So you’ve made significant weight loss progress but are still dealing with larger cheeks that won’t go away. Now what?
You may be surprised to learn that buccal fat, or the pads of fat in the cheeks, aren’t responsive to weight loss efforts. Instead, genetics and other factors can stand in the way of your desired appearance. Fortunately, buccal fat removal surgery reduces and removes these fat pads to create a face shape that matches your weight loss results.
Keep reading our blog to learn how buccal fat removal in Oklahoma City can create the slimmer profile of your dreams, or visit the Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates website to schedule your consultation with one of our triple board-certified surgeons.
What is buccal fat?
Buccal fat is the pad of adipose fat between your cheekbones and jawbones. Its main purpose is to facilitate movement of the facial muscles and protect neurovascular structures in the face.
Everyone has buccal fat, but some people may have more of it than others. This amount is often dictated by age and genetics.
Those with more buccal fat generally have a rounder face shape and fuller cheeks. Those with less tend to have more prominent cheekbones and a V-shaped face.
Buccal Fat and Weight Loss
Buccal fat stays at a consistent volume throughout life. As a person’s face grows in size with age, the buccal fat mass remains at a constant size.
This also means that buccal fat is less likely to fluctuate during periods of weight gain and loss.
At Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates, we understand how frustrating it can be to achieve significant weight loss but not see those efforts reflected in your face. Fortunately, buccal fat removal in Oklahoma City is a useful tool in creating a face shape that matches your weight loss goals and your ideal appearance.
What is buccal fat removal surgery?
Buccal fat removal is a surgical procedure that reduces or removes the pad of fat between your cheeks and jaw bones. Often referred to as a buccal lipectomy, this procedure creates a narrower face shape to emphasize the cheekbones and jawline.
The best candidates for buccal fat removal in Oklahoma City are those who want to reduce the fullness or roundness of their cheeks.
Buccal fat removal is a less favorable option for individuals who already have a narrow face shape. This can result in a gaunt, sunken in appearance.
We also do not recommend buccal fat removal for older individuals, as they may lack skin elasticity and experience sagging in the lower face.
What to Expect From Buccal Fat Removal
Think buccal fat removal might be right for you? Here’s a quick run-through of what you can expect from the buccal fat removal process at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates.
A Comprehensive Consultation
Your buccal fat removal journey will begin with a consultation with one of our triple board-certified surgeons.
During this consultation, your surgeon will provide an in-depth explanation of buccal fat removal in Oklahoma City. At Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates, we prioritize patient education to ensure you have a complete understanding of all your options.
You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your goals for buccal fat removal. This will help your surgeon determine how much of the buccal fat pad should be removed during your procedure.
At this time, you’ll also be asked general questions about your overall health. This includes information about your medical history and any procedures you’ve had done in the past.
Be sure to notify your surgeon if you’re taking any medications, herbs, or supplements that could complicate your procedure. Additionally, your surgeon may ask that you stop smoking or using tobacco products to not compromise your results.
A Simple Procedure
For your buccal fat removal in Oklahoma City, you’ll first receive local anesthetic to minimize pain and discomfort. Your CSA surgeon may use general anesthesia if you are combining buccal fat removal with another facial procedure.
To begin, your surgeon will make a small incision on the inside of your mouth to expose the buccal fat pads. They will then press gently on the pads to further expose them for easy access.
From there, your surgeon will cut out a portion of the fat pad or remove it entirely. Your surgeon will then close the incision site with sutures and repeat the process on the other side.
A Short Recovery
The recovery period from buccal fat removal in Oklahoma City generally lasts up to 3 weeks. It can take a few months before you’ll be able to see the final results from your procedure.
We recommend taking 2 to 4 days off from work and strenuous activity to ensure optimal recovery.
Your surgeon will put you on a liquid diet for a day or two after your procedure while your incisions heal. You’ll be able to add soft foods back into your diet as per your surgeon’s instructions.
Bruising, swelling, and numbness at the incision sites are common side effects of buccal fat removal. These symptoms can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and ice packs. They will also subside in the days and weeks after your procedure.
Be sure to notify your surgeon if you develop the following symptoms or conditions:
- Excessive bleeding
- Fever
- Redness or pus
- An unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Facial drooping
- Excessive numbness or tingling
- Facial asymmetry
Your surgeon will give you a detailed post-surgery care guide after your procedure. We strongly recommend following this guide and attending all check-in appointments to ensure proper healing.
Common Questions About Buccal Fat Removal
Still have questions about buccal fat removal in Oklahoma City? The following contains more information on this facial-defining procedure:
What other procedures does buccal fat removal pair well with?
At Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates, we commonly perform facelifts with buccal fat removal for enhanced facial contouring and rejuvenation.
A facelift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that creates a youthful appearance by smoothing folds of skin on the cheeks and jawline. When combined with buccal fat removal, these procedures create a lifted, sculpted profile that defies the hands of time.
We also commonly perform buccal fat removal in combination with facial liposuction.
Liposuction is a procedure that uses suction to remove fat from specific areas of the body. When combined, buccal fat removal and liposuction in the neck and chin work together to create a slimmer and balanced profile.
Does buccal fat grow back?
No. Buccal fat removal is permanent because buccal fat pads do not grow back.
It’s important to note that buccal fat removal does not prevent a fat increase in other areas of the face. If you gain back the weight that you previously lost, fat cells can still grow in other areas of the face.
How much does buccal fat removal cost?
Buccal fat removal in Oklahoma City is an elective procedure, which means most insurance companies will not cover the cost.
At Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates, we offer the following financing options to create the most affordable procedure experience possible:
- CareCredit – Choose between a variety of payment plans to fit your budget without up-front costs or prepayment penalties.
- Cherry – Get pre-approved to pay regular installments without harming your credit score.
- PatientFi – Create a payment plan that revolves around your unique financial needs, looking beyond your credit score.
We also have a membership plan that involves exclusive discounts and flexible monthly rates to help save on procedures. Our plans are designed to align with your specific goals, lifestyle, and budget.
Please contact us to learn more about our payment and membership plans.
Why Choose Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates
When it comes to facial procedures, you can trust that you’re in good hands at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates.
Our team follows the strictest standards for operating room procedures and surgical safety protocols. This is to ensure you feel comfortable, safe, and cared for from consultation to post-operative check-in.
Our surgeons are triple board-certified, which means they have gone well beyond the minimum requirements for their chosen speciality.
The title of board certification requires the completion of a surgical residency lasting 5 to 8 years. It also involves rigorous testing on medical knowledge, clinical knowledge, and diagnostic skills.
To be triple board-certified, a surgeon has to complete this process 3 separate times.
Finally, we approach every patient and procedure with empathy. We strive to truly understand our patients, so they leave our practice feeling heard and cared for.
Compassion matters, which is why we work hard to bring the heart to cosmetic surgery.
Schedule Your Appointment
For all the time and energy you put into your weight loss goals, you deserve to have a face shape that reflects your hard work.
Buccal fat removal in Oklahoma is the perfection option to cut down facial roundness and sculpt a slimmer profile.
To see if buccal fat removal is right for you, visit our website and schedule your consultation with one of expert surgeons.
Interested in other facial procedures, like a neck lift and double chin removal? Read our latest blog posts to learn more.
