Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal
Prominent buccal fat pads create puffy, round cheeks. Buccal fat pad removal provides natural-looking, thinner cheeks with relatively quick results and no scars.
Patients can gain these benefits from buccal pad removal:
- Reduce the appearance of chubby cheeks or chipmunk cheeks
- Define the cheekbones and emphasizing the jawline
- Create a more sculpted facial structure
- Transforming a “baby face” into a more mature look
Dr. Kam specializes in customized buccal pad removal results. Patients can ask about increasing buccal pad removal benefits by combining it with another surgical procedure, such as rhinoplasty (nose job), facelift, brow lift, or liposuction.
Beauty is a personal decision. Some individuals see full cheeks as youthful, but some feel self-conscious about round cheeks. While there’s nothing wrong with having plump cheeks, a simple procedure to remove or reduce the buccal fat pads can slim round cheeks and improve facial contours.
What is Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal pad removal, also known as buccal lipectomy, is a cosmetic procedure that reduces the appearance of naturally full cheeks often referred to as “chipmunk cheeks.” This effective procedure creates a slimmer, more defined facial aesthetic with prominent cheek hollows. The buccal fat pad rests below the cheekbone, between the temple and jawline.
The size of the buccal pad doesn’t change with weight loss or gain, but weight gain can push it forward. Age and weight loss can also cause the buccal pad to drop, creating a heavier-looking lower face.
Dr. Kam performs buccal fat removal (lipectomy) at Kam Facial Plastic Surgery in Voorhees, NJ. She may suggest buccal fat surgery alone or along with liposuction, a facelift, a chin implant, or another procedure to provide the best results.
What’s the Difference: Buccal Pad Removal and Facial Liposuction
Liposuction removes unwanted fat in the neck, below the chin, and along the jawline. Buccal fat removal is needed to reduce naturally chubby “chipmunk cheeks” that remain regardless of weight loss.
Buccal Fat Removal Consultation in Voorhees, NJ
Dr. Kam examines potential buccal fat removal candidates at Kam Facial Plastic Surgery in Voorhees, NJ. During the consultation, she will review the patient’s medical history and listen carefully to the patient’s concerns and goals to determine if buccal pad removal is the appropriate procedure.
As a skilled surgeon, Dr. Kam carefully explains the minor procedure, the risks, and the benefits and describes the anticipated cheek reduction. She may recommend another procedure along with the buccal pad removal, such as Botox, liposuction, filler, or a facial implant to achieve the patient’s facial appearance goals.
Buccal Fat Removal Preparation
Dr. Kam will provide patients with pre- and post-operative instructions during the buccal pad removal consultation in Voorhees, NJ. Patients are encouraged to stop smoking before surgery as smoking hinders wound healing. Patients should discuss all medication, vitamins, and supplements with the facial plastic surgeon and follow all instructions for best results.
Patients should carefully follow Dr. Kam’s instructions about the use of anti-inflammatory pain medicines like ibuprofen, aspirin, prescription blood thinners, and herbal supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding, such as fish oil, ginger, and ginseng. A friend or family member needs to drive the patient to and from the procedure.
Patients should wear comfortable clothing on the day of the surgery, including a buttoned or zippered shirt instead of a pullover. They should also take a couple of days off work and stock up on food and aftercare supplies.
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Buccal Fat Removal Procedure in Voorhees, NJ
Each surgery is customized to match the patient’s goals, and Dr. Kam will explain the unique details of the buccal pad removal during the consultation. The procedure can be done in the office under local anesthesia, with or without twilight sedation. But, the procedure can also be done under general anesthesia, particularly if the buccal fat removal will be performed along with another procedure, such as a facelift.
The patient-to-patient procedure is relatively simple and is typically completed in under 1 hour. Dr. Kam creates an incision, approximately 1 inch long, on the inside of the cheek. She removes all or part of the fatty tissue using a fine-tip surgical tool between the cheekbone and the muscle used for chewing. She closes the incision with dissolvable sutures.
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Recovering From Cheek Fat Removal
Some patients can resume their regular activities immediately after the minor procedure. However, many patients opt to take 1 to 2 days off work after the minor cheek reduction operation. Contact Dr. Kam or the Kam Facial Plastic Surgery staff with questions or concerns.
Minor bruising and swelling are expected on the inside of the mouth due to the internal incision. The doctor typically prescribes medicine and mouthwash to promote healing and prevent infection. Patients must follow a soft, semi-liquid diet and avoid crunchy foods for the first few days after surgery. To reduce swelling and discomfort, they can apply ice packs to their cheek in the area of operation.
Patients should avoid high-impact sports to reduce the chance of injury to the area. They should sleep on their backs with their heads elevated to minimize swelling and avoid injury while asleep.
The healing process of the soft tissue inside the mouth is about 7 to 10 days. Swelling in the cheeks gradually subsides over several weeks, and final results will display thinner, contoured cheeks in 4 to 6 weeks.
Why Choose DR. Kam
- Joanna Kam, MD is a Facial Plastic Surgeon certified in Otolaryngology by the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
- She completed a residency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, MI.
- Dr. Kam was one of a handful of students in her medical school class nominated to the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society.
Buccal Fat Removal Cost
Buccal pad removal in Voorhees, NJ, is designed to match the patient’s goals, and the price varies depending on the cheek reduction details. Dr. Kam will explain the procedure, the expected results, and the cost during the consultation. Medical insurance does not cover buccal fat removal because it is an elective cosmetic procedure. Kam Facial Plastic Surgery accepts payment through Care Credit.
