Just when you thought you’d seen it all, you open up your Sunday newspaper and come across a piece on Buccal fat removal. “What to heck is buccal fat, and why would someone want it removed,” you’d think to yourself?
Buccal fat removal, commonly known as cheek fat removal, is a procedure in which a surgeon removes fat from, you guessed it, your cheeks. Why on Earth would anyone want their cheek fat removed? What are the implications of such a procedure, is it even medically justified?
These are just some of the questions we’ll address in this article, so stay tuned.
First of all…
What Is Buccal Fat Removal Procedure?
Buccal fat removal is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, done from the inside of your mouth, aimed to slim down your face, give your cheekbones more definition and give you that “modelesque” look. This outcome is achieved by reducing the size of the buccal fat pads (or removing them completely) found at the base of your cheeks on both sides of your face.
This procedure is often paired up with liposuction in other parts of the face and… in more extreme cases, even with facial fillers to “sculpt the face” and the jaw.
Pros And Cons Of Buccal Fat Removal
“Most cons will depend on the expertise of your plastic surgeon,” says Igor Marcikic, a beauty blogger and practitioner from Primoderm.com. Some of which are:
- Removing too much fat – removing too much fat might give you that grim, tired look on your face we all dread.
- Removing fat asymmetrically – know that undergoing this surgery usually means getting it done on both sides of your face as your surgeon must make sure both sides are even and symmetrical.
- Not accounting for aging – this is a big one and requires a highly experienced surgeon as these fat pads shrink with age. So, they must account for the natural fat loss when planning out the procedure.
And what about the pros?
- The procedure is minimally invasive – as noted before, it’s done from the inside of your mouth so you won’t have any visible scars
- Permanent result – the procedure will give you permanent results even if you gain some weight.
- Minimal downtime and a quick procedure – the downtime here are minimal, just a couple days; a week at most, and you can get back to your daily routine. And as for the duration, it typically takes no more than half an hour.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
Surgery, though minimal such as this one, is still a surgery… so, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. If you are just looking to “get back at your ex for name-calling you,” or chasing some crazy beauty ideal being set by a “famous fashion magazine,” please reconsider.
On the other hand, if you are the kind of person who’s “been insecure about your round, chubby face your entire life,” go ahead and give it a go.
But…
First, make sure buccal fat pads are what’s causing that chubby look. We often tell patients to get within 15 pounds of their goal weight. Why? Because this will ensure your chubby cheeks are not the result of weight gain.
How Much Will It Cost?
Unfortunately, buccal fat removal is considered a cosmetic procedure therefore, will not be covered by your insurance.
The price will vary based on your location and the experience of your surgeon – it may range from $2,500 all the way up to $6,000. Not a small fee by any standards.
The price will also depend on the:
- Surgical facility costs
- Medical tests and x-rays
- The costs of anesthesia and medication prescription
What To Expect From Buccal Fat Removal Surgery?
Before you “step” into the OR, you’ll need to go through a thorough consultation with your surgeon where you’ll discuss your goals and expectations, get your current health condition evaluated and access the possibilities and potential complications of cheek fat removal surgery.
Preparation
Your surgeon will give you detailed instructions, but some of the most common preparation steps are:
- Taking/adjusting current medication
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs as they can increase bleeding
- Making sure you are in good physical shape
Aftercare
Though the procedure only lasts 20-30 minutes, be prepared for significant swelling for about a week. Some patients described this swelling as having “chipmunk cheeks,” similar to getting your wisdom teeth extracted.
Your main job, until the week is up, is to reduce the swelling by applying ice packs, drinking ice water, and avoiding hot or spicy foods.
Risks
As with every medical procedure, there are certain risks involved in buccal fat removal; those are:
- Numbness or changes in sensation
- Prolonged swelling/bleeding
- Asymmetry
- Prolonged pain and hematoma
Results
You’ll have to be patient as the persistent swelling might obscure the initial results. Though significant swelling might subside after just one week, it may take months until your face “recovers,” and you see the final results.
Of course, the change won’t be sudden; you’ll notice slight changes in your facial contours as time goes by.
Should You Do It Or Not?
There is a growing concern among medical practitioners as to how the results hold up in the long run.
The main problem here is the one we already outlined – fat shrinks as we grow older. So, should you decide on going through with the procedure, you might be running a risk of making your cheeks appear hollow at some point in your life.
Even some research papers published on US National Library of Medicine, such as this one, say that “there is a lack of information about long-term outcomes. Thus, controlled clinical studies should be performed to achieve adequate clinical evidence of those aspects.”
On the other hand, if fat removal surgery is something that will boost your confidence and bring you joy in the present moment, going through with it might be a calculated risk.
Whatever you do, make sure you inform yourself properly, talk to your surgeon, weigh in all the pros and cons and see if the final outcome would be worth the trouble. It’s all up to you!
