Do you have round cheeks that make your face look chubby despite having a thinner body? It can be frustrating to work hard to maintain a slim body and still have excess fat in your cheeks. After all, facial fat is the second most stubborn fat in the body, and large buccal fat pads are often hereditary and completely unrelated to body weight.
Buccal fat removal is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that permanently reduces the size of buccal fat pads to create a slimmer, more defined facial appearance. Dr. Robert Glasgold, MD, FACS, of Glasgold Group Plastic Surgery, offers buccal fat removal in Princeton, NJ, for women and men who want to reduce the appearance of chubby cheeks and achieve a more sculpted facial contour.
- What is Buccal Fat Removal?
- Benefits Of Cheek Reduction Surgery
- Am I A Candidate For Buccal Fat Removal?
- Your Buccal Fat Removal Consultation
- Preparing For Buccal Fat Removal
- The Buccal Fat Removal Procedure
- Recovery And Results after a Buccal Fat Removal
- Complementary Procedures to Buccal Fat Removal
- Why Choose the Glasgold Group
- Buccal Fat Removal FAQs
What is Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal, also known as lipectomy, bichectomy, or cheek reduction surgery, is a surgical procedure designed to reduce facial fat and give the cheek and jawline area a more refined appearance. More specifically, the surgery targets the region of fat sitting between the cheekbones and jaw, called buccal fat pads. In most people, the size of buccal fat pads isn’t determined by their weight or body composition but rather by genetics, face shape, and gender.
Large buccal fat pads can give the appearance of a rounded or chubby face, even when the rest of the body is thin and toned. They can also cause a “babyface” or “chipmunk look,” which can cause self-consciousness in those who want to portray a more professional or mature appearance. Fortunately, buccal fat removal can transform rounded or boxy facial angles into a more elegant and aesthetic “V” or “heart” shape without leaving behind visible scars.
* Each patient is unique and individual results may vary.
Benefits Of Cheek Reduction Surgery
Buccal fat removal improves facial contours and minimizes the look of overly plump cheeks. Here are some benefits you can expect from this procedure:
- A slimmer, more attractive contours
- More balanced facial shape
- Defined jawline and enhanced appearance of the cheekbones
- More toned face appearance that looks more proportional to your body
- Long-lasting results
- No visible scarring
- More mature-looking features
- Enhanced self-confidence and satisfaction with your facial appearance
Am I A Candidate For Buccal Fat Removal?
The best candidates for buccal fat removal are men and women who are bothered by a rounded or chubby lower face and want to achieve a more sculpted, refined look. The procedure is a good option for generally healthy adults with excessive cheek fat that doesn’t respond to diet and exercise. Buccal fat removal is also a popular choice for patients seeking facial feminization surgery.
Good candidates should have healthy skin with sufficient elasticity to prevent sagging. Despite what some people might assume, as long as your skin retains good elasticity and your surgery is performed by a skilled plastic surgeon like Dr. Glasgold, age is not an issue with buccal fat removal.
Ideal candidates for buccal fat removal should also:
- Be non-smokers or able to quit for a specified time
- Be at a healthy and stable weight
- Have realistic expectations from the procedure
- Have natural excessive cheek fullness
Your Buccal Fat Removal Consultation
Every buccal fat removal surgery begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Glasgold at his Princeton, NJ, office. During this appointment, you’ll be able to review your concerns, discuss your aesthetic goals, and ask any questions you may have about the procedure. Dr. Glasgold will take the time to carefully evaluate your face to determine the best approach for your particular situation and create a personalized treatment plan that addresses your unique concerns. He will also advise you on whether you can realistically achieve your desired results.
Once Dr. Glasgold has determined your candidacy for buccal fat removal, you’ll go over specific procedure details, including your medical history, pre-surgery instructions, scheduling, and payment, to ensure you have the best possible experience.
Preparing For Buccal Fat Removal
Our office will provide detailed pre-operative instructions to help you prepare for your buccal fat removal procedure. Dr. Glasgold may ask you to stop taking certain medications and/or supplements a few weeks prior to your buccal fat removal surgery, get lab testing, or undergo a health evaluation. This is also a great time to prepare for your recovery process, which may include getting house or office work done in advance, stocking up on everything you might need while you are healing, and arranging transportation to and from our office for the day of the procedure.
The Buccal Fat Removal Procedure
Buccal fat removal is a relatively quick and simple intervention that can be performed at our Princeton, NJ, office in under two hours. Dr. Glasgold performs cheek reduction surgeries in Glasgold Group’s in-office accredited surgical suite using local anesthesia or conscious sedation. The choice of anesthesia is based on your personal preference and whether other procedures are being done at the same time.
