RG Buccal Fat Pad Removal/Extraction for Facial Contouring

Ideal Candidates for buccal lipectomy are patients:

• Unhappy with their chubby or puffy cheeks
• With a convex (protruding) cheek appearance
• With prominent high cheekbones and excess fat under the cheekbones
• Interested in rejuvenating the overall appearance of their face
• Who have had a setback mandibuloplasty surgery to reduce the size of the chin or jaw (Since that procedure helps shorten the jaw, it can compress the mid-face tissues. As a result, chubby or puffy cheeks can form.)

Dr. Ramirez Gavidia will review several factors to consider before undergoing buccal fat pad removal surgery; during your consultation.

• Large Cheeks: Buccal fat pad removal contours a specific area of the cheeks. However, a person’s discontent with their cheeks is not always related to buccal fat pads. In some cases, an individual’s cheek appearance and size is not due to fat pads or over-developed muscles in the jaw rather the result of fat deposits.
• Downtime: Recovery from buccal fat pad removal is usually minimal. Final results fully mature, approximately, a few months post treatment.

The best age for buccal fat pad removal varies based on each patient. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia recommends the procedure; regardless of the patient’s age.

If he determines your risks in electing buccal fat pad removal surgery outweigh the benefits, Dr. Ramirez Gavidia will present alternative treatment options to still achieve the look you desire.

Cheek reduction surgery offers many benefits, including:

• More cheek definition
• Improved facial balance
• Rejuvenated facial shape
• Enhanced sculpted facial appearance
• Increased self-confidence

It’s possible for buccal fat removal to help patients enhance their smiles. Since this procedure treats chubby cheeks, it can help a patient to improve facial symmetry. It also helps patients present more balance in other facial features; including their smiles.

The cost of a buccal fat pad removal procedure varies depending on where the surgery is performed (in-office or the hospital) and whether it is performed in concert with other procedures. Other factors, identified during your consult, may also affect cost. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia will help you decide what is right for you and your aesthetic goals. A member of his staff will lay out the costs associated with buccal fat pad surgery and your recommended treatment plan at your consultation.

Dr. Ramirez Gavidia usually performs buccal fat pad removal as an in-office procedure with local anesthetic. Patients can return home the same day to start the recovery process. The procedure takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to perform, unless combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures, the overall surgery time can be longer. Buccal fat pad removal is performed from inside the mouth [in the cheek area]; leaving no visible scarring. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia strategically and precisely removes the correct amount of the buccal fat pad through a small incision inside the mouth and places dissolvable sutures. The result is a sculpted, yet natural-looking facial appearance without any visible scars.

After buccal fat surgery, patients should expect some facial swelling and will leave the office wearing a facial wrap. The facial wrap is worn for 72 hours post op. The swelling will dissipate on its own within about two to three weeks. After the swelling resolves, the cheeks will start to look thinner and more contoured. Patients can expect about seven to 10 days for the tissues inside the mouth to recover following buccal fat pad removal. Patients are advised to maintain a soft diet the first day or two after surgery and are prescribed an oral rinse for after meals.

The results of buccal fat pad surgery start to become evident four weeks after removal with full results several months after swelling has subsided. Buccal fat pad removal results can vary patient to patient. Fluctuations in weight (gain or loss) after buccal fat pad removal will impact results. The natural aging process leads to skin laxity. Additionally, facial wrinkles and other skin issues can potentially affect the overall appearance after buccal fat pad removal. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia will explain realistic treatment expectations. In your consultation, he will be able to address how your long term results will be affected by normal aging.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal can slow down signs of facial aging by reducing fat in your cheeks that is weighing the face down. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia’s goal is to help you understand if you’re a candidate for buccal fat removal and to educate you about the short and long-term effects of this surgery.

Yes! Buccal fat pad removal produces a thinner, more contoured facial appearance. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia will do everything possible to produce a natural-looking, aesthetically attractive, post-surgery facial appearance.

While buccal fat pad removal surgery is a very safe procedure with a skilled surgeon such as Dr. Ramirez Gavidia, there is always some risk with any surgery. The risks associated with buccal fat removal surgery include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Fluid accumulation
• Numbness
• Ongoing pain

Dr. Ramirez Gavidia explains buccal fat pad removal risks before surgery. He also takes the necessary precautions to minimize patient risk throughout buccal fat removal surgery.