Dr. Priya Kesarwani is the facial plastic surgeon at Cosmedical
Rejuvenation Clinic. As a board certified Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon, Dr. P.
Kesarwani has specialized training in addressing diseases, disorders and aesthetic
concerns involving the head and neck. The cheeks contribute greatly to the overall shape of a person’s face. If you have a lot of buccal fat, you may find that your face is too round, your cheeks are overly chubby and you lack visible definition of your bone structure.
What is buccal fat?
“Buccal” means relating to the cheek. Buccal fat pads are deposits of fat that are located in the middle of the cheeks, beneath the cheekbones. These pads of fat fill in the gaps between deep tissue, provide cushioning and serve as a smooth surface on which facial muscles contract. The amount of buccal fat you have can positively or negatively impact your facial contour, since it adds bulkiness to the cheeks.
The size of buccal fat pads is believed to remain roughly the same throughout a person’s life. While the size may decrease to a certain extent as a person grows older, or shift to a lower position with gravity and tissue laxity (particularly when a person reaches their 50s and over), medical research indicates that weight fluctuations is not a factor.
Therefore, weight loss won’t help decrease the amount of buccal fat you were born with.
Performed by a board certified Otolaryngologist Head and Neck Surgeon
Takes Under an Hour to Complete
Enhances your cheek definition and overall facial contour
What are the benefits of buccal fat removal?
Your cheeks may be too full, rounded, and bulky, to the point where you’ve become unhappy with your appearance. Buccal fat removal reduces the size of your cheeks and recontours them by reducing the amount of fat in the area.
By undergoing this surgical procedure, you may experience these benefits:
- enjoy looking more sculpted because it enhances the outline of your cheekbones and jawline
- look like you’ve lost weight because your face won’t be as round anymore
- no longer have “chipmunk cheeks” or a “baby face” which could positively impact your social and professional relationships
If you’ve ever sucked in your cheeks a bit, you’ll know what this surgery can do for you!
Our facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Priya Kesarwani, has found that younger patients can enjoy a dramatic improvement in their appearance following buccal fat removal surgery, particularly when combined with liposuction targeting a double chin. Buccal fat pad surgery and the removal of a double chin can enhance the delicate tapering of the lower face. Dr. Kesarwani takes great care not to remove too much of the fat in the cheeks, to minimize the risk of undesirable hollows.
The Buccal Fat Removal Surgery
The procedure is a fairly straightforward one. General anesthesia is typically administered.
A short incision is made on the inside of your cheeks. The desired amount of buccal fat is removed through this incision by excision. Liposuction is not an option because of the sensitive nature of the area and the structure of buccal fat. Dissolvable sutures are then applied and the procedure is complete. It usually takes no more than 45 minutes for the entire surgery.
Afterward, bruising, swelling and some discomfort may develop. These should gradually disappear as you recover. Swelling may last for up to three months or so. The sutures will gradually dissolve within 1-2 weeks, so there’s no need to get them removed.
You’ll need to follow the post-op instructions we provide you for a faster, easier recovery. These instructions will include restrictions on physical activity and food (you’ll probably need to limit exercise and stick to softer, easier to eat foods).
Like other surgical procedures, there are risks related to buccal fat removal surgery that you should be aware of. These include undesirable results, infection, hematoma, seroma, and nerve damage.
Buccal fat removal surgery is designed to enhance your facial shape, making you look better (but not like someone else!)