Once the area is completely numb, Dr. Glasgold will carefully make a small incision inside the mouth, which ensures that there are no visible scars after the procedure. Next, Dr. Glasgold will apply gentle pressure from the outside of the cheeks to let out the appropriate amount of fat from either side of the face. Because buccal fat is isolated from other cheek structures, it “pops out” without having to use suctioning instruments like those used in typical liposuction procedures. This makes the buccal fat removal process virtually painless and minimally invasive.
Recovery And Results after a Buccal Fat Removal
You can expect some swelling and soreness in the days following your buccal fat removal procedure. Most patients are able to return to their regular activities within a week since there are no sutures and no bruising, just some swelling. Full recovery typically takes about three weeks to a month.
Our office staff will provide you with aftercare instructions, including dietary and oral care instructions. To protect your incisions and ensure faster healing, you will be limited to a soft or liquid diet for a few days and asked to refrain from strenuous physical activity until the stitches are fully healed. You’ll also need to sleep with your head elevated to help reduce inflammation and bruising. Pain is usually very minimal after buccal fat removal, so ice packs and over-the-counter pain relievers are generally enough to manage discomfort.
Complementary Procedures to Buccal Fat Removal
The results of buccal fat removal alone are often quite impressive. However, some patients choose to combine the intervention with other procedures for more comprehensive results. Common options include:
- Submental Liposuction
- Facelift
- Rhinoplasty
- Chin augmentation (chin implants)
- Neck lift
- Facial contouring with dermal fillers
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- Real patient
Why Choose the Glasgold Group
Buccal fat removal is a custom procedure that requires a high level of skill and knowledge to perform properly. At the Glasgold Group, our surgeons have decades of experience achieving beautiful, natural-looking results for patients across New Jersey and beyond. By choosing the Glasgold Group for your procedure, you can expect results of the highest caliber and the knowledge that your safety and satisfaction are top priorities.
By choosing Glasgold Group in Princeton, New Jersey, for your buccal fat removal procedure, you can expect results of the highest caliber and the knowledge that your safety and satisfaction are top priorities.
- Dr. Robert Glasgold has an American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Certification.
- Dr. Robert Glasgold is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
- Dr. Robert Glasgold is a co-director of the Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship Program of AAFPRS.
- Dr. Robert Glasgold has an American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Certification.
- Dr. Mark Glasgold is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
- Dr. Mark Glasgold is a co-director of the Facial Plastic Surgery Fellowship Program of AAFPRS.
- Dr. Mark Glasgold has an American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Certification.
- Dr. Mark Glasgold has an American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Certification.
Call 732-846-6540 or click here to schedule a buccal fat removal consultation with Dr. Robert Glasgold today!
Buccal Fat Removal FAQs
Yes, the fat cells removed during buccal fat removal surgery are gone permanently and do not grow back. However, if you gain weight at any time after the procedure, it is possible for other areas of the face to enlarge.
Cheek fat can be reduced with diet and exercise to some extent. However, buccal fat is not metabolically active, so if you are born with large buccal fat pads, they will not be reduced with weight loss or age.
You will notice some results immediately after the procedure, although you can expect the area to be somewhat swelled. It may take up to four months for all residual inflammation to subside and to see significant results.
The cost of buccal fat removal varies from patient to patient. Please get in touch with our office at 732-846-6540 or click here to schedule a consultation to get a personalized quote.
Buccal fat removal is not reversible, but it can be improved with dermal fillers. To avoid being dissatisfied with your results, it’s important that you choose an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Robert Glasgold, who understands facial aesthetics and prioritizes a conservative approach.
Like all surgeries, there are some risks associated with buccal fat removal surgery, including infection, asymmetry, bruising, and bleeding.
The procedure itself is conducted under local anesthesia or conscious sedation, so most patients don’t find it painful. You may feel slight discomfort when your doctor injects the numbing solution inside your mouth and after the surgery when the anesthesia wears off. However, most patients only report mild discomfort that’s easily manageable with OTC painkillers and ice.
You can’t eat hard, crunchy, or overly acidic foods for 3-4 days after buccal fat removal. You will also have to refrain from smoking until your incisions are fully healed.
Dr. Glasgold will tell you exactly which foods you may and may not eat during that period. Most patients are able to start transitioning to semi
PROCEDURES
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