Are you a candidate?

Buccal fat removal is designed for patients who are unhappy with the fullness of their cheeks and would like to address the issue with surgery. You should be healthy and understand the risks related to your treatment so you can make an informed choice.

Risks

Risks include numbness in the cheeks and jawline, infection, fluid collection (hematoma or seroma) and lumps. Over-correction and asymmetry are also risks.

Consultation

It is absolutely necessary you consult with Dr. Fialkov to find out whether the procedure is suitable for you because buccal fat pads are not the only cause of chubby cheeks. Another treatment may be better for you, such as a facelift. You must be examined by Dr. Fialkov to determine the right course of treatment.

In your initial consultation, you will be able to determine the amount of fat you’d like to have removed to achieve your desired improvement, and to get a better idea of how you’ll look after surgery.

Preparing

Dr. Fialkov will provide you with guidelines on how to prepare for your surgery. These guidelines include instructions on what to avoid in the time before your surgery, such as smoking, certain medications and particular activities that could increase the chance of developing complications.

Your surgery

Anesthesia is administered.

To slim down your cheeks, the mid to lower part of the buccal fat pads must be reduced in size. This is done by creating an incision in the cheek on the inside of the mouth, then removing a portion of the buccal fat pad to achieve the desired improvement. The incision is then closed and dressed.