What is Buccal Fat Removal?

If you have an excess of buccal fat, your face may be full, rounded or you might have what is called a babyface. Often it can give the appearance of being overweight when you are not. Removing fullness from the lower facial area and adding volume to the mid-face can refine the facial features providing more definition and contour. The removal of fat from the buccal pad is often combined with chin and neck liposuction to enhance your profile and give your facial features a more refined and sculpted look.

What Are the Benefits?

Buccal fat removal offers benefits such as:

• Definition of the cheeks;
• Highlights cheekbones;
• Enhances contour of the face;
• Enhances facial symmetry.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?

Ultimately your surgeon will determine if you are a candidate for buccal fat removal, however; these are some of the factors that will be taken into consideration:

• Overall health;
• You are within approximately 30% of your healthy weight;
• Your cheeks are rounded or contain excess fat;
• You are unhappy with your cheeks, they are too full or teased as chipmunk cheeks as a kid
• Your expectations are realistic;
• You are a non-smoker.

If your face is thin or naturally narrow, you may not be a good candidate for buccal fat removal. Through the natural progression of aging, the amount of fat in our faces diminishes, we lose that youthful volume, and some individuals turn to derma fillers. Prematurely removing buccal fat from these individuals will ultimately cause sunken cheeks and may emphasize jowls and other natural signs of aging.

What Should I Expect from the Procedure?

The buccal fat reduction procedure begins with the surgeon representing the design plan on your lower cheeks using skin markings. Next, a medicine used to numb your cheeks will be injected into the cheeks through the inside of your mouth, very similar to when you go to the dentist. Small incisions are made on the inside of your cheeks and the buccal fat is removed using a medical tool that uses heat. Self-dissolving sutures are then used to close the incisions so there is no stitch removal necessary. You will be provided aftercare instructions as well as a special mouthwash to use that will help prevent infection. For the first few days, you will need to adhere to a liquid diet, adding soft foods as your recovery progresses and working up to your normal diet when your stitches are completely healed. You will most likely experience swelling and bruising but should be fully recovered in approximately three weeks. It often takes a few months for the final results to be revealed. If you are combining buccal fat reduction surgery with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as chin and neck liposuction, blepharoplasty, and others, general anesthesia may be used.

How Long Do the Results Last?

Buccal fat reduction results are considered permanent. Personal results can change if you experience weight fluctuation and also due to the natural process of aging. Looking for a incisionless solution to contour you face and neck? Check out our FaceTite™ pocedure.

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost in Atlanta, GA?

Often Buccal fat removal is done along with other facial rejuvenation procedures to offer optimal results. The cost of surgery depends on several factors and varies by patient. Our team will discuss the details of your surgery with you during an initial consultation. At that time, they will also share information with you regarding our financing options. If you desire a thinner, sleeker, more sculpted face and a more contoured profile, schedule a consultation at SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics. Angelina Postoev, MD, FACS, a triple-board certified cosmetic surgeon, and Christopher Ibikunle, MD, FACS, offer buccal fat removal for men and women in Lawrenceville, Suwanee, Johns Creek, Buckhead, and the surrounding areas of Atlanta, Georgia.