What is buccal fat?
The buccal fat pad is one of the many facial fat pads of the face. Unlike fat in other parts of the body, this fat does not readily change with weight loss. Patients with round faces, or patients who want additional contouring of their cheeks can consider removal of this fat pad.
Who is a good candidate for a buccal fat excision?
Often, patients with round faces most of their lives, despite weight changes are most interested in this procedure. Contouring with injectable fillers on round or full faces typically offers limited results – so buccal fat excision is often a better solution.
This procedure can be combined with other treatments or surgery to give a more angular appearance to the face. The fat is removed from a small incision inside the mouth and does not grow back, so the results are long lasting.
Buccal Fat Excision Procedure and Recovery:
Buccal fat removal is done comfortably awake under local anesthesia, or with sedation. Removal of buccal fat takes about an hour and can be performed through the mouth under local anesthesia, much like a dental procedure. Additional sedation with medications or light anesthesia can also be arranged. Small incisions on the inside of the cheek are closed with absorbable sutures. Swelling can offset the immediate result and temporarily cause some fullness of the cheeks. Most of the swelling will go down after the first week, with additional refinement continuing in the weeks to follow. Patients can usually get back to work within a day or two, and resume some light exercise at one week after surgery.
