Buccal Fat Pad Removal Facial Rejuvenation

The buccal fat pad is an encapsulated and fibrous fat mass in the cheeks and it is located in the posterior region of the cheeks next to where the molars are located in the mouth. Buccal fat pad removal, AKA, cheek reduction surgery, is performed to reduce the appearance of prominent cheeks so patients can enjoy more contoured and slimmer cheeks. Buccal fat pad removal facial rejuvenation has enjoyed a growth in popularity over the last few years and Cosmetic Town receives many questions about how the procedure is performed. In order to answer the questions we receive from our viewers, Cosmetic Town TV recently took an in-depth look at buccal fat pad removal facial rejuvenation:

Buccal Fat Pad Removal Facial Rejuvenation Procedure and Ideal Patients

Buccal fat pad removal is performed in the office of a doctor and it usually takes about an hour to perform. The cosmetic surgeon makes an incision that is around 2 or 3-cm in the inside lining of each cheek starting with the second upper molar located at the back of the mouth. The cosmetic surgeon continues the incision by moving towards the gums in the mouth. The incision is made to expose the main cheek muscle AKA the fascia and fibers of the buccinators. The doctor then applies external pressure to the area just below the cheekbone so the buccal fat pad will stick out through the incision. Once the buccal fat pad is protruding through the incision, the cosmetic doctor removes a portion of the fat using a laser, surgical tweezers or a radio wave device. Once the designated portion of the fat is removed, the part of the fat pad that remains is moved back into the area under the incision. The incisions are then closed using sutures that dissolve on their own.

Patients looking to gain a more contoured facial appearance can have additional treatments performed at the same time as buccal fat pad removal facial rejuvenation. Liposuction can be performed at the same time to remove any fatty deposits and give patients a more refined contour. In addition, cheek reduction surgery can be performed at the same time as a facelift, eyelid surgery or a brow lift.

Patients that are looking to undergo buccal fat pad removal should desire a slimmer look and better definition to their face. In addition, patients that want to achieve a more prominent look to their cheeks can have buccal fat pad removal facial rejuvenation to reduce the amount of excess fat in their cheeks.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal Facial Rejuvenation Cost, Recovery and Results

The cost of buccal fat pad removal can vary depending on the area of the country where it is performed and any fees charged by the doctor or the facility. In general, the cost is anywhere from $2000-$5500. The cost can increase if other procedures are performed at the same time.

When it comes to the recovery process for buccal fat pad removal facial rejuvenation surgery, the recovery time is not very long since there are no external incisions during the procedure. There might be some pain, bruising and discomfort after the surgery but all of this fades after a few days.  The recovery process will be faster if the patient sleeps with the head elevated so the cheeks are above the heart. Patients are advised to eat soft food for 3-5 days after buccal fat pad removal surgery since there will be some numbness around the incisions and the jawline for a few days to a few weeks. After about a week of downtime, patients can return to work. However, they should avoid strenuous activities for about two months.

After buccal fat pad removal facial rejuvenation is performed, there will be some results that are immediately noticeable even with all of the bruising and swelling. The total amount of change seen in the cheeks depends on the amount of fat removed by the cosmetic surgeon. While it takes a few weeks for any swelling to completely go away, it takes about three months for the final results to be visible. It can take a little longer for the final results to appear if any additional procedures are performed at the same time. Scarring is not an issue inside the mouth. The final results of buccal fat pad removal facial rejuvenation should be permanent provided the patient follows a healthy diet and does not put on any extra weight that can cause the cheeks to become chubby once again.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal Facial Rejuvenation Consultation

Once a patient decides to have buccal fat pad removal surgery, it is time to schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified surgeon that is experienced in providing the results desired by patients. The doctor should be able to show “before and after” photos of actual patients so a person can get a better idea of the results provided by the surgeon. In addition, the cosmetic surgeon will examine the patient to make sure the person is an idea candidate for buccal fat pad removal facial rejuvenation. The surgeon will also set realistic expectations for the patient so the person will not be surprised or disappointed by the final results achieved by a buccal fat pad removal facial rejuvenation procedure. 

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