Buccal Fat Removal or Buccal fat pad extraction is the procedure to remove the fat pads that augment the lower part of the cheeks.
Although a full, filled-out, soft face is often viewed as youthful, some people consider their face to be too full, even chubby.
A buccal fat removal procedure involves removing a naturally-occurring pad of fat in the cheek hollow area called the buccal fat pad. The size of the buccal fat pad varies with each individual patient, and the size may also vary from one side of a person’s face to another. For people with thin narrow faces, buccal fat pad removal surgery is typically not performed, due to the fact that removal of the fat may cause the face to look more gaunt with age.
Preparation Prior To Surgery:
Medical history assessment (any allergies, serious medical condition and all medications taken both prescribed and non prescribed), physical examination, and laboratory tests will be performed during consultation.
Avoid smoking for about 3-4 weeks prior to surgery, as nicotine interferes with circulation and will greatly affect healing process.
Stop drinking alcohol, a week before the surgery and throughout your recovery period.
Taking any medications should be avoided such as hormones, anticoagulants, anabolic steroids and supplements at least 4-6 weeks to prevent complicating medical factors prior to surgery, and also avoid taking aspirin, anti- inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they can increase bleeding.
Surgical Procedures:
During the buccal fat removal, patients are usually under local anesthesia, meaning they will be awake but drowsy and insensitive to pain. The surgeon creates an incision about 2 to 3 cm long between the cheek and gums, starting above the second upper molar towards the back of the mouth. The incision exposes the fascia and fibers of the main cheek muscle (buccinator). By applying pressure externally under the cheek bone, the surgeon causes the buccal fat to protrude through the incision. The surgeon then teases the fat out with forceps or surgical tweezers. After a collective amount is removed, the surgeon then closes the incisions.
Post-Operative Care:
It is normal to feel pain and discomfort after undergoing surgery. With buccal fat removal, patients can expect swelling and difficulty chewing for a few days, up to a week. Most patients usually return to work in about a week following surgery. Be sure to follow your surgeon’s post-op instructions to ensure better healing and to reduce any possible complications
Possible Risks and Complication:
All forms of cosmetic surgery carry some degree of risk. With buccal fat removal, infection and adverse reactions to the anesthetic are the biggest possible risks.
Numbness is normal after undergoing surgery, and usually subsides after a few weeks. Loss of sensation is usually found around the incision lines, on the central cheeks, or the jawline.
In rare cases, the numbness can be a long-term, possibly permanent condition.
