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RG Buccal Fat Pad Removal: Facial Contouring in Nashville

Buccal fat pad surgery is also known as buccal fat pad removal, cheek reduction, buccal fat reduction, buccal lipectomy, or bichectomy. The purpose of this procedure is to reduce excess fat from the cheeks, creating a more refined facial contour.

Key Benefits of Buccal Lipectomy 

Cheek reduction surgery offers many benefits, including:

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

The RG Triple Threat

Dr. Ramirez Gavidia offers buccal fat removal at his Nashville practice, most commonly performing what he calls the “RG Triple Threat”: a combination of buccal fat removal or extraction, chin VASER® lipo, and strategic volume replacement (facial fillers). 

This integrative strategy helps re-sculpt the face to its ideal contours. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia’s goal is to improve your proportions and balance to create harmonious aesthetic transitions of the upper face, mid-face, and lower face. This rejuvenating effect often starts by addressing the visual impact of the buccal fat pads.

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The Buccal Fat Pad Removal Surgeon You Want

Buccal fat pad removal is an intricate procedure that must be performed by an expert facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia is a highly trained, award-winning, double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon (The American Board of Plastic Surgery and The American Board of Surgery). He has performed hundreds of buccal fat reduction surgeries, all with excellent outcomes. He truly cares about his patients and makes it a point that they know he fully understands their aesthetic goals. His commitment to surgical excellence is second-to-none, and he is passionate about helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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Dr. Ramirez Gavidia: A Surgeon with An Artistic Eye

Because one size does not fit all, Dr. Ramirez Gavidia creates custom treatment plans for his patients. The process begins with an extensive face and neck evaluation consultation appointment to establish realistic goals. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia will educate you on the RG Triple Threat, his signature combination treatment plan.

More About Dr. Ramirez Gavidia’s RG Triple Threat

First, Dr. Ramirez Gavidia conducts the buccal fat pad surgery and neck liposuction in one procedure. He then follows up with dermal filler in the upper cheeks, leading to a reshaping of the face and improved definition in the jawline — achieving the elegant, natural, youthful-looking V-shaped face everyone desires.

Popular Pairings with Buccal Fat Removal

  • Liposuction and fillers: Liposuction contours the jawline and removes stubborn fat under the chin. Cheek filler lifts the cheekbones. Combined with buccal fat reduction, these three procedures reshape the face for an elegant ogee curve.
  • Facelift: A facelift rejuvenates the facial appearance and re-sculpts the face with buccal fat pad surgery.
  • Blepharoplasty: Simultaneous attention to upper or lower eyelids will lift drooping eyelids or erase under-eye bags.
  • Mid-facelift: The mid-facelift addresses visible signs of aging in the lower eyelids and cheeks, complementing buccal fat removal.
  • Neck lift: Paired with buccal fat surgery, a neck lift will address the lower portion of the face, including the jowls and neck.
  • Chin augmentation (mentoplasty): Creates a more balanced appearance. With buccal fat surgery, the result is a more proportional face. 
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Improving the Face as a Whole

In every procedure he performs, Dr. Ramirez Gavidia takes a holistic approach — never performing just one procedure, but rather a combination to get the best results possible. Buccal fat pad removal is no exception.

Because his overall goal is to improve your proportions and balance to create a harmonious appearance of the upper face, mid-face, and lower face, he utilizes a multi-dimensional approach to facial surgery. This helps him deliver an overall more proportioned and streamlined look.

What is Considered Before Buccal Fat Pad Removal

Dr. Ramirez Gavidia will review several factors during your consultation. One of the biggest considerations is what is causing your large cheeks. Buccal fat pad surgery contours a specific area of the cheeks.

However, a person’s discontent with their cheeks is not always related to the buccal fat pads. In some cases, an individual’s cheek appearance and size aren’t the result of buccal fat pads or over-developed muscles in the jaw, but rather the result of fat deposits. If this is the case, a different procedure will be better for your goals. 

