PROCEDURE
Buccal Fat Removal
If you’ve ever felt that your face carries a somewhat childlike roundness, often termed as having ‘chipmunk cheeks’, or if you’ve desired a sharper, more chiselled facial contour, then a buccal fat removal procedure could be a suitable solution for you. It’s designed to bring greater definition to your mid-face, enhancing the prominence of your cheekbones and slimming the overall appearance of your face.
Buccal fat removal, more formally referred to as buccal lipectomy, is a specialised surgical intervention designed to address excess fat deposits in the cheeks. This procedure carried out through a discreet internal incision inside the mouth, eliminates the possibility of any visible external scarring.
It’s important to understand that the buccal fat pad, located beneath the muscles of the lower cheek, varies significantly between individuals and often remains unaffected by general body weight, meaning that for many people, diet and exercise aren’t able to get this fat to budge.
While procedures like liposuction are not advisable for the reduction of the buccal fat pad – due to potential risks to the nearby nerves – buccal fat removal can be synergistically performed with liposuction and other cosmetic procedures targeting other parts of the face, ensuring a more aesthetic and well-rounded appearance. However, buccal fat removal in London is not for everyone as volume in the face as we age can be considered one of the aspects of a youthful appearance.
At a glance
Procedure Length:
Typically 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Out Patient:
No overnight stay is required.
Anaesthesia:
Local anaesthesia, with or without sedation.
Downtime:
5-7 days for most patients, with minimal activity recommended for the first 48 hours post-procedure.
Showering:
Wait 48 hours post-procedure before showering to protect incisions and resume with gentle cleansing after.
Sleeping:
Sleep with the head elevated for the first few nights to reduce swelling.
Make-Up:
Refrain using on or near the surgical area for at least 7 days or until wounds are fully healed.
Driving:
Avoid driving for at least 24 hours post-procedure, or until off pain medications.
Smoking:
Avoid smoking at least 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks post-procedure.
Sun Exposure:
Limited for 2 weeks. Use a high-SPF and protective wear when outside.
Is Buccal Fat Removal the Right Choice for You?
For those who believe their face appears excessively round or carries a fullness they’d like to reduce, buccal fat removal offers the possibility of a more long-term solution to a more balanced look. However, there are certain criteria individuals must meet to deem whether this procedure is applicable or not:
– It’s essential to be within a close range of your ideal weight, preferably within 10kg, to be considered an ideal candidate.
-You must identify whether the roundness of the face is primarily due to buccal fat pads or subcutaneous fat resulting from weight gain.
– For individuals with inherently slender faces, removal of the buccal fat pad might result in an excessively thin appearance, lacking the natural fullness provided by these pads.
Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal
It’s important to grasp the key benefits of buccal fat removal. This helps you set realistic expectations for the outcome and affirms your decision to undergo a buccal fat removal procedure. Below are just some of the many benefits that this treatment has to offer:
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No Visible Scars:
The procedure is done inside the mouth, so no external scars are left.
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Slimmer Appearance:
Done right, the face takes on a more refined, leaner look, helping you get that slim look that exercise or diet hasn’t been able to give.
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Permanent Results:
The contoured appearance stays, even if you gain weight later.
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Quick Procedure:
The entire operation usually wraps up in just over an hour.
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Short Downtime:
Most people are back to work in about 3 days.
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Matured Look:
Ideal for adults wanting to shed the ‘baby face’ and achieve a mature facial contour.
Buccal Fat Removal Procedure Steps
Buccal fat removal is a delicate procedure, designed to enhance facial contours by reducing excessive cheek fullness. Understanding how the buccal fat removal procedure works can give you some reassurance if you’re worried about how the procedure may go or if you want more clarity. The steps involved during the procedure are tailored based on individual requirements, but generally follow the outline below:
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Anaesthesia
To ensure patient comfort, local anaesthesia is administered, sometimes coupled with sedation based on patient and surgeon preferences.
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Incision
A small internal incision, typically about 2 cm or smaller, is made on the inside of the cheek, often in the region opposite the second upper molar.
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Exposing and Removing the Fat
The buccal fat pad is carefully exposed by delicately separating the underlying tissues. Once sufficiently exposed, the buccal fat is gently teased out, and the desired amount is excised. This is done with precision to achieve the intended facial contour.
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Closure
The incision is meticulously sutured using dissolvable stitches, which naturally degrade over time.
