Do you think your cheeks are fat? Let's talk about Buccal Fat Removal!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, "Why does my face look fat even though I'm thin?"? Do you sometimes think that your cheeks look bigger when you take a photo? This is a problem that many people have. In fact, one of the things that determines the shape of our face is the fat in our cheeks. Today we are going to talk about a surgery that removes fat from these cheeks and gives the face a slimmer, more defined shape. It is called Buccal Fat Removal.

What is this Buccal Fat?

Simply put, this is the fat pad between our cheekbones and jawbones. To be precise, the layer of fat on the inside of the cheek. Everyone has this. But some people have a little more of this fat pad. That's why some people's faces look round or a little full (chubby cheeks). Although this looks very cute when they are young, some people don't like this full look as they get older.

Buccal Fat Removal is a plastic surgery procedure that removes excess fat from the inside of your cheeks. This can help to make your cheekbones more prominent and create a hollowed-out look between your cheekbones and jawline. Some people also call this "cheek reduction."

Who is this surgery really suitable for?

Not everyone can have this surgery, and not everyone will need it. If you're thinking about it, consider the factors below to see if they're right for you.

• Even if your weight is normal, only your cheeks look big and full.
• If you really don't like this round look on your face and it has affected your self-confidence.
• If you are in good health and maintain your body weight at a stable level (this is not ideal if you are someone who constantly gains and loses weight).

Who is not suitable for this surgery?

• If your face is naturally thin: If someone who already has a thin face undergoes this surgery, their face may appear saggy or sunken as they age.
• If you are a bit older: As we age, our facial fat naturally decreases. Therefore, if you have this surgery at an older age, your face may look sunken and older than expected.
• If you have serious health problems: You should discuss your health condition with your doctor before any surgery.

This surgery is usually performed by a doctor who has specialized training in plastic surgery, that is, a licensed plastic surgeon.

What happens before the surgery?

If you decide to have this surgery, you will first need to meet with the doctor. During this appointment, many important things will be discussed.

1. Your expectations: The doctor will ask you what you expect from this surgery. It is very important to be honest and have realistic expectations here.

2. Health check: The doctor will examine your face. He may take some photos. He will also ask about your general health. He will ask about any medical conditions in your family, any surgeries you have had, and any medications you are currently taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). It is important to tell the doctor about all the medications you are taking.

3. Basic tests: They do basic things like measuring your blood pressure.

4. Advice: For best results, your doctor may advise you to quit smoking before surgery if you smoke .

5. Ask questions: This is the best time to ask all the questions you have. Ask questions like how the surgery is done, what the risks are, and how long it will take to recover.

What happens during surgery?

This is usually not a major, complicated surgery. It can be done in an operating room at a hospital or doctor's office. You can often go home the same day.

Here's what you can expect during surgery:

• Numbness: First, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb your face. So you won't feel any pain. But you will be conscious. However, if you are having another surgery at the same time, you may be given general anesthesia. In that case, you will need someone to take you home after the surgery.
• A small incision: Next, the doctor will make a very small incision inside your mouth, on the inside of each cheek. This will leave no visible scar on the outside of your face.
• Fat removal: The buccal fat pad is taken out through the incision, and the required amount is cut off and removed. The doctor gently presses the cheek from the outside to help remove this fat.
• Suturing: Finally, the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures. This means you don't have to come back to have the stitches removed. However, in some cases, regular stitches may be used. If that's the case, your doctor will tell you about it in advance.

This entire process usually takes less than an hour.

What to expect after surgery?

After the surgery, your doctor will explain to you how to care for your incisions. He or she may also recommend using a special mouth rinse to prevent infection and speed up healing.

The following are things you can usually expect after surgery.

It usually takes about three weeks for the wounds to fully heal. However, it may take several months (usually 3-6 months) to see the final results. This is because it takes time for the internal tissues to fully heal and the swelling to completely go down.

What are the risks of this surgery?

As with any surgery, there are some risks involved. That's why it's important to be aware of these things before making a decision. Your doctor will explain these risks to you.

• Infection: Cuts can become infected. To prevent this, you should follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
• Injury to facial nerves: This is very rare. However, if it does happen, it can cause temporary or permanent problems, such as weakness of the facial muscles and drooping of one side of the face.
• Salivary duct injury: The ducts of our salivary glands run through the cheek. There is a small chance that this could be damaged during surgery.
• Numbness or sensation changes: Sometimes, numbness in the cheek may persist.
• Asymmetry: If the same amount of fat is not removed from both cheeks, the face may appear uneven on both sides.
• Excessive fat removal: If more fat is removed than necessary, the face can look old and sunken.

Most of these risks are very rare, especially if you have the surgery performed by an experienced, qualified doctor.

When you need to see a doctor urgently

Buccal fat removal is generally a safe procedure. However, if you experience any of the symptoms below, you should contact your doctor immediately.

• If there is excessive bleeding .
• If you see signs of infection (e.g., the wound is red, hot to the touch, pus is coming out, there is a fever).
• If the appearance of the cheeks is clearly uneven or if the wounds are not healing properly.
• If you feel a strange taste in your mouth or suspect damage to your salivary glands.

Questions to ask your doctor

When you talk to a doctor about this, don't forget to ask these questions.

1. Is this cheekbone reduction surgery really right for me?

2. Can I see 'before-and-after' photos of previous surgeries like this?

3. What are the main risks of this surgery?

4. How long does it take to fully recover after surgery?

5. Will this surgery leave scars on the outside of the face?

6. What changes might occur in the appearance of my face over time (as I age)?

7. What if there is a complication after the surgery?

8. What problems can arise if things don't go as expected?

Having plastic surgery like this is a very personal decision. So, weigh the benefits and risks carefully and decide if it's right for you. If you have concerns about the fullness of your cheeks, it's best to talk to a plastic surgeon about it.