Buccal Fat Surgery Procedure

Buccal Fat Surgery

Many people find it aesthetically attractive to have chiseled, defined cheekbones. If you have fullness in your cheeks and lower face, you may feel self-conscious about your appearance and desire a more contoured look. If you feel that your cheeks are too full, buccal fat removal surgery can slim the appearance of your cheeks.

Buccal fat pads are the fat in the middle of your cheeks. Buccal fat surgery is a procedure that reduces the appearance of plump cheeks. Sometimes known as cheek reduction surgery, buccal fat surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that contours the cheek area. 

Buccal fat pads do not naturally go away with diet and exercise, which is why many people who want to define their cheekbones opt for buccal fat surgery. Other procedures we offer at NorCal Plastic Surgery that are commonly combined with buccal fat removal are chin augmentation, a facelift, and dermal fillers to help shape the jawline and cheeks. 

There are several benefits to having buccal fat surgery, including: 

  • Permanent results
  • A more contoured, slimmer face
  • Improvement to the overall appearance and facial definition 
  • Easily performed in combination with other complementing surgeries
  • No visible scarring because the incisions are located in the mouth

Before your procedure, we recommend you stop smoking at least two weeks before because nicotine can slow healing. We will also request blood tests to ensure you are healthy enough for the procedure. The surgery takes about one hour for Dr. Rankin to complete.

During the procedure, you have two options regarding anesthesia. An anesthesiologist can put you under general anesthesia, or you can opt for local anesthesia. Both types will ensure you are comfortable and prepared for surgery. Next, Dr. Rankin will make incisions on the inner part of each cheek. He will remove the buccal fat pads through these incisions and then use dissolvable stitches to close them.

After your surgery, you will need to have a family member or friend drive you home. We will give you a mouthwash that will prevent infection around your stitches. You should also stay on a liquid diet for a few days to not irritate your incisions. Dr. Rankin will provide further instructions on aftercare. 

Swelling and bruising after buccal fat surgery are normal and will subside over the course of your recovery. Recovery takes approximately two weeks, but you can resume most of your normal activities after three days. We recommend you do not perform any strenuous exercise during the total recovery because intense exercise can prolong healing. 

Your results will start to show after the swelling begins to fade. Over the next few months, you will see your full, permanent results. Buccal fat surgery is a permanent solution to buccal fat pads; however, if you gain excess weight, you may return to having fuller cheeks.

A good candidate for buccal fat surgery is bothered by having large fat pads that cause fuller cheeks. Ideal candidates should maintain a stable weight and good health, have realistic goals in mind, and be a non-smoker. 

Generally, buccal fat surgery is not performed on those with thinner fat pads because the procedure can produce even hollower cheeks that make the patient appear older. During your initial consultation, Dr. Rankin will let you know if he recommends buccal fat surgery for you.

How much buccal fat surgery costs will depend on your surgeon’s experience, location, and fees associated with the procedure. The average price for buccal fat surgery is $4,000 to $5,000. We will note that the cost will increase if you want to combine other procedures with this surgery. During your consultation, we will discuss the final costs associated with buccal fat surgery and your overall goals.

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Before and After
*Individual results may vary

Take the Next Step

Want to learn more about how Buccal Fat Surgery can help you gain more confidence in your appearance? Schedule your consultation with a NorCal Plastic Surgery provider by calling (925) 856-4800 or filling out the consultation request form below. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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