Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic procedure that removes small amounts of fat from the inside of the cheek. It may also be called “cheek reduction.”
Buccal fat removal is done to reduce the size of your cheeks, making them smaller and more defined. It’s most commonly done on younger people who are hoping to get rid of baby fat or excess flesh around their cheeks.
Cheek reduction can also be performed on older patients who have lost volume in their cheeks through age or weight loss.
Buccal fat removal is a minimally invasive procedure that can improve the appearance of the face, neck, and chin. It is similar to liposuction, but instead of removing unwanted fat with a needle, the surgeon uses a small hand-held device to suck out the fat.
The procedure is quick, safe, and effective. It can also be performed as an outpatient procedure in our office or ambulatory surgery center.
Eat a healthy diet.
The first step is to eat a healthy diet. The goal is to reduce the amount of fat in your cheeks and neck area. You need to avoid foods that are high in fat, sugar, and calories. You should also avoid drinking alcohol since it can increase your chances of developing cellulite in that area.
Quit smoking.
If you smoke, it is essential that you quit before the procedure. Smoking can cause complications like infection and swelling, which may put your health at risk.
Stay hydrated.
The day before your surgery, drink plenty of water so that you will have an empty bladder on the day of your surgery. You may experience some burning or stinging when urinating after the surgery, so try to avoid caffeine or alcohol in the days leading up to your procedure as well as after surgery.
Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol causes dehydration and makes it difficult for your body to heal properly after surgery. If you choose to drink alcohol after undergoing buccal fat removal, be sure that you’re drinking plenty of water with it and eat a high-protein diet before and after surgery.
Choose an experienced surgeon
As with any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon who has performed many procedures of this nature. It’s also important to find out what type of anesthesia will be used and how long the recovery period will be.
Discuss your goals with a surgeon
Before scheduling surgery, talk to your doctor about what kind of results you’re looking for and how much time you have to achieve them. This will help them determine which type of procedure would be best for you.
Don’t be pressured into making a decision
If you’re considering buccal fat removal, take some time to research the procedure before making a decision. There are many factors that contribute to successful buccal fat removal surgery, including the size of the problem area and your overall health. It’s important that you feel confident in your surgeon’s ability to perform the procedure successfully and ensure that your health is not at risk during or after the surgery.
Discuss all of your medications with your surgeon.
Because buccal fat removal is done under local anesthesia, you should stop taking blood thinners or aspirin-based medications at least two weeks prior to surgery. You may also need to stop taking antihistamines and heartburn medications for several days before surgery. If you take any other medications on a regular basis, discuss them with your surgeon before surgery as well.
Stop taking blood thinners.
Stop taking blood thinners such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), or other medications three weeks before your appointment. These medications increase bleeding during surgery and make bruising more likely. If you need an anticoagulant (blood thinner) because of heart disease or another medical condition, talk with your doctor about how long before surgery you should stop taking it so that you don’t have problems with bleeding after surgery.
Learn about the procedure.
The dentist or surgeon who performs buccal fat removal will explain how it works, what size incision is used, and how long recovery takes. He or she will also discuss possible complications and any risks associated with the surgery.
Prepare Your House
First and foremost, prepare your house. You’ll need a good supply of frozen food, since the procedure will leave your mouth numb for several hours. You’ll also need to avoid any hot or cold drinks, alcohol, spicy foods and hard chewing for at least two days after the surgery. (Dentures are not a good idea.)
Avoid caffeine
Caffeine increases your blood pressure and makes it harder for your body to absorb vitamin B12. Therefore, if you want to avoid bruising or swelling during your treatment, stop drinking coffee, tea or soda for at least two weeks before the treatment begins.
Get your blood pressure under control
If you have high blood pressure, it’s important that you’ve been taking medication to keep it under control. Your surgeon will want to know this information before they start working on your mouth area during surgery.
Take time off from work
You may be able to return to work the next day, but you should take at least one full day off from work after your procedure. Avoid strenuous exercise for two weeks after the procedure. Avoid alcohol, aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), for two weeks before and after your procedure. Talk with your doctor about what medications are safe for you during this time period.
Make sure you’re a good candidate
Buccal fat removal is only effective on people who have some excess fat in this area, but not too much. If you’re underweight, it won’t help you at all. If you’re overweight, it may not be enough to give you the results that you’re looking for. You’ll need to discuss with your doctor whether or not buccal fat removal is right for your situation.
Prepare for pain after the surgery.
Pain is a common concern when considering buccal fat removal. The good news is that it’s not as bad as many people think it will be. In fact, most people do not feel any pain at all during the procedure itself. However, you may experience some mild discomfort in your cheeks and lips after the surgery because of swelling or bruising. This should subside within a few days after the procedure itself.
Stay active as much as you can before surgery.
Exercising regularly will help your body recover faster after surgery. It will also make it easier for you to follow post-surgery instructions and avoid complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots.
Make sure your health is in check.
Before undergoing any cosmetic procedure, you should ask yourself if it’s safe for you and whether there are any risks associated with the procedure itself or with recovery afterward. If you have any concerns about your physical health or whether you’re a good candidate for this procedure, talk with your doctor first. They’ll be able to help you decide if this surgery is right for you or if there are other options that might work better for your needs.
Get plenty of sleep
Getting enough sleep is also important when preparing for buccal fat removal surgery because it will help you feel more rested during the day and give you more energy during workouts. It’s recommended that adults get at least seven hours of sleep every night, but some people may need more or less depending on their individual needs and circumstances (e.g., working mothers with young children).
Exercise regularly
Exercise is another important factor when preparing for buccal fat removal surgery. Exercise helps you lose weight and keep it off long term. It also improves your overall health and reduces stress levels, which can be beneficial if you’re considering this procedure because of an emotional issue or traumatic event in your life.
Consider pain management options.
Buccal fat removal is a relatively simple procedure but it still involves incisions and stitches. You will experience some discomfort after the surgery as well as swelling and bruising on your cheeks. Some patients also experience pain in their mouth or jaw due to the sensitive nerves in that area. To ease discomfort, consider taking over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) prior to your surgery appointment and ask your surgeon about prescription pain medications if needed during recovery time.
