Not everyone is born with supermodel cheekbones; some of us have round faces genetically. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t get them. Buccal fat pad removal is a quick and simple cosmetic procedure to create a more heart-shaped face. By thinning the cheeks, we uncover your cheekbones and let them shine. You’ll love seeing contoured cheekbones that were there the whole time.
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Buccal fat pad removal is a cosmetic surgery that removes a small fat pad, known as the buccal fat pad, from the lower cheek. Every person is born with a particular face shape, and some people genetically have a round face with fuller cheeks that lack definition. Removing the buccal fat pads thins the cheeks and defines the cheekbones. The result is a more heart-shaped face.
Generally speaking, anyone with rounder, fuller cheeks is a good candidate for buccal fat removal, although there are exceptions. As we age, we naturally lose volume in our faces, so mature faces don’t often make good candidates for buccal fat pad removal. We strongly encourage you to schedule a consultation before considering buccal fat removal. Dr. Rice, our double board-certified surgeon, will be able to assess your situation and make a proper recommendation.
Every cosmetic surgery procedure at The Esthetics Center begins with a consultation with Dr. Rice and our skilled staff to discuss your goals, concerns, and options. We will also assess your medical history during the consultation to ensure your safety. You can ask any questions you may have and get all the information you need. We believe the best decision is an informed decision.
Buccal fat pad removal is a quick procedure; you should be out of the operating room in an hour. It is also a simple procedure. Buccal fat removal is performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation. During the procedure, two small incisions are made in the mouth for Dr. Rice to remove the buccal fat pads. Then a row of dissolvable sutures closes them up. In roughly one to two weeks, the sutures will fully dissolve. The buccal fat pad removal procedure aims to subtly thin the cheeks to create more contoured cheekbones.
Recovery time for buccal fat pad removal is minimal. Because the procedure is done from within the mouth, there are no visible sutures or scars. This means that patients look presentable within days and can get back to their daily lives quickly post-procedure. Typically, light swelling lasts about a week, but it can persist for up to four weeks. It takes about seven to 10 days for the tissues inside the mouth to recover following buccal fat pad removal. The row of dissolvable sutures in the mouth can take roughly one to two weeks to dissolve fully.
Avoiding strenuous activity and exercise throughout the healing process is important, so patients should plan accordingly. We recommend light walking during this time, though, and then you may gradually resume exercise 4 weeks after surgery.
After post-treatment swelling subsides, you’ll see the full results of buccal fat pad removal. You’ll notice that the cheeks will start to look thinner and more contoured. You’ll be able to enjoy your results permanently because the fat pads can never grow back once they’re removed. But it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle post-procedure so that your facial contour doesn’t change in any other way.
Because buccal fat removal is such a quick procedure, it can be performed with just about any other surgical procedure. It is most commonly performed with submental liposuction, however. Submental liposuction is a great compliment to buccal fat removal because patients with rounder, fuller faces commonly have some fullness around their chin, neck, and jawline as well. Combining these two surgical procedures creates a refined face shape for many of our patients.
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Dr. Rice received his medical degree from Loma Linda University in Southern California where he also completed an internship in general surgery and specialty surgical training in Otolaryngology—head and neck surgery. Dr. Rice went on to complete advanced training in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Institute of Facial Plastic Surgery. He is double board-certified…
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