Buccal Fat Pad Removal – Info You Need to Know

One of the latest hot trends in the world of celebrity plastic surgery is buccal fat pad removal. There have been multiple celebrities who have either confirmed they had the procedure, or they are suspected of having this cosmetic procedure. Let’s take a look at why it is performed, some celebrity gossip surrounding the procedure, and how you can tell if the treatment is an ideal option for any changes you want to make to your appearance.

Let’s start our examination of buccal fat pad removal with the latest about the procedure from Cosmetic Town TV:

Buccal Fat – What is It and Who Has It?

The buccal fat in the body sits between the cheek and the jawbone and it is one of the reasons that the cheeks can gain a filled look. This fat pad is considered to be about the size of a grape and can give the cheeks a chubby look. If it is removed from the body, the cheeks gain a look that is shrunken or “sucked in” as well as a more prominent look to the bone structure of the face.

An ideal candidate for buccal fat pad removal is a person that wants a slimmer appearance to the cheeks along with a stronger look to the cheeks. The removal of the buccal fat enhances the appearance of the treated area by giving the cheekbones a look that has a greater amount of definition.

Patients who are interested in having the surgery need to know that the removal of the buccal fat can give a person who already has a strong bone structure a more skeletal look to the treated area. Plus, people will naturally lose facial fat as they age so this needs to be considered before the decision is made to remove buccal fat from the face.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal – Celebrity Speculation

When it comes to celebrities and buccal fat pad removal, singer and actress Lea Michele is the latest celebrity in the spotlight when it comes to this procedure. A recent photo was posted online that appeared to show her with a newly defined jawline as well as hollow cheeks and high cheekbones. The photo resulted in a buzz of gossip about her appearance and started speculation about possible buccal fat pad removal. Lea Michele has not responded to any gossip about her new appearance.

On the other hand, Chrissy Teigen is a celebrity who is never afraid to share news about the changes she has made in her appearance over the years. Teigen confirmed that she had her buccal fat removed back in 2021 and was very open with her fans on Instagram about having the procedure.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal – How is It Performed by a Surgeon?

The surgery can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Either anesthesia option works to keep the patient comfortable and free of pain during the procedure.

Buccal fat pad removal starts with the creation of an incision located inside the cheeks. The incision is made so the doctor can remove the buccal fat from the targeted area. It is not necessary to remove the entire fat pad even though this is an option for patients. The amount of the fat pad that is removed can be tailored to meet the specific changes the patient wants to see after the surgery. In addition, the amount of the fat pad that is removed might be determined by the specific anatomy of the patient.

Once the incision is created on the inside lining of the cheeks, it is also moved in a direction that goes towards the gum. This allows the fibers of the main cheek muscle to become exposed. Then, external pressure is applied below the cheekbone in order for the buccal fat pad to stick out through the incision. Once the desired amount of fat is removed by the surgeon, the remaining part of the fat pad (if any) is put back into position so the incisions can be closed with sutures.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal – Info About Recovery and Results

As the recovery period begins, patients can expect to see some swelling and bruising around the area where the incision was created. Even though there will be some immediate results, they might not be visible thanks to the amount of swelling. It can take up to twelve weeks (three months) to see the final results.

You need to keep in mind that the results should be permanent unless you gain a significant amount of extra weight in the time after the surgery. The gaining of the extra weight can cause the cheeks to become chubby in appearance again.

If you are interested in buccal fat pad removal, perform proper research, and make sure your doctor of choice is trained and experienced in performing the surgery. Ask to see “before and after” photos of actual patients treated by the doctor so you can get a better idea of the type of results you can expect to see and the extent of the results that can be achieved from the procedure.

- MA