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Buccal Fat Removal

Facial rejuvenation with buccal fat reduction

Are you considering buccal fat removal? This type of plastic surgery involves surgically removing the buccal fat pads in your cheeks in order to thin them out and better define facial angles. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about buccal fat removal, including what the procedure entails, who is a good candidate, and what the recovery process looks like.

Wondering if a blepharoplasty could help you?

What is buccal fat removal?

Buccal fat removal is a type of plastic surgery that involves surgically removing the buccal fat pads in your cheeks in order to thin them out and better define facial angles. Buccal fat removal can be done alone or in conjunction with other forms of plastic surgery, such as a facelift, rhinoplasty, chin implants, lip augmentation, or Botox injections.

You might be a good candidate for buccal fat removal if you are physically healthy and at a healthy weight with realistic expectations who does not smoke and either has larger than average buccal fat pads or pseudoherniation (a small rounded mass of fat due to weak muscles).

What are the benefits of buccal fat reduction surgery?

By undergoing buccal fat reduction, you can achieve a more defined cheekbone and increased facial balance due to the removal of excess fat. Additional benefits of this type of plastic surgery include:

  • Enhanced prominence of cheekbones and cheek hollow;
  • Improved facial feature contouring to appear more angular;
  • Gentle procedure performed under local anesthesia;
  • Incisions are placed inside your mouth next to the upper molars, so you will not see a visible scar;
  • There is minimal downtime without a long or painful recovery period;
  • The removed fat can be transferred back to the cheeks, as a permanent filler, to enhance their definition.

See Before and After Patient Photos on Instagram

How is buccal fat removal performed?

The procedure usually takes place in a hospital or doctor’s office and requires local anesthesia (although you will be awake during the procedure) unless multiple surgeries are being performed simultaneously, in which case general anesthesia may be used instead. After making an incision inside your cheek, your surgeon will remove the desired amount of fats before closing up the wound with dissolvable stitches.

Am I a good candidate for buccal fat pad removal?

For ideal buccal fat reduction results, it is important that patients have realistic expectations and observe chubby-cheeked features that are unlikely to reduce with age (we often consult family photos to make this assessment).

Do you think buccal fat reduction is a suitable option for you? Consider the following questions:

  • If you are concerned about your facial fat in your cheeks, a consultation with a qualified cosmetic surgeon can help you get an answer.
  • What is your parents’ facial volume like? It is natural to experience fuller cheeks in one’s twenties, and this volume often disappears with age. Therefore, those whose parents have thin cheeks may wish to avoid this procedure in order to prevent the face looking gaunt as they age. Buccal fat reduction may not be suitable for them.
  • Have you attempted to reduce your body fat by exercising and altering your diet?
  • Have you looked into non-surgical cosmetic treatments like augmenting your cheekbones with hyaluronic acid injections?
Request a consultation with Dr. Mourad to learn more about buccal fat removal

What happens during a buccal fat removal consultation?

Benefit from a thorough consultation process with a board-certified plastic surgeon

Beginning a consultation consists of a full questionnaire and physical assessment. We explicitly look at skin flexibility and abundance of facial fat. Pictures are taken for review along with your surgeon. This is a critical communication mechanism as certain patients wish for alterations that can’t always be achieved surgically.

If you have photos available, we can also analyze them to get more insights about your parents.

Buccal fat removal New York – Choose a recognized plastic surgeon

Patients who visit Dr. Mourad are provided with a thorough initial consultation, where they can discuss the details of their surgery and recovery needs. During that time, Dr. Mourad will answer any queries they have regarding the buccal fat removal procedure.

If you’re considering a buccal fat removal in New York, it’s best to schedule multiple consultations to be fully informed. Cosmetic facial surgery is a significant decision, so make sure you have all the knowledge available before proceeding. Contact us to arrange your consultation today!

How do I prepare myself for a buccal fat pad reduction consultation?

Start by prioritizing which facial features you’d like to improve. Examples could include weak cheekbones, a weak chin, or jowls. Areas such as submental fat, neck platysmal bands, and others might also be considerations. Are your eyebrows, eyes, nose, and lips areas that you would like to enhance?

Please explain your facial features before undergoing a buccal fat removal procedure.

Gather some recent pictures of your parents and some from when they were your age. Lastly, if you’ve had cosmetic fillers injected into your face, find out what product and when. If you have previously undergone a plastic surgery procedure on your face, bring the operative report with you if possible.

How can Dr. Mourad help you?

When you contact our office, our friendly staff will ask for your basic information and set up an appointment time that is convenient for you. If there is an insurance component to your visit we will check your benefits and let you know what they are. We have a no surprise billing policy and will let you know your responsibility. Dr. Mourad has extensive eyelid and facial surgery experience to address your aesthetic needs. If you feel that you would like an evaluation of your eyes or other facial features please feel free to contact our office.