Risks and Complications
Every surgical procedure, including buccal fat removal, carries inherent risks. While modern surgical and anaesthetic techniques are broadly safe, patients must be aware of the potential complications, both specific to the procedure and general in nature.
There’s a possibility of unevenness between the two cheeks post-operation. This is normal and may be corrected following a smaller procedure.
This can lead to a hematoma, where blood collects in the cheek.
In some cases, infections may arise, necessitating antibiotic treatment.
The incisions may heal slowly, particularly in smokers or those with diabetes.
This refers to the build-up of fluid in the cheek, which might require drainage.
Typically a temporary sensation post-operation.
Care is taken, but there’s a slight risk of damage to a salivary duct.
On rare occasions and in theory, branches of the facial nerve which lie close to the site of surgery can be injured, leading to muscle weakness which is nearly always temporary but can be long-lasting.
Recovery
After the procedure, consistently apply cold compresses to your cheeks to minimise swelling and soothe discomfort, especially for the first 3 days. Drinking cool water is also recommended. With the surgical incisions made inside your cheeks, it’s essential to consume soft foods, avoiding anything too warm or spicy for the initial 24 hours.
It’s natural to experience swelling post-surgery, and you might notice your face appearing fuller due to the body’s fluid response. Most of this swelling typically subsides within two weeks. However, it’s important to be patient, as the full results, revealing a more contoured face, may take between three to six months to fully manifest. Regular follow-ups with Mr Kshem Yapa will ensure a smooth healing journey.
Buccal Fat Removal FAQ's
Buccal fat removal is quite different from face fat removal, despite the terms sometimes being used interchangeably. The buccal removal focuses on a very specific part of the cheek, the buccal fat pad. The buccal fat pad can be found deep beneath the muscles of the lower cheek, and it’s not something that typically responds to weight loss or exercise, causing frustration among those who have tried everything to achieve a more defined facial structure. General face fat, on the other hand, includes subcutaneous fat throughout the face, which isn’t something this procedure addresses.
Deciding if buccal fat removal is right for you begins with recognising what may be causing the fullness in your face. For example, if you are at your ideal weight with a healthy BMI, your buccal fat pads may play a role in the fullness of your face.
During your consolation for buccal fat removal, Kshem Yaoa will examine your facial structure, allowing him to determine what’s causing the facial fullness. Patients should be aware that inflammation from poor diet, hormones, water weight and other conditions can contribute to a more “puffy” appearance, so targeting these issues may be suggested before opting for surgery.
Should you rule out these adjustable causes for face-fulness, buccal fat removal may then be the right solution for you. Removing too much volume from the face can create a hollow or aged appearance over time, so consider this before committing to surgery and possibly creating a more aged look.
The starting cost for buccal fat removal with Mr Yapa is from £4,500 with general anaesthetic, but this depends on your specific case — and whether you’re combining it with other procedures, such as chin enhancement or a neck lift. The quote provided after your consultation will include everything: the procedure itself, your pre-and post-operative care, follow-up appointments, and direct access to our aftercare team. There are no hidden costs or surprise extras — everything is explained clearly before you commit.
This procedure isn’t one with immediate “after” results; it’s quite common for the face to look a little fuller in the first few days due to swelling. Most of this subsides within the first 2 weeks, but the outcome takes around 3 to 6 months to take its final shape and subside all deeper swelling. That’s when the facial contours settle and the cheekbones appear more defined. Buccal fat removal transformations can be a slow reveal, but one that’s typically worth the wait.
This is a fair concern, and it’s part of why patient selection is so important. Facial volume tends to decrease with age, and if too much fat is removed too early, the face can lose its softness and take on a more hollow appearance over time. That’s why Mr Yapa takes a conservative approach. He’ll assess not just your current facial shape but also your likely ageing pattern and may advise against the procedure altogether if your facial volume is already low. The goal is always long-term balance, not short-term change.
There will be zero visible scarring from buccal fat removal. The incision is made inside the mouth, usually near the second upper molar, which means there are no visible scars. The sutures used are dissolvable, and with good oral hygiene and proper healing, most patients never notice any lasting marks inside the cheek.
Buccal fat removal is often paired with additional treatments to provide patients with the facial rejuvenation results they seek. For example, patients may combine buccal fat removal with chin augmentation, jawline refinement, or neck liposuction, especially when the goal is an overall more sculpted lower face. Mr Yapa will only recommend combination treatments if they’re appropriate for your facial structure and safe to perform together.
