What are the Benefits of Cheek Reduction Surgery?

While full cheeks can help you look more youthful and refreshed, excessively puffy cheeks can make you feel self-conscious. If you feel “chubby-cheeked”, it can impact your confidence and self-esteem. Cheek reduction surgery can help remove fat in the lower cheeks and create a slimmer, more defined facial contour. Read on to learn about the benefits of cheek reduction surgery and what to expect.

What is Buccal Fat Cheek Reduction Surgery?

Cheek reduction surgery, also known as buccal fat pad removal, is a simple procedure to reduce the fullness in the lower part of the cheeks. You can either remove or reduce the buccal fat pad. But either way, it can reduce excess fat in the cheeks. It’s a straightforward and relatively quick procedure. 

Your surgeon will use a small incision inside of the cheek to remove the buccal fat pad. The incision will be on the inner part of the cheek. When cheek reduction surgery is paired with a facelift, your surgeon may not need to make an incision inside the cheek. But, In most cases, the incision will be inside the mouth.  

After making the incision, the cheek fat pad will be removed before closing the incision. You will have sutures inside the mouth. Typically, these sutures are absorbable, but that may change depending on your case. Although it’s tempting, try to avoid playing with the sutures with your tongue as you don’t want to dislodge them. 

Buccal Fat Pad Removal Recovery Time 

Buccal fat pad removal recovery takes around 4-6 weeks. But it’s mainly the first couple of weeks where you are aware of your recovery. 

In general, sutures typically dissolve between 7-10 days after your procedure. The main thing to keep in mind with recovery is that you may need to eat soft foods for the first few days. Sometimes, patients may use a specific mouth rinse during the recovery period to help keep the area clean and free from infection. 

For the best results, follow your plastic surgeon’s postoperative infections. They will likely include things like: 

  • Avoid alcohol for 2 weeks 
  • No smoking for at least 6 weeks
  • No strenuous exercise for the first 2 weeks 
  • Get walking as soon as you can to avoid lying in bed for too long
  • Pain management guidance 

6 Benefits of Cheek Reduction Surgery 

If you have chubby or puffy cheeks, you may be a suitable candidate for cheek reduction surgery. Here are 6 benefits of cheek reduction surgery. 

1. Improve Cheek Contours

Naturally, a massive benefit of cheek reduction surgery is that it can improve cheek contours. Often, this part of the face is challenging to tackle through diet and exercise alone. If you find that your cheeks don’t respond to diet and exercise, the procedure can improve the contours of the cheeks and have a massive impact on the overall balance of the face. Removing the fat can increase the definition of your cheeks. 

2. Slimmer Face

With slimmer cheeks, it can make your face look slimmer too. By slimming the lower part of the face, it can create a more rejuvenated and refreshed appearance. The procedure delicately slims the lower part of the face while retaining a natural result. 

3. No Visible Scars 

Your surgeon uses a tiny incision inside the cheek to remove the buccal fat pad. This means that there are no visible scars, which is a big advantage of this procedure. With a small incision and short procedure time, recovery tends to be reasonably quick, with patients only needing a couple of days off work to rest. You continue to heal and recover over 4-6 weeks but only need a short amount of time off work.

4. Facial Rejuvenation 

The lower portion of your face can have a big difference in the overall shape and balance of the face. By creating a more balanced shape, it can help to rejuvenate the facial shape for a more sculpted appearance. 

Buccal fat removal and jawline/neck liposuction

5. May Boost Self-Confidence 

If you’re self-conscious about your cheeks, then removing cheek fat could help to boost self-confidence and self-esteem. By reducing the size of the cheeks and creating a more defined look, it can create more balance. If you don’t like your cheeks or they make you worry about your appearance, then the procedure could have a large effect. 

6. Simple Procedure 

One of the benefits of cheek reduction surgery is that it’s simple and straightforward. Because it’s not a major surgery, you only need a local anaesthetic. So, you avoid the potential complications that come from going under general anaesthesia. It’s considered a safe, effective, and well-tolerated procedure to specifically target cheek fat and create more balance in the face.  

Can You Combine Cheek Reduction Surgery with Other Procedures? 

Cheek reduction surgery is a hugely popular procedure. Typically, patients tend to be in their 20s to 40s and have overly chubby cheeks. Ideally, they should be a non-smoker and be at a healthy and stable weight. Smoking puts you at a higher risk of complications both during and after the procedure. 

It’s entirely normal to combine cheek reduction surgery with other cosmetic procedures. The benefit of this is that you have one surgery and one recovery window. You only have to take time off work for one surgery rather than having multiple surgeries. It’s helpful to combine procedures when you have various concerns you’re looking to tackle. Treatments you can combine with cheek reduction surgery include: 

Your plastic surgeon will guide you on the best procedures for your concern and determine if it’s safe to do so.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal Before and After 

Benefits of Cheek reduction surgery - The Harley Clinic

Cheek reduction surgery offers several benefits to patients, especially if you experience “chubby cheeks”. The goal of buccal fat removal isn’t to dramatically change your facial appearance. Instead, it aims to create balance so that a patient is satisfied with their facial balance and contours. 

To discuss cheek reduction surgery, book a consultation today at The Harley Clinic. 

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