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Buccal Fat Reduction
in Houston, TX
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought that your mid to lower cheek area appeared too full and made your face appear fat or too round? Buccal fat removal decreases fullness in the lower cheek by reducing this fat pad, which can be congenitally bigger in certain individuals. As a result, this highlights the upper cheek for a more sculpted appearance.
Buccal Fat Reduction surgery is a relatively small operation that can make a big impact with little downtime. At Facial Plastic Surgery Associates, patients of Dr. Sean Delaney often comment on the fact that friends tell them that their face looks thinner or more refreshed but can’t put a finger on what is different. These subtle, yet dramatic results can give you a more sculpted, yet natural look.
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What Is Buccal Fat Reduction?
Buccal Fat Reduction, also known as Buccal Lipectomy or Cheek Fat Reduction, is a facial plastic surgical procedure to reduce the fat between your cheekbones and jaw bones in this area of your face. This can highlight the bone structure in your face for a more sculpted appearance.
Buccal fat are pads of fat located in the lower portion of the cheeks. The amount of buccal fat varies from person to person. This fat rarely is reduced with weight loss or exercise. For some, enlarged buccal fat can create the look of chubby cheeks that may be out of place with the rest of your facial features. Reducing buccal fat can make the cheekbones more defined and by creating a shadow contrast between the cheekbones and the lower jaw while making the face look less round and more V-shaped. Some or all buccal fat may be reduced during the procedure, depending on the desired facial shape. Buccal fat pads do not grow back, so the results are long-lasting. Because the incisions are made inside the mouth, there are no visible scars on the face.
Buccal Fat Reduction can be performed under Local Anesthesia or IV sedation in our AAAHC accredited in-office surgical suite. There are no external scars, as Dr. Sean Delaney uses an incision on the inside of each cheek to tease out and remove the buccal fat. Care is taken to remove enough fat to see an improvement, but not too much to make the cheeks too hollow. The surgery takes approximately 1.5 hours and there is very little downtime other than some swelling in the face. Most patients can return to work within the next few days.
Am I a good candidate for Buccal Fat Reduction Surgery?
Some patients believe their cheeks are too round or full and may feel self-conscious about their “Chubby cheeks.” The best candidates note that the fullness of their cheeks doesn’t change with weight loss or weight gain. Patients for this procedure should also be healthy, positive thinking patients of every ethnicity without medical conditions that might be affected by Buccal Fat Removal. Dr. Delaney does not operate on patients who smoke, chew tobacco, vape or take illicit drugs prior to or at the time of surgery, as these activities have a detrimental effect to the healing process.
Why should I select Dr. Delaney for my Buccal Fat Reduction surgery?
What sets apart double-board certified, facial plastic surgeon Dr. Sean Delaney apart from other Houston plastic surgeons can be described in the superior combination of his unparalleled training, advanced surgical techniques, artistic perspective, and devotion to the highest level of patient care throughout your aesthetic journey. He has also published extensively on advanced facial plastic surgery techniques, including numerous scientific journal articles and textbook chapters with Dr. Russell Kridel. Dr. Delaney has been named a Texas Rising Star in plastic surgery.
What can I expect from
a Buccal Fat Reduction Consultation at FPSA?
Our Buccal Fat Reduction consultations are quite comprehensive, you can expect to be with us for an hour or so. When you first arrive, a Team FPSA member will take your photograph at multiple angles and will also review your medical history and patient information forms with you.
During your Buccal Fat Reduction consultation, Dr. Delaney will ask you what bothers you about your cheeks and any other facial features and what you would like to see changed. You will have the opportunity to share all your questions and concerns with Dr. Delaney during your consultation. In addition, one of our patient concierges will accompany you every step of the way as your guide throughout your consultation. Your concierge will review before and after photos, educational materials, and provide you with an estimate for your individualized treatment plan, and also answer questions you may have prior to booking your surgery.
Buccal Fat Reduction Explained
Facial sculpting with Buccal Fat Removal and Chin Liposuction
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What can I expect right after Buccal Fat Reduction Surgery?
Our patients often comment that the discomfort is far less than they expected. Most patients feel very little pain immediately after surgery but may experience some discomfort later in the evening or the next day or so. We have found that most patients can manage discomfort levels with Tylenol.
You will be seen the very next day in our office for your first post-operative visit. You will need to sleep on your back with your head slightly elevated for the first several days to a week after surgery. We will also have you use a special mouth rinse to help with healing and prevent infection. And for the first few days you will want to be on a liquid or very soft diet.
