Buccal
Fat Removal

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:

• Present significant amounts of fat in his or her cheeks.
• Feel self-conscious about the size or shape of their cheeks.
• Be generally healthy enough for a surgical procedure.
• Be able to maintain a relatively steady body weight.
• Have realistic expectations about what your buccal fat removal results may look like.

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.