Buccal Fat Removal

Many people want to look slimmer, not just in the body but in the face, as well. For some individuals, filler can help accentuate the cheekbones. However, in patients with round-shaped faces, filler doesn’t always deliver the desired results. An ideal alternative is buccal fat removal. A buccal fat pad adds volume to cheeks and rounds them out. When it’s removed, it allows patients to have the slimmer-looking face they desire. It’s a simple procedure that delivers beautiful and permanent results that patients love.

Located in Waco, Texas, Dr. Charles Guy and the professional team at Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas specialize in several face and neck procedures, including buccal fat removal. Learn more about what buccal fat removal entails and what to expect with the procedure.

Buccal fat is the fat between a person’s cheekbones and jawbones. Buccal fat removal is a surgery to remove the fat in this area of the face.

The shape of a person’s face is dependent on several factors. While some of these factors, such as bone structure, are out of one’s control, others can be changed to achieve the desired appearance. Everyone has buccal fat, but the size of the buccal fat pad varies from person to person. In some cases, it’s a different size in each cheek. This is why some patients naturally have a much rounder face shape.

Removing buccal fat will highlight the bone structure in the face, especially the cheekbones and the hollowed-out areas between the cheeks and jawline. The goal of buccal fat removal is to thin the cheeks, providing patients with the slimmer face they desire.

Buccal fat removal can be an ideal procedure for anyone who believes the roundness in their cheeks creates a fullness that leaves them unsatisfied with their appearance. Ideal candidates for this procedure are:

• Patients who are physically healthy and at a stable weight
• Non-smokers
• Individuals self-conscious about how their cheeks look

Patients undergoing buccal fat removal will receive a local anesthetic to numb the skin on the face for a pain-free procedure. The surgery can take place either at the office or in one of the state-of-the-art operating rooms (OR) at Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas.

To remove the fat pad, small incisions will be made on the inside of the patient’s mouth on both sides of the face. Next, by way of gently pressing on them, the fat pads are further exposed and then cut to be removed. The incisions are then properly closed.

It’s common for patients to experience some slight bruising to the outer cheeks, but the majority will be in the mouth where people cannot see. Additionally, there likely will be some initial swelling that goes down over the following two to three weeks. Patients aren’t required to wear a wrap but using cool compresses to the area can help with the swelling.

The results of buccal fat removal surgery may take some time to notice due to the swelling that takes place. Patients should not get discouraged if it takes several months to see the desired results, as the cheeks gradually contour to their new appearance.

Before patients exit the facility, they will be given detailed instructions on what to do to promote proper healing. Patients must follow these after-care instructions carefully, as doing so will reduce healing time. Patients usually can return to normal activities after a few days of rest.

Although buccal fat removal is regarded as a very safe procedure, there are always risks when it comes to plastic surgery. Patients should seek medical attention should they experience any of the following:

• Excessive bleeding
• Signs of infection, such as a fever or skin that’s red and hot to the touch
• An abnormal taste in the mouth

At Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas, Dr. Charles Guy and his team are proud of the outstanding reputation they’ve earned. They feel honored to help clients achieve the look they’ve always desired through a wide range of professional services, specializing in procedures from the collarbone up, including buccal fat removal. Dr. Guy’s facility in Waco, TX, means clients don’t need to travel to Dallas or Austin to receive professional plastic surgery services. Contact Facial Plastic Surgery of Central Texas today for more information on how to lose face fat, or to learn more about safe and effective cosmetic surgery.