The sutures used during surgery will dissolve in about 10-14 days. Dr. Delaney will monitor the healing during your post-operative visits.
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How long is the recovery time for Buccal Fat Reduction Surgery?
Our surgical techniques and pre-operative and post-operative care are designed to optimize the healing process.
There is relatively little downtime for Buccal Fat Reduction surgery, with most patients returning to normal activities after a few days. Swelling occurs after surgery, but reduces over the course of about three months with final results after several months as your face shape adjusts around the newly sculpted buccal space.
Dr. Delaney and the FPSA Team will be with you every step of the way during your journey. We will see you multiple times over the first two weeks, and also at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year. Our high standard of patient care, including follow-up care, is unparalleled in Houston.
Can I combine Buccal Fat Reduction with other procedures?
Many patients like to take advantage of the opportunity to have just one recovery period. It is common to combine Buccal Fat Reductionl with Submental Liposuction to remove fat under the chin area or other face sculpting procedures such as, chin implant augmentation or neck lift. All these procedures can be performed at the same time as the Buccal Fat Reductionl and performed under IV Sedation at our AAAHC Accredited in-office operating facility.
What do I need to do before surgery?
With any surgical procedure, it is necessary to avoid any medications or supplements that may thin the blood two weeks before and two weeks after your Buccal Fat Removal surgery. Our clinical staff will review instructions relating to medications and supplements at your pre-operative appointment.
We recommend that patients avoid alcohol for two weeks prior to and after your surgery. You should maintain a healthy diet and avoid salt, fatty foods and processed sugar. Some patients eat pineapple for the anti-inflammatory effect of its naturally occurring Bromelain. We recommend taking Arnica, Bromelain, and Vitamin C supplements 5 days before the surgery and 1 week following surgery. It is also very important to avoid significant sun exposure. Dr. Delaney does not operate on patients who smoke, chew tobacco, vape or take illicit drugs prior to or at the time of surgery, as these activities have a detrimental effect to the healing process.
Day Of Surgery
What happens on the day of surgery?
Buccal Fat Reduction is an out-patient procedure performed under Local Anesthesia or IV Sedation in our AAAHC accredited operating room and takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete depending on whether you have any other procedures, such as submental liposuction or chin implant, at the same time. You should have nothing to eat or drink (not even water, candy, or gum) after midnight the night before your procedure if undergoing IV Sedation or have a light breakfast if undergoing local anesthesia. Patients should arrive approximately 1.5 hours prior to the start time on the day of surgery. You should wear a button-up top or loose-fitting clothing to allow you to change easily without placing unnecessary pressure or stress on the nasal area. You will need an adult driver on the day of your surgery to bring you to our office and to pick you up following surgery.
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Pre-Operative
When is my pre-operative appointment?
Your pre-op appointment will take place two to three weeks before your surgery. We strive to make this appointment as stress free as possible. At this appointment, you will receive pre-operative and post-operative instructions, review and sign consents, take pre-operative photos, and make final payment. You will also receive the list of your prescriptions. Most of our patients find that using our Capsule Pharmacy service in advance of the pre-op is quite convenient because all prescriptions will be delivered to our office and ready for you at the pre-op appointment.
At this appointment, patients also like to select skincare products appropriate for pre-operative and post-operative skin health and optimal healing.
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Does insurance cover surgery?
Insurance does not cover cosmetic Buccal Fat Reduction surgery because it is an elective, cosmetic procedure.
How is Buccal Fat Removal different from Cheek Liposuction?
In cheek liposuction, fat is vacuumed out of the face closer to the surface using a narrow tube and a suction device. Buccal fat resides in a deep fat pocket that cannot be reached with a liposuction canula. To address buccal fat concerns, Dr. Delaney performs Buccal Fat Reduction surgery.
Fully Accredited
On-Site Surgical Facility
Dr, Sean Delaney, Dr. Russell Kridel and Team FPSA provide patients with an exceptional surgical experience at our AAAHC accredited on-site operating facility. Our patients enjoy the comfort, ease and convenience of having surgical and medical aesthetic procedures in our beautiful practice environment. Facial Plastic Surgery Associates’ operating room has been certified by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). Accreditation by this highly regarded, independent organization ensures that our in-office operating room meets the highest quality of standards and safety. This accreditation is similar to the process completed for out-patient surgical facilities associated with hospital systems.
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