People with rounder faces often have more fat in their cheek area. Buccal fat removal surgery can help lessen this fullness and give a more sculpted look to the cheeks for both men and women, regardless of age.

The Buccal Fat Removal Process: What to Expect

Buccal fat removal surgery is a relatively simple procedure that usually takes less than an hour to complete. During the surgery, you’ll receive local anesthesia, ensuring that you won’t feel any pain.

Once the anesthesia takes effect, the surgeon will make small incisions inside each cheek to access the buccal fat pads. Using specialized forceps, the surgeon will carefully extract the unnecessary adipose tissue.

After the buccal fat pads have been removed, the surgeon will stitch the incision sites with sutures that naturally dissolve over time, eliminating the need for removal. This process helps to contour the cheeks, providing a more defined facial structure.

The Ideal Candidate

When it comes to buccal fat removal surgery, the ideal candidate is at a healthy weight. Buccal fat surgery should not be considered a shortcut to slimming or trimming down fat on the face. It is an option for individuals who have tried exercise and a proper diet but are still unsatisfied with their facial contour.

The best candidates for buccal fat surgery are also those with good overall health and no complications in healing.

Those who are considering the procedure must stop smoking for at least four to six weeks before and after the surgery. Drinking alcohol for at least two days before and after the procedure is not recommended as well.

Recovering After Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

The recovery period for buccal fat removal is typically about three weeks, during which some swelling and bruising may occur—a natural and expected part of the healing journey.

Most patients find they can comfortably return to work and resume their usual activities within five to seven days. While there may be some initial soreness and numbness around the incision areas, these sensations are temporary and generally subside within four to six weeks.

Our team will provide you with pain management options to ease any discomfort. Additionally, a gentle application of a cold compress can effectively reduce swelling in the jaw area.

You’ll begin to notice the positive changes as the swelling diminishes, usually around one and a half weeks post-surgery. The full, transformative effects of your buccal fat removal will be visible at the two-month mark, revealing a more defined and contoured facial profile.

The Importance of a Professional Consultation

When you’re considering any type of plastic surgery, it’s best to always consult a board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Pakeman. He will listen to your appearance goals and recommend the best procedure for you.

During the consultation, you will be asked to discuss your complete medical history to assess your eligibility for the procedure. You may also need to take a few lab tests to confirm that the procedure will be safe for your overall health.

Once you are eligible for buccal fat removal, Dr. Pakeman will begin discussing surgical techniques in detail to help you visualize the possible results.

It is highly recommended to ask all your questions during the consultation to help you feel more confident and make a final decision on your facial contour journey.

Contact Us to Learn More

Interested in a buccal fat surgery in New York City? Contact Manhattan Surgical Care and schedule your consultation. Dr. Pakeman will be available to hear out your appearance goals and looks forward to supporting you in enhancing your facial contours.