BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL

Overview

A round and puffy cheek gives an impression of baby face or even a ‘chipmunk face’. This is due to the presence of excessive buccal fat located in deeper part of the cheek. Removal of buccal fat will result in thinner cheeks and a better facial definition. Sometimes it can be combined with botulinum toxin A injection for masseter hypertrophy to make the face contour even slimmer.

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Objectives

To create a slim and sculptured cheek by removing excessive fat in the cheek

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Preoperative Preparation

• Treat and stabilize all existing medical conditions, if any
• Stop smoking at least one week before surgery
• Stop one week before surgery the following:

All supplements that contain vitamin E, ginseng, ginko, garlic, fish oil and other ingredients that encourage bleeding during surgery
Medicine that exacerbate bleeding during operation such as aspirin, NSAIDs and warfarin. Consult the physician who prescribed the medicine.

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Surgery

Duration: 0.5-1.0 hour
Anaesthesia: Local anaesthsia
When to Go Home after Surgery: On the same day
Recovery Time: 5-7 days
Technique:
Small incisions are made inside the mouth. The buccal fat compartment in the cheek is opened and the buccal fat is removed. The wound is closed with absorbable sutures that do not need to be removed

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Recovery

Swelling may occur for the 5-7 days
Patient is given analgesic, antibiotics and mouth wash
Soft diet for one week