Buccal Fat Removal

Many people now seek an improvement in facial contour and definition in the areas of the midface and jawline. Sometimes, excess fatty tissue can create unwanted facial fullness. Buccal fat removal is an elective plastic surgery procedure to remove fat in the lower cheek, which gives the bottom part of the face a narrower shape and emphasizes the cheekbones and jawline. Dr. Ektor specializes in the buccal fat removal procedure, as well as the full range of facial cosmetic surgery, giving you the opportunity to obtain an expert opinion and outcome.

FACIAL CONTOUR TRANSFORMATION

Buccal fat is a pad of adipose tissue (fat) in the cheek below each cheekbone. The size and shape of these pads varies from person to person. More fat in the buccal region can give the face a round appearance.

Removing buccal fat can make the cheekbones more defined and by creating a shadow contrast between the cheekbones and the lower jaw while making the face look less round and more V-shaped. Some or all buccal fat may be removed during the procedure, depending on the desired facial shape. Buccal fat pads do not grow back, so the results are long-lasting. However, there are other fat cells in the face that may expand if there is significant weight gain.

Benefits for Your Face and Neck:

Increased definition in the cheekbones and the jawline area
Makes face appear less round
Permanent result

THE TECHNIQUE

Once you have consulted with your surgeon, agreed on goals, and discussed all other concerns, your procedure will be scheduled. The buccal fat removal procedure takes about 60 minutes.

During the procedure:

You will be given either general anesthesia or local anesthesia (numbing medication injected into the inside of the cheek with a needle) with sedation.
When you are asleep or completely numb, the surgeon makes a small incision (cut) inside the cheek.

The soft buccal fat pad, visible to the surgeon, is grasped by forceps and moved through the incision. The surgeon then removes the desired amount of buccal fat pad to achieve the desired result.
The incision is closed with dissolvable sutures (stitches).
The process is repeated on the other cheek.

COMPLEMENT WITH FACETITE

FaceTite is the most advanced high-precision RF device available today for skin tightening and facial contouring, and it is a great technique to think about when considering a buccal fat removal procedure.

The device will deliver controlled heat to the delicate and small areas of your face, maximizing the safety and benefits of RFAL (radiofrequency assisted lipolysis) technology. The treatment can be performed using only local tumescent anesthesia in the comfort of our office. The doctor will create a small incision to insert a tiny probe through which RF energy will be delivered into the deeper skin layers. The heat will liquefy the fat cells, while triggering the production of new collagen and elastin fibers.

The treated areas will become slimmer and more youthful with the fat cells getting eliminated, while the skin will regain firmness and volume as collagen formation continues to occur in the deeper tissue over several weeks and months. FaceTite can be an excellent choice for midface and jawline contouring.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FACETITE

SAFETY AND COMFORT

Buccal Fat removal is a safe and relatively simple procedure. Your surgery can be completed in about 60 minutes in the comfort of our office, under local anaesthesia and sedation. No post-operative bandage wrap is required, and the sutures used inside the mouth are dissolvable.

RECOVERY

Bruising and swelling are normal after buccal fat removal. Plan to take 2 to 3 days away from work and normal activities.
During the first day or two, eating softer foods may feel more comfortable.The healing incisions inside of your mouth may be sore for a while, and the numbness around the incision may persist for several weeks. Pain at the incision sites is normal and can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs applied to the outside of the jaw. Buccal Fat removal involves minimal downtime, and most patients would be able to go back to their normal work routine in about two to three days after the procedure. It is important to avoid eating hard foods for the first week. While the results are often noticeable within a few days, you will continue to experience improvement in contour definition in the treated areas over several months as the swelling subsides.