Buccal Fat Removal | Procedure, Before & After, Risks & Recovery

Buccal fat removal has become a fashionable cosmetic surgery for thinner cheeks. The process itself is relatively straightforward.

The buccal fat cushion is a rounded fat mass in the middle of the cheeks. It is located between the facial muscles in the hollow area of the cheekbone. The size of your fat cushion can affect your face shape.

A buccal fat removal is a procedure where fat deposits are removed to reshape the face and achieve a thinner, chiseled appearance.

Buccal Fat Removal Before And After

Underneath, you can find before and after pictures of Buccal Fat Removal.

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is also known as buccal lipectomy or cheek reduction surgery, which takes 30 minutes.

The excessive fat deposits on the cheeks are removed. It can be a surgery performed by itself or alongside another form of plastic surgery like facelifts, rhinoplasty, chin implants, lip augmentations, and Botox.

The patient is asked to sign a declaration of consent in which he or she understands the procedure and the risks and side effects associated with the operation.

The patient should also discuss their questions and concerns with the surgeon before and after the procedure. During the surgical procedure, medications are administered for your well-being.

Intravenous sedation or general anesthesia is available. Your doctor will recommend the best choice. Some buccal fat removal surgeries require an incision on the inside of the mouth or on the inside of the cheek.

The cut will be closed completely. However, buccal fat deposits can be removed during a facelift and do not require incisions in the mouth.

Buccal Fat Removal Cost

The buccal fat removal procedure is not recommended for patients with thin or narrow faces, people with Parry-Romberg syndrome, or older people, as it can cause a gaunt ‘sunken in’ appearance.

The ideal candidate for buccal fat removal is someone with a healthy weight, fuller cheeks, someone with pseudogenization, a non-smoker, and facial feminization surgery. The Buccal Fat Removal procedure can cost between, on average, $2.000-$5000.

But the costs for buccal fat removal will depend on the geographical location and the facility where your procedure is performed.

By visiting the American Society of Plastic Surgeons website, ensure your surgeon is a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Buccal Fat Removal Risks

While there are many benefits, there are also risks and side effects associated with the Buccal Fat Removal procedure. Complication risk includes:

• bleeding
• infection
• damage to surrounding tissues
• slow recovery time
• an unbalanced appearance over time
• swelling on one cheek
• hematomas
• fluid retention
• numbness
• pain
• salivary canal injury
• facial nerve injury
• facial paralysis
• facial muscle weakness
• asymmetric facial appearance

Buccal Fat Removal is not recommended for people with life-threatening or serious illnesses. It is important to consult a doctor before and after fat removal to share your medical history.

The risks of removing buccal fat deposits are considerable, so it is important for patients to understand these risks before and during treatment. In this way, they can assess the risks and benefits of the process and plan accordingly.

Buccal Fat Removal Recovery

You will be able to continue normal activities and exercise shortly after surgery. Your surgeon may also instruct you to perform a special mouthwash to reduce the risk of infection.

After the operation to remove the buccal fat, you may be instructed to eat a liquid diet for several days or longer. The next day you should be able to resume your usual activities.

The healing will continue for several weeks as the swelling decreases. Continue to follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions and take part in follow-up examinations as planned.

Your face will likely look fuller during your recovery than before your procedure, and most swelling will disappear within three weeks. It can take up to three months to see the full results when your skin settles back into the space that was hollowed out by fat removal.

When the buccal fat deposits go away, they are gone forever, and the results are permanent.