Buccal fat pad removal, also referred to as cheek fat removal or buccal lipectomy, involves the removal of excess fat pads from the cheeks, With this procedure, an individual can improve his or her facial contours and reduce the appearance of chubby cheeks.
Buccal fat pad removal is an intricate procedure, and it must be performed by a highly skilled and experienced facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Fortunately, Dr. Babak Azizzadeh of the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery simplifies buccal fat pad removal. He devotes the necessary time and resources to assess buccal fat pad removal candidates and develops a personalized treatment plan for each patient. Dr. Azizzadeh also teaches buccal fat pad removal patients about treatment, and he works closely with them to help them achieve the best surgery results.
What Is Buccal Fat Pad Removal? Here’s What You Need to Know
Buccal fat pad removal is intended for individuals who want to thin their cheeks. If an individual feels his or her cheeks are too full or chubby, buccal fat pad removal may be an ideal option to treat this issue.
During buccal fat pad removal, a buccal fat pad is removed from a patient’s cheek hollow area. The size of a buccal fat pad varies based on the patient. Meanwhile, buccal fat removal surgery is performed from inside the mouth, ensuring a patient won’t have to worry about visible scars after treatment.
There are many reasons why people undergo buccal fat pad removal, such as:
- Improve cheek definition
- Enhance facial shape and contours
- Increase self-confidence
The benefits of buccal fat pad removal can be significant, too. Key benefits of buccal fat removal surgery include:
- Permanent Results: The results of buccal fat pad removal will usually remain intact for the duration of a patient’s life, even if he or she gains weight.
- Fast Treatment: A typical buccal fat removal surgery requires 30 to 60 minutes to complete. It is sometimes performed in combination with other facial rejuvenation procedures; in these instances, the overall surgery time is extended.
- Limited Downtime: A patient only needs only a few days to recover after buccal fat pad removal before he or she returns to work or school or resumes other everyday activities.
Of course, there are various factors to consider before undergoing buccal fat pad removal as well. These factors include:
- Facial Appearance: The size of a person’s cheeks is not always related to his or her buccal pads. In some instances, a person’s cheek size is affected by fat deposits or over-developed muscle in the jaw.
- Recovery Time: It may take a patient at least a few months before he or she sees the full results of treatment.
- Surgery Risks: The risks associated with buccal fat pad removal include bleeding, infection and numbness.
For people who are considering buccal fat pad removal, it helps to meet with Dr. Azizzadeh. A buccal fat pad removal consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh allows an individual to learn about the procedure and receive expert responses to his or her concerns and questions. Plus, the consultation enables Dr. Azizzadeh to determine if an individual is a good candidate for buccal fat pad removal or other facial rejuvenation procedures.
Are You a Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Pad Removal?
Buccal fat pad removal helps people who are dealing with jowling and excess cheek fat that shifts the skin downward. It may also benefit individuals who want to create a slimmer, more sculpted lower portion of the face.
Dr. Azizzadeh wants each of his patients to enjoy a balanced, natural-looking facial appearance, and he conducts an assessment to determine if buccal fat pad removal can help a patient achieve this goal. During the assessment, Dr. Azizzadeh reviews a patient’s medical history and identifies any medical conditions that may disqualify him or her from buccal fat pad removal. He finds out why a patient is considering buccal fat pad removal to ensure the surgery aligns with this individual’s facial rejuvenation treatment goals, too.
If Dr. Azizzadeh finds that buccal fat pad removal is the best facial rejuvenation treatment for an individual, he then crafts a custom surgical plan. Dr. Azizzadeh performs a personalized buccal fat pad removal to help his patient simultaneously enhance his or her facial appearance and minimize the risk of complications. Also, Dr. Azizzadeh provides tips and recommendations to help his patient streamline the buccal fat pad recovery process.
Buccal fat pad removal patients sometimes experience swelling in the initial days after surgery. Dr. Azizzadeh recommends a patient keep his or her head elevated following buccal fat pad removal. He may also recommend the use of ice packs or pain medication to help buccal fat pad removal patients alleviate post-surgery pain and discomfort.
It may take up to six months before a patient experiences the full results of buccal fat pad removal. Dr. Azizzadeh monitors his patients’ progress in the months after buccal fat pad removal as well. This allows Dr. Azizzadeh to help buccal fat pad patients maximize their surgery results.
Schedule a Buccal Fat Pad Removal Consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh Today
Dr. Azizzadeh is happy to provide insights into buccal fat pad removal, how the procedure is performed and its benefits. In doing so, Dr. Azizzadeh helps individuals make informed decisions about buccal fat pad removal. To learn more about buccal fat pad removal or schedule a consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh, please call us today at 310-657-2203.