Fullness in the lower cheeks is hereditary and can’t be changed with diet or exercise. Those round, chubby cheeks that look so adorable in your baby photos are thanks to what is known as buccal fat pads, which we’re all born with. As we grow, that chubby face usually transforms into a more sculpted adult face with cheekbone highlights and a distinct jawline. However, this isn’t the case for everyone and some people retain their baby face into adulthood, due to genetics, and it can make them appear overweight or as if they have “chipmunk” cheeks.In fact, many patients who consider themselves with “chubby cheeks” are slim and have appropriate weight. These patients are typically born with this excess facial fat, which normally doesn’t respond to a healthy diet or regular exercise. Patients who want to slim the face can consider cheek fat reduction surgery, also known as buccal fat reduction. The minor procedure removes a majority of this mid facial cheek fat via small incisions inside the mouth. The procedure typically takes takes less than an hour and has quick recovery.
This volume is frequently associated with youth. However, due to various factors, the buccal fat pads can produce a very rounded appearance to a face, regardless of someone’s weight. The buccal fat pad actually extends higher than the cheek into the upper jaw. Because of this, Dr. Somenek prefers to perform a reduction rather than a removal. An over-reduction or complete removal of the fat pad may look good at first. However, with progressive aging and continued facial volume loss it can create a sunken or gaunt appearance.
In general, plastic surgery costs include the surgeon's fee, anesthesia fee, facility fee, lab fees, medication costs and the cost of related items such as bandages. The upfront cost of buccal fat extraction is also increased if you have other procedures performed at the same time. However, you will save money in the long run because you only pay the facility and anesthesia fees once.
Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery, LLC offers numerous cosmetic procedures to improve the appearance of the face, including other minimally invasive surgeries to enhance the eyes, cheeks, chin, lips and nose. Owner and facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Benjamin Stong is dual board certified in Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
The incisions are closed with dissolvable. The procedure normally completed within an hour. For 2 weeks after your surgery it is advisable for you to sleep on 2 pillows, so as to keep your head elevated. It is also advisable to rest for around 3 weeks. You will have some discomfort, but this should be controlled by pain medication prescribed for you.
Learn more in our comprehensive article on the dangerous combination of smoking and cosmetic surgery. The buccal fat extraction procedure takes about an hour and is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. It may be combined with other procedures, such as facelift, brow lift or eyelid surgery, in which case the treatment time will be longer. Once the anesthesia has been administered, your surgeon makes incisions inside your mouth. These incisions are about two to four centimeters long and are located opposite your second upper molar.
Buccal fat removal, or cheek reduction, is the surgical removal of fat pads from the cheeks. These fat pads hide natural facial contours, resulting in a “chipmunk cheeks” appearance. Incisions are made inside the mouth, so there is no visible scarring. Preliminary results can be seen immediately, but it can take up to three months for final results.
At the end of the consultation, you can schedule an appointment for the procedure. At your appointment, you will have all associated risk and complications explained to you in detail. While most people can have the procedure performed with little to no complications, all surgeries do carry a risk. In general, surgeries such as this one could potentially cause excessive bleeding, infection, poor healing at the incision site, or prolonged swelling.
