Frequently Asked Questions About Buccal Fat Extraction
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1. What is buccal fat extraction?
2. At what age can buccal fat extraction be performed?
3. What does a typical buccal fat extraction consultation entail?
4. How is buccal fat extraction performed?
5. What should I expect postoperatively?
6. When will the stitches be removed and does this hurt?
7. When will I be able to see the results?
8. What are the risks of buccal fat extraction?
9. Are the results permanent?
1. What is buccal fat extraction?
Buccal fat extraction is the removal of a portion of the buccal fat pads in the cheeks. These fat pads are located in the lower cheeks and can contribute to an overly round or plump face or a "chipmunk cheek" appearance. Generally, having a very round face is a hereditary characteristic. However, many people lose facial fat as they get into their later 20s and 30s. If fat was removed before then, they may end up with a gaunt appearance and a face that looks too thin and even unhealthy. If you are thinking of buccal fat extraction, you might want to look at photos of some older relatives to see if they "outgrew" their chubby cheeks.
2. At what age can a Buccal Fat Extraction be performed?
Buccal fat removal has been performed as young as 18 and can be done at any age after that. However, it is usually not recommended in persons younger than 23 to 27 or so, due to the natural fat loss that occurs as we reach our mid- to late-20s and beyond. It is usually not necessary in persons over 50 as facial fat loss after late middle age is very common.
This is a plastic surgery that you should give thought to before deciding on. Although it is s relatively minor procedure, removing too much fat can be a problem. Excessive removal (or fat removal followed by a natural thinning of the face) can create a gaunt appearance. This gauntness can be alleviated by fat grafting, but this means additional cost and risk.
3. What does a typical buccal fat extraction consultation entail?
Your surgeon will go over your options and discuss your goals and what can realistically be achieved with extracting the buccal fat pads. He or she will also discuss the risks and complications of the surgery, anesthesia choices, fees, and what to expect postoperatively. This consultation is when you can ask questions about the surgery and see if this surgeon is a good choice for you. Do not be afraid to ask questions about anything.
4. How is buccal fat extraction performed?
After you are anesthetized, usually with a local or regional anesthetic injection and perhaps a sedative, the surgeon will make an incision on one side of the inside of your mouth between your upper molars and inner cheek. The surgeon will push a bit on the outside of the cheek to push the buccal fat bad through the incision and then remove small bits of the fat pad a little at a time. He or she will then repeat this on the other side of your face. The incisions will be sutured and you can usually go home after you have recovered a bit and any sedation used has worn off.
5. What should I expect postoperatively?
You can expect your lower face and mouth to be sore. swollen and tender. You may also have some bruising, but this may be on the inside of your mouth. You may be put on a special diet of foods that are not acid and that will not irritate your incisions. You may be told to refrain from raw meats and to wash all raw vegetables and fruits thoroughly. Take extra care, because incisions in your mouth are prone to infections, so don't play with them with your tongue. You may be instructed to sleep with your head elevated and rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day. The swelling should very much dissipate after the first two weeks.
6. When will the stitches be removed and does this hurt?
The sutures will usually be removed in approximately a few days after your surgery. The suture removal should not hurt severely, although your surgeon may feel around inside your mouth and this may hurt a little. Suture removal is usually over quite quickly.
7. When will I be able to see the results?
Although most swelling dissipates in one or two weeks, it may take anywhere from 2 to 4 months to see the full results after buccal fat extraction. You should see the preliminary results within a week or two.
8. What are the risks of buccal fat extraction?
Buccal fat extraction, like all surgery, has risks and complications. These risks include allergic reaction to the anesthetic used . There is also the chance of damage to some of the nerves of the face, hematoma (a pocket of clotted blood), seroma (a pocket of blood serum), and infection. You may also have an asymmetrical results or just be unhappy with the result.
Numbness of the cheeks or lower face is possible, but it usually subsides within the first few weeks. However, it can be permanent. Puckering of the skin may occur, as can unwanted depressions in the cheeks or lumps.
Lastly, it is possible to appear gaunt if too much fat was taken out, or if the procedure was performed before you lost much of your facial fat. You lose facial fat with age and you may end up with a thin, unhealthy look in later years. Please consider this before you commit to buccal fat extraction. Facial fat grafting can be used to fix this problem, but it is better to avoid the problem in the first place.
The results of buccal fat extraction are permanent. However, if you gain a marked amount of weight gain in the future, your cheeks may look fat again. But usually without substantial fat gain the buccal fat pads do not return.