What is Buccal Fat Removal Surgery?
Buccal fat removal, also known as cheek reduction surgery, is an operative procedure designed to alter the anatomical volume of the lower cheeks. The surgery involves making small incisions inside the mouth, through which the surgeon locates and carefully excises a portion of the buccal fat pad.
This process modifies the structural contour of the mid-to-lower face. By removing this specific localized tissue, the procedure addresses fullness in the cheek area without the need for external incisions on the face.
What makes a suitable candidate for Buccal Fat Removal Surgery?
A suitable candidate for buccal fat removal includes healthy adult individuals who have realistic expectations regarding the physical changes the procedure can provide. Patients often seek this surgery to address persistent fullness in the lower cheeks that does not respond to weight loss or general fitness.
Candidates must undergo a thorough medical evaluation with Dr Mirkazemi to ensure they possess adequate facial bone structure and do not have underlying medical conditions that could significantly impair the healing process or increase surgical risks.
What are the Buccal Fat Removal Surgery options?
When exploring buccal fat removal, patients have various options depending on their baseline facial anatomy and specific goals. Options may include undergoing an isolated buccal fat excision, which focuses solely on reducing the volume of the cheek pads.
Patients may also discuss the option of combining this procedure with other facial surgeries, such as rhinoplasty or a facelift, during their consultation to address multiple anatomical areas simultaneously.
Non-surgical alternatives, such as masseter muscle reduction using anti-wrinkle injections or facial liposuction, may also be discussed as options for patients whose cheek fullness is caused by factors other than the buccal fat pad itself.
Before & Afters
Disclaimer: All surgeries before & afters shown on this website are performed by Dr Mirkazemi and are published with consent by our patients. They are not guarantees that your results will be the same or similar as results will vary between individuals. The content on our page is general in nature and does not constitute medical advice. Any surgery or invasive procedure carries risks and has a recovery time. Before proceeding, please seek medical advice from an appropriately qualified medical practitioner. During your consultation, Dr Mirkazemi will carefully evaluate each individual and provide an honest and realistic assessment of what can be expected from the procedure.
Buccal Fat Removal surgical techniques
- Intraoral Excision: This is the primary technique utilized for buccal fat removal, involving an incision made entirely within the mouth cavity, typically near the upper molars. Through this concealed incision, the buccal fat pad is accessed, gently teased out, and a conservative amount of the adipose tissue is excised before the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures.
- Combined Excision with Facelift: During a comprehensive facelift procedure, the buccal fat pads can sometimes be accessed and reduced through the surgical planes created for the lift, altering the lower facial volume alongside addressing skin laxity.
- Partial Buccal Fat Resection: Rather than removing the entire fat pad, this technique involves the targeted excision of only a specific portion of the buccal fat, allowing for a calibrated modification of the cheek volume tailored to the patient’s individual anatomical proportions.
Recovery after Buccal Fat Removal Surgery
The recovery process following buccal fat removal requires careful adherence to post-operative instructions, including a temporary soft-food diet and strict oral hygiene protocols. During week one, patients typically experience intraoral swelling, mild bruising, and localized discomfort, while the internal incisions begin to heal.
By month one, the initial swelling and bruising generally subside, allowing patients to resume most normal daily activities and their regular diet, although strenuous physical exertion must still be strictly avoided.
Around month three, the deeper tissues continue to settle, and the long-lasting structural modifications to the cheeks become more apparent as the final stages of the healing process progress.
How much does Buccal Fat Removal Surgery cost?
The cost of buccal fat removal varies depending on the individual patient’s anatomical requirements and the specific scope of the operation. Factors that influence the total fee include the surgeon’s expertise, anaesthetist fees, hospital or accredited facility charges, and whether the surgery is performed as a standalone procedure or combined with other interventions.
During a consultation with Dr Mirkazemi, patients receive a detailed, customized estimate that reflects their unique case and transparently outlines all associated surgical expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions for Buccal Fat Removal Surgery
Specific Risks and Complications For Buccal Fat Removal Surgery
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
Buccal fat removal, or bichectomy, is a surgical procedure that involves the excision of fat pads from the mid-face to modify facial contour and address fullness in the lower cheeks. While it is a focused procedure, it involves operating in close proximity to critical facial nerves, salivary ducts, and blood vessels. It is essential for patients to understand the potential clinical risks and complications associated with this surgery.
The following list outlines possible complications. These risks are not exhaustive, and the likelihood of experiencing them varies based on individual anatomy, health status, and the healing process.
Procedure-Specific Complications
- Facial Nerve Damage: The buccal fat pad is located near branches of the facial nerve, which control facial expression. Injury to these nerves can result in temporary or, in rare cases, permanent facial muscle weakness or paralysis.
- Salivary Duct Injury: The parotid duct, which carries saliva into the mouth, is positioned near the buccal fat pad. Accidental injury to this duct can lead to salivary fistulas or persistent swelling.
- Asymmetry: Achieving absolute symmetry in the mid-face can be challenging. Differences in the volume of fat removed or the way the face heals may result in an asymmetrical appearance.
- Over-resection (Sunken Appearance): Removing too much fat can lead to a hollowed or “gaunt” look. This effect may become more pronounced as the patient ages and naturally loses facial volume over time.
- Trismus (Lockjaw): Some patients may experience temporary difficulty or discomfort when opening their mouth fully following the procedure.
- Persistent Pain: Chronic or prolonged discomfort in the cheek area may occur post-operatively.
Physical and Long-Term Considerations
- Changes in Sensation: Numbness or altered sensation in the cheeks or oral mucosa can occur. While often temporary, some sensory changes may be permanent.
- Intraoral Scarring: While incisions are placed inside the mouth to avoid visible external scars, internal scar tissue (fibrosis) will form.
- Unsatisfactory Anatomical Outcome: The surgical result may not align with the patient’s anatomical goals, or the change in contour may be less visible than anticipated.
- Need for Secondary Procedures: Revision surgery may be required to address complications, manage asymmetry, or further modify the facial contour.
General Surgical Risks
All surgical procedures, including plastic and cosmetic surgery, carry inherent risks and potential complications.
These may include infection, bleeding, fluid accumulation, delayed wound healing, scarring, nerve changes, anaesthetic risks, blood clots, and procedure-specific complications. Individual factors such as smoking, elevated BMI, underlying medical conditions, and certain medications can further influence your safety profile and recovery.
A thorough consultation and strict adherence to pre- and post-operative instructions are essential to minimise risks.
