Buccal Fat Removal Sydney (Cheek Reduction Surgery)
- Not covered by private health insurance or Medicare
- Day procedure only
- Cosmetic elective procedure
Cheek reduction surgery (buccal fat pad reduction) is performed to address patient concerns about large cheeks due to a prominent fat pad in the lower part of the cheek. The procedure is designed to reduce the fat in the cheeks and can create the appearance of enhanced or altered cheekbones, subject to the individual patient’s facial anatomy.
If the procedure is performed in isolation, the surgeon makes incisions inside the mouth so that there is no external visible scar. Some patients choose to combine a buccal fat pad reduction with a second surgery, such as a facelift (rhytidectomy), but this will be different for all patients.
The buccal fat pad is a large unit with mass in the temple region, the cheek region and the pterygoid region (back of the upper jaw). There is no need to remove the entire buccal fat pad. Therefore, we most commonly reduce the fat pad in the cheek region. We always warn patients about total removal as it will slim the face, but a decade later can lead to an unwanted appearance. This means the procedure is not for everyone, and results can vary. Remember, you have to live with your face for the rest of your life, and all fat is not “bad fat”.
The outcomes of cheek buccal fat reduction
A rounded cheek contour is a common cosmetic concern, especially for those with natural fullness in this area. Although some amount of facial fullness is considered a sign of youth, cheek volume can also make the face look wider and less defined. Men or women with large cheeks or rounded faces may desire a slimmer face and a more defined cheek contour. This is where buccal fat reduction can be of benefit.
Also called cheek reduction surgery, or cheek liposuction, buccal fat reduction is a common cosmetic procedure. Some of the benefits include:
- It is considered a simple procedure
- Does not involve external scarring
- Can create altered contours and definition in the cheeks
- Can be confined with other procedures, such as facelift (rhytidectomy)
Cheek reduction surgery candidate
While this procedure can offer a number of benefits, patients must be good candidates in order to proceed. It is important to know that results will vary according to the patient’s surgical plan and natural anatomy. This means you should discuss your expectations with Dr Norris to make sure your goals are realistic.
In general, a good candidate for buccal fat reduction is:
- Healthy and at a stable weight
- Bothered by the appearance of large cheeks
- Realistic in their expectations
- A non-smoker
- Aware of the risks of surgery
In order to be a good candidate, you will have to discuss your motives, hopes, goals, and concerns with a qualified surgeon. Dr Norris is a highly trained surgeon who provides consultations for patients seeking buccal fat reduction in Sydney.
Initial consultation
Getting any cosmetic surgery is a significant decision that requires the guidance of a skilled surgeon. If you are thinking about getting buccal fat reduction (cheek reduction surgery), a consultation is a good opportunity to get your questions answered.
Dr. Norris will ask you about your facial cosmetic concerns and medical history. Then, he will begin developing a plan for your procedure, focusing on your desired outcomes and unique features. He may also need to assess your skin condition and whether you have any laxity around the jawline and cheeks, as well as the amount of fat tissue present. If you have thinner fat pads, you may not be a candidate. This is because reducing fat pads that are already thin can have adverse cosmetic effects and may contribute to a more aged appearance.
Dr Norris can talk you through the procedure process, including where he will place your incisions. You can also ask questions about the recovery, costs, and risks, to ensure you are aware of what to expect. If you decide to go ahead with your buccal fat reduction, you can schedule a second consultation. There, you can finalise your surgical plan and ask any other questions that may have come up.
The procedure
Dr Norris performs buccal fat pad removals in fully accredited medical facilities. You will be introduced to the anaesthetist with whom Dr Norris works closely, who will give you a general anaesthetic. The procedure can take up to an hour, depending on how much of the fat pads need to be removed. After Dr Norris has removed a portion of the fat pads, he will use sutures to close the incisions. The sutures in your mouth are dissolvable, therefore you will only come back to see Dr Norris to check on the swelling and bruising. Daily washing of your mouth with salt water, especially after eating, will help ensure your wounds are kept clean. You will also need to eat soft foods for the first week, as the incision will cause some discomfort.
Buccal fat pad reduction surgery is designed to be permanent, but results can vary. Due to swelling, you should expect that the results will not be visible until several months after the procedure. However, patients should be aware that the surgery won’t prevent the natural ageing process from taking effect. Patients may decide to get additional procedures and products later on.
