A full, cherubic face can be charming, but it may cause self-consciousness, particularly if it’s due to excess facial fat. While there are non-surgical ways to address this concern, such as weight loss and lifestyle changes, buccal fat surgery has emerged as an effective solution for those seeking an immediate, targeted improvement.
Triple board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ali Sajjadian uses his vast expertise to perform this trendsetting slimming procedure.
What Causes a Full Face?
Some people inherit a naturally round face from their parents. Excess fat in the area between your cheekbones and jawline contributes to a baby-faced look. Combined with a lack of prominent facial angles and contours, this can give the lower half of your face a softer, less defined appearance. This fat tends to be particularly stubborn and resists diet and exercise, leaving you seeking alternative solutions.
While facial fullness can indicate youth and vitality, it may also be a source of dissatisfaction, inspiring you to seek more definition and contouring.
Additionally, age-related volume loss can exacerbate the appearance of a round face. As you lose collagen and elastin over time, your cheeks may become flatter and less full, while fat deposits in the lower face can remain or even increase, causing disharmony among your features.
Why Buccal Fat Surgery Is Gaining Popularity
This facial slimming surgery specifically targets and reduces the buccal fat pads, located in the lower cheeks. It has gained popularity due to its ability to create a more defined facial contour, providing an sophisticated solution for those seeking a refined look.
The rise of social media and the ever-present influence of selfies and video calls have made many of us acutely aware of how our faces look from multiple angles. As a result, more people seek treatments that can enhance their natural features, and buccal fat surgery offers a subtle way to achieve facial slimming and more defined cheekbones.
This straightforward procedure has a short recovery period, making it an appealing option for those who want an efficient solution without extensive downtime. Additionally, the growing emphasis on natural-looking results in plastic surgery has propelled buccal fat removal into the spotlight, as it provides a subtle refinement that enhances your appearance without dramatic alterations.
Am I a Good Candidate for Cheek Reduction?
The ideal candidate for buccal fat surgery is an adult who desires a more defined or slender lower face. You must have realistic expectations and understand that this procedure specifically addresses the buccal fat pads, not excess body weight or sagging skin.
During your consultation with Dr. Sajjadian, he will carefully review your medical history, examine your facial structure, and discuss your specific goals to determine your candidacy for buccal fat surgery. The best candidates are typically at a stable, healthy weight and primarily concerned with reducing fullness in their lower cheeks for a more contoured appearance.
While buccal fat surgery can create a dramatic improvement, you shouldn’t expect it to transform your entire face. The results specifically target the lower cheeks and emphasize your cheekbones. If you seek a more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation, Dr. Sajjadian may recommend combining buccal fat removal with other treatments, such as a neck lift.
How a Cheek Reduction Procedure Works
Dr. Sajjadian usually performs buccal fat surgery as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia with sedation, ensuring your comfort throughout the process. The surgery is relatively quick, typically taking around 30 to 45 minutes.
Dr. Sajjadian will make small incisions inside your mouth, between your cheeks and gums, allowing him to access your buccal fat pads. This placement leaves no visible scarring, making the procedure highly discreet. Through these incisions, Dr. Sajjadian will carefully remove a precise amount of buccal fat, tailored to your unique anatomy and desired outcome.
Dr. Sajjadian takes a conservative approach to avoid creating an overly hollow or gaunt appearance. Once he has removed the desired amount of fat, he will close the incisions with dissolvable sutures, leaving no visible scars.
Buccal Fat Removal vs. Liposuction
There are other facial slimming procedures to consider, each of which brings unique benefits and drawbacks. For example, liposuction is likely the best-known way to remove pockets of unwanted fat, such as a double chin. Liposuction offers rapid results, but typically requires a slightly longer recovery time than buccal fat removal.
Recovery and Results Timeline
Most of Dr. Sajjadian’s buccal fat removal patients experience minimal discomfort, which they manage with over-the-counter medication. You may also have some mild bruising and swelling, which usually resolves within a week or two.
During the first few days after surgery, rest, avoid strenuous activities, and maintain a soft food diet for a few days to avoid straining the incisions inside your mouth. Dr. Sajjadian will provide you with detailed postoperative instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
You’ll notice an initial improvement once the early swelling subsides, typically within a few weeks. However, the full results may take several months to emerge as residual swelling resolves. Fat removal is permanent, and with a healthy lifestyle, your upgraded facial contour will be long-lasting.
Can Diet and Lifestyle Help, Too?
While a cheek reduction is highly effective for reducing fullness in the lower cheeks, maintaining a healthy diet and active lifestyle can enhance and prolong your results.
Losing weight can reduce your body fat content, making your facial contours stand out more. Nutritional choices can promote skin elasticity and collagen production, improving your skin’s tone and texture. Staying hydrated, limiting sun exposure, and avoiding tobacco use are also beneficial for skin health and can positively impact your complexion.
Regular facial exercises target the underlying muscles to improve the underlying structure of your face. When combined with buccal fat removal, a healthy lifestyle, and a targeted skin care regimen, you can optimize your results and maintain an elegant, youthful look for years.
Why Partner With Dr. Sajjadian for Your Cheek Reduction?
When considering any facial cosmetic procedure, it is essential to choose a qualified, experienced surgeon like Dr. Sajjadian. Triple board-certified and renowned for his expertise in facial plastic surgery, Dr. Sajjadian uses his training to enhance your unique beauty.
With an extensive understanding of facial anatomy and aesthetics, Dr. Sajjadian takes a meticulous approach to buccal fat removal, ensuring your outcomes complement your natural features and highlight your best assets. His precise, conservative technique preserves a harmonious, balanced appearance.
Your safety and comfort are paramount to Dr. Sajjadian. He’ll take time to build a meaningful rapport with you, ensuring you feel informed, confident, and cared for. As a skilled surgeon with an artist’s eye, he strives to provide results that reveal your inner confidence and enhance your radiance.
If you’re considering buccal fat removal, schedule your private consultation with Dr. Sajjadian. During this meeting, he will listen to your concerns, discuss your goals, and provide honest, personalized recommendations for putting your best face forward.