Buccal fat removal, aka Bichectomy, is a cosmetic surgery performed to reduce the size of the cheeks. While fat cheeks look cute on kids, they have not considered an attractive feature for adults. And although most of us lose cheek fat as we age, some people don’t, and it can create self-esteem issues for many. Cheek fat can make a person appear fat even when they are at a normal weight. Many people get buccal fat removal surgery to get cheeks more contoured and improve their aesthetics.
Buccal fat removal has been massively popular in the last few years. If you are seeking to get fat removed from your cheeks, read on to learn more about this surgery and how it can help you get a slimmer, more attractive look.
How is buccal fat removal surgery done?
After giving the patient general anesthesia, the surgeon will remove fat from the inside of their cheeks. Inside your mouth, small incisions are made, usually just above the upper morals. The buccal fat pad is partially removed, which exists near the hollows of the cheek. Once the fat has been successfully removed, the incision is closed using sutures by the surgeon.
This is not a critical surgery and involves minimal invasion. It can seem to be very similar to any normal dental procedure.
What are the risks and complications involved?
As already mentioned above, buccal fat removal is a simple and easy surgery and does not have much risks involved. However, some of the common risks are given below:
- Asymmetry in the cheeks
- Damage to any nerves, or muscles of the face
- Infection
- Swelling
- Blood clot
- Persistent pain and discomfort
To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is always recommended to choose a qualified plastic surgeon.
Should I get this surgery done?
Buccal fat removal can seem to be the right choice for you if you have large cheeks, asymmetrical cheeks, or round cheeks.
Is the procedure painful, and how long does it take?
Since the patients are provided with local anesthesia, they don’t experience any discomfort during the surgery. However, after the effect of anesthesia wears off, one can experience swelling and pain. This is a short surgery, and the proceduregenerally takes near to an hour.
How is the recovery process?
After the surgery, it can take around 7 days for the swelling to go down. You may be asked to only take liquid diets for a few days after the buccal fat removal. Specific instructions need to be followed regarding follow-up with your surgeon, medications to take and apply to reduce the swelling and manage the pain, how to care for the surgical area so that there is no risk of infection, and what diet to take.
How to prepare for surgery?
Before the surgery, your surgeon may ask you to get a medical evaluation done. You will also be asked to stop smoking a day before the surgery and also stop taking certain medications such as aspirin and herbal supplements.
If you want more information, you can read our post: 5 Major Factors to Consider Before Proceeding with Plastic Surgery.
Will this surgery leave scars?
Since the incisions are made inside your mouth, you will not have any visible scars.
How much will the surgery cost?
The cost of getting buccal fat removal done depends on various factors, such as your location, surgeon and anesthesiologist fees, the services offered to you, whether it is combined with any other surgery, and so on. Buccal fat removal surgery can cost you somewhere around $1.500 on average.
When can I see the result of this surgery?
The result of buccal fat removal can be seen immediately once the swelling of your mouth subsides. Please note that the swelling in your cheeks can remain for up to 4-5 weeks. The best results can only be seen once the entire swelling goes away.