What happens after the cheek reduction (buccal fat pad reduction) surgery
The procedure generally takes an hour to complete, and patients need to stay in the hospital for several hours. Dr Norris will let you know when you can leave and continue your recovery at home. Remember that you will not be able to drive after surgery, so you should have somebody drive you home and assist you in the beginning of recovery.
You can expect some swelling and discomfort, especially in the first few days after the procedure. Dr Norris can provide you with a prescription for pain medication, which can help you through the initial discomfort. You should also attend your follow-up appointments to ensure that we can monitor your healing and address any issues. Although the duration of swelling can vary, typically, patients find most of the swelling has subsided after three weeks.
Along with taking pain medication, other instructions for aftercare might include:
- Eat soft foods during the initial recovery
- Rinse your mouth daily with salt water
- Avoid exercise and resume light activity after two weeks
- Avoid any strenuous activity for six weeks
- Take time off work – three days is often sufficient, but some may take longer
- Avoid smoking and alcoholic drinks
- Get lots of rest, be patient with your body as it recovers
- Drink water, and eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Let Dr Norris know about any issues or concerns
We will book a follow-up appointment for you a few days or a week after surgery.
Risks and complications
All surgical procedures, including buccal fat reduction, come with risks. In addition to swelling, pain, and bruising, there are also less common possible complications, such as infection, haematoma, and seroma. Other risks include slow healing, asymmetry, and other unwanted cosmetic effects.
- Haematoma – A collection of blood in the wound area, which is either naturally absorbed into the body or sometimes requires further surgical drainage. Symptoms include swelling, pain, bruising, hot to touch or itchy skin.
- Infection – Infections are unpredictable and normally occur in the first three weeks after surgery. They are treated immediately with antibiotics.
- Seroma – This is a build-up of fluid after your surgery that can sometimes require removal via a syringe in the clinic.
Buccal fat reduction costs
Since every patient needs to remove a very specific amount of buccal fat, there’s no way to provide an exact estimate that applies generally. In order to find out what the procedure costs in your case, you will need a private buccal fat pad reduction consultation with Dr Norris.
Certain factors play into the overall costs, such as your personalised surgical plan. We determine this plan by discussing your desired outcomes, facial shape, and what techniques will best suit your goals. Generally, the more extensive or complex the surgery, the more costly it is. In addition, if you decide to combine the procedure with another surgery, such as a browplasty or facelift (rhytidectomy), this will impact your costs.
You will also need to take hospital, anaesthetist and aftercare costs into account. Once we discuss all of these factors, Dr Norris can provide you with a more accurate cost estimate for your procedure. If you have further questions about the cost of buccal fat reduction, your consultation is the place to ask.
FAQs
When the procedure is performed alone (without additional procedures), Dr Norris typically places incisions on the inside of the mouth. He carefully removes the unwanted fat tissue, reducing the volume in the cheeks. The exact amount of fat removed depends on the patient’s facial shape and the outcomes they desire to achieve.
In general, it can take around three weeks for the surgical areas to heal. After this, patients may still notice subtle changes in their face shape. It is important to get lots of rest especially in the first few days of recovery, gradually resuming activity as the cheek area heals.
This may depend on the patient’s healing progress and type of work. Most patients can return to work after several days to a week after their buccal fat reduction surgery. However, they should continue to avoid strenuous tasks and any exertive activity.
Everyone has slightly different facial features, shapes, and volumes. Therefore, the results must be individually tailored, with consideration for the patient’s goals. If you want to know what kind of results are realistic and achievable in your case, speak to Dr Norris in a private consultation.
Buccal fat reduction is considered permanent. After Dr Norris removes fat tissue from the face, those cells will not return. However, if you gain weight, this can enlarge the remaining fat cells and might impact the results of your procedure.
If you wish to pursue buccal fat reduction, it is a good idea to ask yourself certain questions: What are my aesthetic concerns? What do I want to achieve? Am I prepared to undergo a surgical procedure? It may be beneficial to seek the advice of a qualified surgeon, such as Sydney Plastic Surgeon Dr Norris, to guide you and explain your options.
Here at Form & Face, we provide patients with a
Lifetime followup guarantee
This means that we will be there for you far beyond the recovery period.
You can rest assured knowing that you can come to us about any
post-surgical concerns for the rest of your life.