Buccal fat is the accumulated fat in your cheeks. Many people are not comfortable that they have cheeks that are too puffy or fat. It makes their entire weight loss regimen look futile or makes them gain the “chubby” image all their lives. The so-called “chubby” or “chipmunk” cheeks result to conditions such as being overweight. Genetics also plays a significant role in having this type of trait. This is why buccal fat removal is gaining popularity.

Accumulated buccal fat makes the face not proportionate with the neck and body if you already have lost a significant amount of weight. People undergo buccal fat removal procedure so that they may have a thinner looking face and so that their cheekbones may be more defined. They also want to enhance their appearance more, resulting to a higher confidence level. Here are some of the important considerations that you should keep in mind if you want to undergo buccal fat removal:

 

1. Medical History

Like in any medical procedure, buccal fat removal requires you to have your medical history cleared up. Your surgeon should really get a full picture of your health so that any medications to be used in the procedure will not harm you in any way.  Remember that you should tell your doctor everything and not keep any secrets. This would make sure that you will have a smooth buccal fat removal that will definitely give you all of its benefits.

 

 

 

2. Procedure

You will be injected with a local anesthesia when you undergo buccal fat removal. The surgeon will make a two to three-inch incision right between your gums and cheek leading towards the back portion of your mouth from above your second premolar. This incision exposes the buccinator muscles of the cheeks. Then, the surgeon squeezes out the fatty tissue and removes it with forceps. When all of the fat is removed, the surgeon closes up the incision made. Some resort to liposuction of the buccal fat but this procedure leaves scars.

 

 

3. Pain

After any types of surgery, pain in expected. In buccal fat removal, there will be a significant amount of pain that can be managed with pain medications. You should rest at home for at least a week and you should lessen strenuous activities a few weeks after your bed rest.

 

 

 

 

4. Result

When you have undergone buccal fat removal, you will be experiencing pain and discomfort and also difficulty in swallowing. It is recommended that you have a soft diet while you recover from your surgery. This type of diet will allow you to get all the dietary requirements that you need as you get to healing. After a week or so of recuperation, you may already be able to go back to work. Just make sure that you follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions so that you may be able to avoid any adverse effects or complications.

 

 

5. Limitations and risks

One of the biggest risks that you could have in your buccal fat removal is any adverse effect that the anesthetics could give you. Another thing is the numbness that comes natural after this procedure. This sensation loss is along the incision lines, cheeks, and jaws. You should make sure that the surgeon is knowledgeable about this so you could be safe all throughout the procedure until you recover.

You should remember that buccal fat naturally goes away as you age. When the time comes that you actually thin out around that area of your face, and you know you had buccal fat removal before, you may acquire a scrawny, unhealthy look. Buccal fat cannot be replaced anymore even if you get older.

 

 

6. Costs

Buccal fat  removal is a very costly procedure. It is a surgery that could be considered as a luxury so it can cost from 1,500 to 5,000 USD (professional fee only), depending on the facility or the company that you choose. If you are really determined to have this surgery, then you should save up more because there will be other things that you should buy after the surgery like medications.

 

 

 

 

You should always consult your surgeon before you really go under the knife with buccal fat removal. The risks included in this procedure are infection, anesthetic reactions, skin or cheek puckering, numbness of inner lining of the mouth and cheeks, damage to nerves, dissatisfaction, lumps, excessive scars, and asymmetry. Check and double check all of these to your physician so that your safety may be well taken care of and ensured.