What Is Face Trim (Buccal Fat Pad Excision)?
While chubby cheeks may look cute on kids, they sometimes don’t work for adults who are looking for a more toned and chiseled look. For those whom chubby cheeks or excessive fat on the face is bothersome, there are solutions present that can address it. They can opt for having their faces sculpted by getting the ‘buccal fat’ removed. The buccal pads are areas of fat in the lower cheeks that may appear because of a genetic disposition or simply from being overweight. People opting for this surgical procedure are assured that they would have more defined cheeks which would in turn restore their self-confidence and self-esteem. The procedure doesn’t take long and there is minimal bruising and a brief downtime. There is no chance of any facial scarring or any kind of external incisions on the face. Like other elective procedures, it is important that you get a detailed and in-depth consultation with your doctor so that you can set realistic goals for yourself and the doctor can plan an individualized treatment plan.
What To Expect?
Once you are anesthetized and comfortable, incisions are made inside the mouth, between the cheek and gums. It is through this that excessive fat is removed and the cheek area sculpted. Dissolvable sutures are used to close the incisions. There would be some swelling, bruising, numbness and discomfort. You would be asked to apply cool compresses to reduce the swelling and maybe given oral pain medication. Swelling usually resolves on its own in a few weeks as the healing progresses. It is important that you take care of what you eat as there is a risk of bacterial infection. You would be given an anti-bacterial mouthwash and advised to keep your tongue away from the incision site.
FAQ
Buccal (pronounced BUCK-ull, as in belt buckle) fat extraction is the removal of a part of the buccal fat pads in the cheeks. These fat pads are located in the lower cheeks and can contribute to an overly round or plump face, sometimes referred to as “chipmunk cheeks.”
Buccal fat removal can be done at almost any age. However, keep in mind that many people begin to lose facial fat in their 20s and 30s. If their fat reserves are removed before then, they may end up with a gaunt appearance — a face that looks too thin and possibly unhealthy.
During your buccal fat extraction consultation, your surgeon will discuss your aesthetic goals, review your options and explain what can be realistically achieved with buccal fat extraction. He or she will also discuss the risks and complications of the surgery, anesthesia choices, fees, and what to expect postoperatively. This consultation is when you can ask questions about the surgery and determine if the surgeon is a good choice for you. Do not hesitate to ask lots of questions.
Buccal fat extraction is done on an outpatient basis under light sleep sedation, regional anesthesia with sedation, local anesthesia with oral sedation, or general intravenous sedation, depending on your surgeon’s preference and whether or not you’re having additional procedures done at the same time (for example, a facelift). After you are anesthetized, your surgeon will make an incision on one side of the inside of your mouth between your upper molars and inner cheek. He or she will then push a bit on the outside of the cheek to push the buccal fat back through the incision, removing small bits of the fat pad a little at a time. This process is repeated on the other side of your face and the incisions are closed.
Following your buccal fat extraction surgery, your lower face and mouth will be sore, swollen and tender. Any bruising will be on the inside of your mouth. You may be put on a special diet of foods that are not acidic, and you may be instructed to sleep with your head elevated and to rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash several times each day. The swelling should dissipate after about two weeks.
The stitches will usually be removed within a week to 10 days after your buccal fat extraction surgery. The process may be uncomfortable, but not overly painful. Suture removal is usually quick.
You should see preliminary results within a week or two as the swelling subsides, but it may take anywhere from two to four months to see the full results of your buccal fat extraction procedure.
Buccal fat extraction, like all surgery, has risks and complications. These risks include allergic reaction to the anesthetic used. There is also a chance of nerve damage, numbness in the cheeks or lower face, skin puckering, unwanted depressions in the cheeks, lumps, hematoma (a pocket of blood), seroma (a pocket of fluid) and infection. Results could be asymmetrical, or you may just be unhappy with the final results.
The results of buccal fat extraction are permanent. However, if you gain a marked amount of weight in the future, your cheeks may plump up again.