There are some areas of the body that can be difficult to sculpt through diet and exercise alone. Your cheeks are one of those areas. That’s why some patients request a procedure known as Buccal fat removal, an aesthetic surgery designed to make the cheeks appear slimmer.
Consultation
Michael Ogilvie, MD, FACS
Most patients who are interested in a buccal fat removal procedure feel self-conscious about cheeks that appear overly chubby compared to the other features of the face. During the procedure, the buccal pad–the special area of fat in your cheeks–is removed or trimmed according to the desired results.
The results of buccal fat removal can make patients’ faces appear slimmer, more proportional, and more athletic.
Every plastic surgery procedure with Dr. Ogilvie begins with a thorough consultation. During your consultation, you’ll be able to ask questions about the procedure, your results, and any surgical concerns you might have. At the same time, Dr. Ogilvie will be able to make some determinations about what approaches might achieve the best possible results for your unique physiology.
To make an appointment for your consultation, contact our offices to speak with our scheduling staff.
Typically, there are two circumstances in which buccal fat removal is a popular option. In the first, buccal fat is removed as part of an overall facelift procedure. In the second, buccal fat is the primary target because the patient wants a slimmer more toned facial appearance.
A good candidate for buccal fat removal will typically:
Buccal fat removal procedures are usually not a good fit for patients who do not have much fat around their cheeks or patients who already exhibit “hollow”-looking cheeks.
During your consultation with Dr. Ogilvie, you’ll talk about what you can expect from your buccal fat removal procedure, from preparation to recovery. You’ll be able to talk about the changes you want to see and Dr. Ogilvie will recommend the best ways to achieve your goals.
A buccal fat removal procedure is most often performed on an outpatient basis. Patients arrive slightly before their scheduled operation time and are allowed to return home once the initial effects of the anesthesia have worn off.
Anesthesia — Buccal fat removal can be performed under general anesthesia or using a combination of local anesthesia with a sedative element.
Incisions — Dr. Ogilvie will make a small incision along the inside of your mouth. This will allow Dr. Ogilvie access to the buccal fat pad without creating any noticeable scarring. If you are undergoing buccal fat removal as part of a facelift procedure, an incision inside the mouth may not be necessary. Once the incision is made, Dr. Ogilvie will trim the buccal fat pad (sometimes assisted by liposuction techniques).
Closing the Incision — Once the buccal fat pad has been reduced, sutures are used to close the incisions. In most cases, these sutures are designed to dissolve on their own, but this can vary from patient to patient.
Patients who undergo a buccal fat removal procedure will usually start to see results once swelling has subsided. This process may take several weeks. Once results are evident, patients will notice a significant but natural change in the way their cheeks appear.
If you want to know more about how buccal fat removal works, or whether it’s a good fit for you on an individual level, contact our offices to set up a consultation with Dr. Ogilvie. As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Ogilvie has years of experience working with patients on precisely this type of procedure.
Dr. Ogilvie can help you determine the best steps forward if you want your cheeks to look slimmer and more athletic. If you want to know more about buccal fat removal, contact our office today to set up an appointment and get started on your cheek transformation!
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Dr. Ogilvie is very professional and compassionate. I trusted and felt comfortable with him from our first consultation. He took the time to explain the process and what I should expect (from facial fillers). I appreciated the fact that he did not try to recommend any procedures I did not need or want. Dr. Ogilvie thoroughly and patiently answered my questions. I always felt as if I was his only patient. I am so happy with my results. He placed the filler perfectly and my results were exactly what I wanted. What a great experience!
Dr. Ogilvie has amazing people skills. He is a professional, genuine and caring and makes you feel comfortable. I was very impressed as to how he explained the type of procedures that were available and which options were best for me. He answered all my questions thoroughly and his patience is remarkable. Excellent experience.