Buccal Fat Removal

Buccal fat removal helps eliminate excess deposits of fat in the chin, neck, and cheeks can create a false impression of plumpness and being overweight, even for individuals who are otherwise fit and slender everywhere else. Chubby or “chipmunk” cheeks are often the result of heredity; these disproportionate lumps of fat will not simply go away with diet and exercise.

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For many, this poses a not only an aesthetic problem, but an emotional one as well. Consequently, they may fund a tremendous benefit in buccal fat removal procedure, also referred to as cheek reduction surgery, to give their faces a sleeker and more defined look.

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Full or puffy cheeks can hide the natural contour of the cheek bone and jaw line. Dr. Loeb, one of New York City’s finest plastic surgeons, offers buccal fat removal in his Upper East Side, Fifth Avenue office.  By removing the fad pads, he reduces cheek volume to better highlight the facial contour. There are no visible scars and the oral incisions heal quickly.

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Planning

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At your initial one-on-one consultation, Dr. Loeb will explain the procedure and hear from you about the appearance you hope to achieve. Common reasons for wanting buccal fat removal surgery include:

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• Puffy or distended cheeks
• “Moon” face lacking facial contour
• Hanging or drooping skin in the cheeks or neck

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The best candidates for the procedure are those patients who are in good health and who approach the surgery with realistic expectations.

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Procedure

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Dr. Loeb performs buccal fat removal under local anesthesia, usually with light sedation. He first makes incisions inside the mouth, about a half inch long opposite the upper molars. As much of the buccal fat pad as necessary is then gently extracted, or “teased out,” to achieve your desired cheek volume and contour. Dr. Loeb prefers to be as conservative as possible with this procedure, since removing too much, or all of, the buccal fat pad may lead to a hollow or gaunt look in older age. The procedure lasts for about one hour, and you may return home soon after.

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Recovery

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Patients  who elect to have buccal fat removed, generally experience only a small amount of swelling and little to no bruising after the procedure. The swelling will take up to one month to fully diminish, and the final results of the surgery, while permanent, will not be completely visible for approximately three months. Dr. Loeb will request that you avoid strenuous activity for 1-2 weeks after the surgery, though most patients are able to return to work within one week. During the time that it takes for the oral incisions to heal, Dr. Loeb advises that you stick to a diet of soft or liquid foods, and maintain excellent oral hygiene.

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Related Procedures

Depending on your desired outcome, Dr. Loeb may perform buccal fat pad removal alone, or in conjunction with chin augmentation, facial liposuction, neck liposuction, rhinoplasty, or some other such facial cosmetic surgical procedure.

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If you would like to learn more about buccal fat removal in New York, please contact the Fifth Avenue office of Dr. Loeb at 212-327-3700 to schedule a private consultation.