Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic surgery to define facial contours by reducing cheek fat. Buccal fat lies deep within the cheeks, between the facial muscles and below the cheekbones. These fat pads significantly influence your appearance.
If you have a naturally full or round face and would prefer to look more mature and refined, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Parker Velargo at New Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery can help. But first, let’s start by describing this procedure and its benefits.
What Is Buccal Fat Removal, and How Does It Work?
Many people with “cherub cheeks” want a sleeker facial appearance. Removing the fat pads on both sides of the face results in a thinner contour.
A skilled surgeon can easily separate excess buccal fat from other facial structures, making this surgery an ideal choice for anyone who is dissatisfied with unwanted fullness in their midface region. Dr. Velargo performs buccal fat reduction inside the mouth, so there is no risk of visible scarring.
While buccal fat reduction offers excellent results as a stand-alone surgery, many of our patients choose to pair it with complementary procedures like chin augmentation or neck liposuction to deliver optimal facial contours.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?
In general, many healthy adults with excess cheek fat are well-qualified to get this surgery. Skilled surgeons will tailor the amount of fat to remove based on your desired outcome. However, if your face is already thin and narrow, Dr. Velargo may caution against pursuing this procedure, since most people lose facial fat with age.
During your consultation, Dr. Velargo will discuss the benefits of buccal fat removal and what to expect during the healing process. He will also answer your questions and address your concerns, ensuring you are a well-educated patient with enough information to make wise decisions.
How Long Does the Buccal Fat Removal Procedure Take?
Buccal fat removal requires general or local anesthesia. First, Dr. Velargo will make tiny incisions inside your cheeks to access the buccal fat. Next, he will carefully remove precise amounts of fat with specialized tools like surgical scissors and hemostats. Lastly, he’ll close the incisions with dissolvable sutures. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour, and you’ll return home the same day.
What Happens After the Buccal Fat Removal Procedure?
If you’re considering plastic surgery, mental preparation and realistic expectations are essential. Here’s how to recover successfully from your buccal fat removal procedure with Dr. Velargo.
Immediately After Surgery
Buccal fat removal is an outpatient procedure, so you can return home immediately after surgery. We’ll provide you with detailed aftercare instructions. As the local anesthetic wears off, you will start experiencing some pain, which you can manage by taking prescription medications and applying ice packs.
Eating a liquid diet is vital to avoid irritating your incisions and causing infection. Make sure to rest as much as possible, keeping your head elevated. Finally, avoid touching your sutures with your teeth or tongue.
One to Two Days After Surgery
Pain and swelling are typical during the first couple of days after surgery. Continue following your post-procedural directions on taking your prescribed medications and using ice packs. You’ll also need to rinse with a special mouthwash to prevent infection.
Stick to liquid foods and follow up with Dr. Velargo on your recovery progress. Regularly getting up and walking around the house is vital to keep blood flowing, but avoid activities that elevate your heart rate, such as bending and lifting.
One Week After Surgery
You can gradually transition to a soft food diet within one to two weeks of surgery. Proceed with caution, since chewing too aggressively can disrupt your incisions. Swelling and pain should begin to subside at this point, and you may feel well enough to stop taking prescription painkillers. It’s normal to have bruising still, but this will begin to fade over the coming weeks.
You may be able to return to light activities and desk-based work at this point, but you should still get plenty of rest and avoid too much activity. You might not feel comfortable going out in public until the bruising and swelling subside.
Two to Three Weeks After Surgery
A complete recovery from buccal fat removal can take two to three weeks. You can generally return to your regular schedule and eating habits at this point, but check in with Dr. Velargo before resuming your exercise regimen. You may still have residual swelling, which can take several months to subside as your new facial contours settle in. However, most bruising should fade in two to three weeks, allowing you to go back to your daily life.
How Long Does Recovery From Buccal Fat Removal Take?
Many people ask how long they’ll need to heal after buccal fat reduction surgery. While everyone recovers at a different rate, most people only take a couple of days of downtime before resuming their routines.
Often, Dr. Velargo’s patients report feeling back to normal after one week, though it typically takes two to three weeks for the bruising to fade and several more weeks after that for the remaining swelling to subside. If you combine buccal fat removal with other facial procedures, you could require a longer recovery period.
It’s imperative to attend any post-operative appointments with Dr. Velargo so he can monitor your recovery to ensure optimal results.
When Can I See My Buccal Fat Removal Results?
You may notice an immediate improvement, but the swelling and bruising will probably obscure it somewhat.
Within two weeks, most aftereffects should subside enough to allow you to go back to work, social activities, and your fitness regimen.
Your face will take several months to settle into its new contours after surgery, but most patients are happy with their cheek reduction even when the healing remains unfinished.
Buccal fat removal results are typically permanent, but future weight gain could compromise the outcome.
Are There Any Precautions I Should Take Before Buccal Fat Removal Surgery?
In preparing for buccal fat removal surgery, Dr. Velargo may ask you to:
- Get lab testing
- Adjust your current medications or temporarily stop taking them
- Stop smoking
- Avoid aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements to reduce excess bleeding risk
What Can I Expect During the Buccal Fat Removal Consultation?
During your buccal fat reduction consultation, you should prepare to discuss:
- Known medical conditions, including drug allergies
- Your surgical goals
- What medications, herbal supplements, and vitamins you currently take
- Alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drug consumption
- Previous surgeries
Dr. Velargo may also also:
- Assess your facial contours
- Take photos
- Evaluate your overall health and existing conditions
- Discuss surgical and non-surgical options
- Explain the potential risks and complications
Your surgical success depends on you being candid during your consultation. You’ll need to honestly answer questions about your health, aesthetic goals, and lifestyle.
Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Velargo any questions you might have to ensure you fully understand everything about your buccal fat reduction.
Get the Look You Want With Buccal Fat Reduction in New Orleans
As an expert in his field, Dr. Velargo has lectured nationally on buccal fat removal at several facial plastic surgery conferences. He is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who knows how to perform safe cheek reduction procedures that result in a sleeker, more defined appearance.
If you’re ready to enhance your facial contours and wonder whether you are a good candidate for buccal fat removal, schedule your consultation today. Dr. Velargo will be precise and candid about the procedure, what results you can expect, and how to heal properly. We look forward to seeing you soon.
