The buccal fat pad is a rounded mass of fat that sits in the middle of your cheek. It is located in the hollow area beneath the cheekbone, between the facial muscles. The buccal fat pad helps to cushion the chewing muscles and it can extend up to the temple as part of a larger collection of fat.
The size of the buccal fat pad tends to vary from person to person influencing the unique face shape. For some individuals, however, an overgrown buccal fat pad can add excessive fullness to the lower face. Although there is nothing wrong with having a face that is too round or full, if you’d like to make your cheeks smaller you can consult with a Board Certified Surgeon who would likely recommend Buccal Fat Removal.
What is Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal, also known as buccal lipectomy or cheek reduction surgery, is a type of Plastic Surgery designed to decrease fullness in the middle and lower cheek area. The procedure involves surgically removing the buccal fat pads in the cheeks thus thinning the cheeks and defining the facial angles.
Buccal fat removal in Dubai can be done alone or in conjunction with other Plastic Surgery procedures such as:
- Rhinoplasty
- Facelift
- Lip augmentation
- Chin implants
- Botox injections
Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Reduction
To be the ideal candidate for buccal fat removal, you should:
- Have a stable weight and not be overweight
- Be in good physical health
- Have a round, fuller face
- Feel insecure about the fullness of your cheeks
- Have pseudoherniation (a small rounded mass of fat in the cheek area due to a weak buccal fat pad)
- Be a nonsmoker
- Have realistic expectations
Buccal fat removal is not for everyone and you may not be a good candidate for this procedure if you:
- Have a narrow face. Undergoing buccal fat removal when you have a naturally thin face might cause you to have sunken cheeks as you age
- Are older. Because we naturally lose fat as we age, this procedure will likely emphasize the signs of aging such as the jowls
- Have progressive hemifacial atrophy. This is a rare disorder that affects the buccal fat pad, causing the skin on one side of the face to shrink
Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal
By decreasing the amount of buccal fat in the cheeks, the lower face is contoured thereby infusing more definition and symmetry to facial features.
The Procedure
Buccal fat removal is done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. However, if it is being done alongside other procedures, your Plastic Surgeon might opt for general anesthesia.
During the procedure, your Plastic Surgeon will make an incision on the inside of the cheek near the upper molar teeth. Pressure is put on the outside of the cheek to further expose the buccal fat pad. The fat pad is then cut and removed. The Plastic Surgeon finally closes the incision with dissolvable sutures.
Recovery and Results
After the procedure, you’ll be given a special mouthwash to prevent infection. You will also be informed on how to care for the incision.
You may experience bruising, tenderness, and swelling on your face but these fade away as you are healing.
You will be put on a liquid-only diet for several days and expected to slowly progress to a normal diet by eating soft foods.
Full recovery takes about 3 weeks and the optimal results become visible in the course of several months as the cheeks take time to settle into their new shape.
To Know More
Would you like to understand what options are available for Buccal Fat Removal in Dubai? Meet one of our experts at Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery for a personal consultation to develop a tailor-made plan for you. Contact us or Book an appointment and our patient care coordinators will identify the most suitable expert for you.
