Buccal Fat Removal is a popular cheek fat reduction surgery. It recently gained popularity after Chrissy Teigen– an American model and television personality– revealed her pleasure and satisfaction in undergoing the Buccal Fat Removal surgery. Ever since her revelation, the question on everyone’s mind has been, “What is Buccal Fat Removal?”
To answer all your questions and more, there is no better expert than Dr. John Mesa. John Mesa, MD, FACS: Top Specialist in Buccal Fat Removal & Facial Procedures Without General Anesthesia Dr. Mesa, a Harvard-trained, triple fellowship-trained plastic surgeon renowned for his beautiful and natural results, has been the keeper of one of Hollywood’s best-kept secrets: Buccal Fat Removal (BFR), a viral procedure among Hollywood’s biggest stars.
What is Buccal fat removal surgery?
Buccal fat is the fat that lies between your cheeks and jawbones and contributes to the structure of your face. Buccal fat is present in everyone; however, some individuals have more than others.
Buccal fat reduction is a minimal non-invasive surgery that removes fat from this region of your face. Removing this fat can bring attention to your face’s bone structure, particularly your cheekbones and the hollowed-out parts between your cheeks and jawline. This technique is also known as cheek reduction.
It is always crucial and required to talk with your plastic surgeon before any treatment. He will confirm that you are an ideal candidate for Buccal fat removal and go over specifics about the intended outcomes, procedure, and recovery.
Who needs Buccal fat removal?
There are several misconceptions about this operation, but the fact is that it is safe, fast, and no more painful than a cavity filling at the dentist. Ideal for round faces, baby cheeks, chipmunk cheeks, and chubby cheeks.
“If you inherited a round, chubby, or childish facial structure, your look could be enhanced with a customized facial procedure called buccal fat removal,” says Dr. Mesa. “A rounded facial structure — a baby face or chipmunk cheeks— can make you look heavier, even if you are slim and in good physical condition. Buccal fat pad removal is a minimally invasive procedure that creates a more sculpted facial profile.”
If your face is narrow or you are above a particular age, you may not be suitable for buccal fat surgery, as buccal fat reduces with age.
What to expect before your Buccal fat removal procedure
You’ll consult with your doctor before having Buccal fat removed. They’ll go through your surgery goals and what to expect before and after your treatment.
Your surgeon will examine you and most likely take images of your face during your initial visit. They will also ask you general questions about your health, such as your family’s medical history and previous procedures, your blood pressure, and discuss any current drugs you take.
You must inform your physician about your prescriptions, including herbal supplements. They may want you to stop drinking, smoking, or using tobacco products before surgery for favorable results.
Your doctor will answer any questions you have and explain what to expect during the procedure during this time. They might provide recommendations based on your unique goals and clarify any risks associated with the procedure.
What happens during the procedure?
Buccal fat reduction can be performed in a hospital or your plastic surgeon’s office, and you will be discharged the same day.
Once settled, you will be given local or general anesthesia, depending on the choice of the plastic surgeon, just before the Cheek Fat Reduction procedure begins. You will be awake throughout the surgery.
If you are having different procedures at the same time, you may be given general anesthesia.
After the anesthesia has taken effect, your surgeon will make an incision on the inside side of your cheek to expose the Buccal fat pads. They will then apply some pressure on your check to further expose the Buccal pads and cut them.
Following the removal of the fat pad, the incision will be repaired with absorbable sutures for a speedier recovery. The results immediately offer a nicely contoured face, particularly a thinner contoured cheek area; nevertheless, the final effects will take several weeks to notice. There will be no noticeable scar as well.
What to expect after the Buccal fat removal procedure
Your doctor will explain how to care for your incisions after the procedure. They may prescribe a specific mouth rinse to aid healing and avoid infection. You’ll be on a liquid diet for a few days while your incisions heal. You can gradually incorporate soft foods into your diet as your physician approves. Following surgery, you can expect swelling, numbness around the incisions, and a bit of bruising.
As your body heals, the swelling should progressively disappear. The healing period is about three weeks. However, it will take some time — generally several months — to see the final results.
Dr. John Mesa Buccal Fat Removal Procedure – A World-Class Experience
Dr. Mesa literally wrote the book on Buccal Fat Removal and Facial Procedures– the Atlas of Operative Craniofacial Surgery– which is written and endorsed by the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Society of Craniofacial Surgeons, co-authored by Dr. Mesa to teach other surgeons how to perform procedures on the face. This speaks to his unmatched expertise and knowledge of facial procedures.
Aside from Buccal surgery, Dr. Mesa also offers procedures from the neck up, including chin liposuction, neck lift, and facelift, using only local anesthesia. Dr. Mesa guarantees his patients the safest and most comfortable options for cosmetic surgery procedures–from chin liposuction to face tightening, including the jowl area– by using tiny incisions, allowing the patient to remain wide awake during minimally invasive procedures.
Dr. Mesa also specializes in facelifts under local anesthesia without twilight sedation (IV sedation). Using local anesthesia ensures that the procedure remains as painless as possible while helping to relieve anxiety for patients as they avoid side effects from IV sedation or general anesthesia, as well as feeling tired or developing a hematoma. Patients can also take care of themselves easily post-procedure because he only uses local anesthesia.
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