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What are Buccal Fat Pads?

We’re all born with buccal fat pads inside our cheeks. They are found beneath the cheekbones on either side of the mouth—and for some people, they are so prominent that a “chipmunk cheek” look develops and never goes away. 

Slimming the Face 

Most people lose their baby face around their late 20s, but due to heredity, some may never lose the unwanted chubby appearance in their cheeks.

Buccal fat pad removal (also called cheek reduction surgery) offers an option for those who want to reduce the size of their cheeks and achieve a slimmer, more defined look. Removal of these fat pads can greatly improve the contour of the face. 

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Buccal Fat Pad Removal Surgery Details

Buccal fat pad removal surgery is performed with the patient under local anesthesia, which will be administered via injections into the mouth. Once you’re numb, the surgeon will create incisions.

These incisions are concealed inside the mouth, near the molars. The muscle will be precisely and carefully separated from the buccal fat pad, and then the buccal fat pad will be removed and trimmed to a reduced size that will better fit the patient’s face. Once it has been trimmed to the proper size, it will be put back inside the cheek and the incision will be closed. The same process is done for the other side of the face. At Beautify at AMS in Chicago, buccal fat removal surgery takes approximately 30 minutes. 

Recovery 

  • Tenderness and swelling for 1-2 weeks 
  • Chewing may be difficult or painful for up to three weeks
  • Typically very little bruising 
  • Stitches are taken out after about 10 days
  • You may require a liquid diet of non-acidic foods for about one week
  • Crunchy foods must be avoided for at least two weeks
  • Sleeping with head elevated 
  •  Use an antiseptic mouthwash multiple times a day

Results

Early results will be visible in 1-2 weeks, but it may take up to four months for the swelling to completely subside and final results to become apparent. 

Once the results are finalized, you will notice that your cheeks have a much slimmer and more defined contour. Results are permanent if you maintain a stable weight; however, if you gain weight after the procedure, your cheeks may appear to become “weighty” again. 

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Buccal Fat Pad Removal at Beautify at AMS

Buccal fat pad removal at Chicago’s Beautify at AMS is just one of many procedures available. We pride ourselves in providing patients with a one-stop shop for plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures, offering a wide range of cosmetic services. Our high-end, boutique-style medical spa is attached to a beautiful, state-of-the-art, accredited surgical center where all surgeries are performed. We are focused on delivering exceptional results in a safe manner while providing a good experience for our patients. To us, it’s priceless when a patient looks in the mirror and likes what they see. If you’re in the Chicago area and you’re interested in buccal fat pad removal, we encourage you to contact us to schedule your consultation. 

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FAQ

At what age can I undergo buccal fat pad removal?

What other procedures can be done along with buccal fat pad removal to enhance results?

At what age can I undergo buccal fat pad removal?

The best way to know if you can have buccal fat pad removal is to set up a consultation with us. Because many people begin to lose facial fat in their 20s and 30s, it’s often best to have the surgery after this. If you have the procedure done too young, you may end up looking gaunt later on.

What other procedures can be done along with buccal fat pad removal to enhance results?

For additional enhancements to the face, we recommend Hi-Def 4D Liposculpture for fat reduction and sculpting, a neck lift, internal skin heating for lifting and skin tightening, surgical jawline implants, or chin and jawline enhancement for even more dramatic improvements.

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