High, well-defined cheekbones play an important role for facial beauty. But for some people, even sticking to a healthy diet and regular exercise program can’t produce the sculpted facial aesthetic that they desire. Due to genetics, some patients simply have a bit more fat in the cheek area, regardless of their overall weight.
However, there is a solution to this aesthetic issue. Buccal fat removal is a minimally-invasive procedure that directly targets cheek fat. Learn more about this highly-sought procedure that can produce runway-worthy cheeks.
Buccal Fat Removal 101
The buccal fat pad is located deep in the cheek and tends to be more prominent in young children. As you age, part of this fat usually loses volume over time. If this volume is not lost, it is likely caused by having naturally prominent buccal fat pads, which can produce a childlike appearance or even cause you to look overweight. If this is the case, weight loss alone through diet and exercise may not reduce cheek fullness.
That’s where buccal fat removal can help. This procedure easily targets fat deep within the cheek to produce improved definition to the cheekbone area. The procedure is minimally invasive, as there is no external scar, and produces results that beautifully highlight your natural anatomy.
During the procedure, a small incision is made inside each cheek. The fat is then extracted and the incisions are carefully sutured. The amount of fat removed will be determined by your cosmetic goals and the extent of your cheek fullness. Dr. Schmidt is careful to leave enough fat to maintain a healthy, balanced appearance while still allowing your cheekbones to be visible and more defined.
The entire procedure usually takes between one and two hours and is often performed under local anesthetic, making recovery very tolerable. It’s common for patients to experience some swelling and soreness, and these symptoms usually peak at around 3-5 days after surgery. You may have light residual swelling in the weeks that follow, but you should be camera-ready by around 4-6 weeks after the procedure.
Is Buccal Fat Removal Right for You?
Ideal candidates for buccal fat removal include healthy men and women who:
- Feel that they have a “chubby-appearing” face
- Want to reduce overly prominent cheeks
- Desire a more chiseled facial appearance without the use of implants
- Are seeking a permanent solution
It’s important for patients to understand that buccal fat removal is not intended to reduce cheek fullness that is the result of being overweight. However, if you’ve reached your goal weight and you still have unwanted cheek fullness, then this surgery might be just what you need to achieve your ideal look. If you have excess fat deposits throughout the rest of the face, you may want to consider the benefits of facial liposuction. This procedure allows for the targeted removal of fat deposits in common problem areas, such as the neck and below the jawline (“double chin” area). Buccal fat removal is often paired with facial liposuction to further refine the facial contours.
Learn More by Scheduling a Consultation
The best way to learn if this procedure is right for you is by meeting with a plastic surgeon. Take the next step by scheduling a personal consultation with board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Schmidt. He can help you decide which procedure would best meet your needs. Contact our office to get started.