Procedure Details for Buccal Fat Reduction

Dr. Ramirez Gaividia usually performs buccal fat pad removal as an in-office procedure with local anesthetic. You will be able to return home the same day to start your recovery process. Buccal fat pad removal is performed from inside the mouth in the cheek area, leaving no visible scarring. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia will strategically and precisely remove the correct amount of the buccal fat pad through a small incision inside the mouth. He will also place dissolvable sutures. The result is a sculpted yet natural-looking facial appearance without any apparent scars.

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Risks Involved

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. He will explain the buccal fat pad removal risks to you before your surgery. He will also take the necessary precautions to minimize your risks throughout buccal fat removal procedure.

The risks associated with buccal fat removal surgery include:

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Numbness
  • Ongoing pain
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Recovery and Aftercare

Recovery from buccal fat reduction is usually minimal. You will leave our office wearing a facial wrap, which will need to be worn for 72 hours post-op. You will also have some facial swelling that will dissipate on its own within about 2-3 weeks. After the swelling resolves, your cheeks will start to look thinner and more contoured. Expect about 7-10 days for the tissues inside your mouth to recover. We encourage you to maintain a soft diet the first day or two after surgery and use your prescribed oral rinse after meals.

Executing the proper post-procedure process is critical to achieving your overall desired outcome. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia sets each of his patients up for success by helping them understand all aspects of this process before undergoing surgery. He will review specific post-operative treatment instructions and will require you to schedule follow-up visits after your procedure to ensure your recovery stays on track.

Results: What to Expect

Final results of buccal fat pad removal fully mature approximately a few months post-treatment after swelling has subsided, although early results start to become evident at four weeks. Buccal fat reduction results can vary patient to patient. Fluctuations in weight (gain or loss) will impact results. The natural aging process leads to skin laxity, and 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 during your consultation, and he will be able to explain how your long-term results will be affected by normal aging.

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Ideal Candidates for RG Buccal Fat Reduction

Dr. Ramirez Gavidia performs buccal fat pad facial contouring at his Nashville practice. During your consultation, his goal is to help you understand if you’re a candidate for the procedure and to educate you about the short and long-term effects of this surgery. Ideal candidates for buccal lipectomy:

  • Are unhappy with their chubby or puffy cheeks
  • Have a convex (protruding) cheek appearance
  • Have prominent, high cheekbones and excess fat under the cheekbones
  • Are interested in rejuvenating the overall appearance of their face
  • 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.)
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Why Choose Dr. Ramirez Gavidia?

Practicing in Nashville for five years, double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. J. Roberto Ramirez Gavidia has made a reputation for himself with his exceptional results. His attention to detail, artistic sculpting, and unique techniques deliver high-end outcomes that patients love. His holistic approach results in a more natural-looking, balanced outcome that enhances confidence and quality of life. If you’re interested in a consultation for buccal fat pad removal, please contact us today.

FAQ

What is the best age to have buccal fat pad removal?

Can buccal fat pad removal improve my smile?

How much does buccal fat pad removal cost?

Can buccal fat pad removal accelerate the aging process?

What is the best age to have buccal fat pad removal?

The best age for buccal fat pad removal varies from patient to patient. Dr. Ramirez Gavidia recommends the procedure regardless of the patient’s age. If he determines that your risks in electing buccal fat pad removal surgery outweigh the benefits, he will present alternative treatment options to still achieve the look you desire.

Can buccal fat pad removal improve my smile?

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

How much does buccal fat pad removal cost?

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’s performed along 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.

Can buccal fat pad removal accelerate the aging process?

Buccal fat pad removal is not ideal for an already-thin face. This can result in a gaunt, unflattering appearance and may accelerate aging. Not everyone is a candidate for buccal fat surgery. This is why it’s very important to meet with a qualified plastic surgeon like Dr. Ramirez Gavidia. He is an expert facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and will be able to analyze if this procedure is right for you. If it’s not, he can recommend alternative treatment plans to help you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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