Buccal Fat Removal
What is the goal?:
The goal of buccal fat reduction is to give the face a slimming, more sharp, and contoured appearance with the simple act of removing the fat pads that are located inside our mouth. Oftentimes patients get insecure about having a round shaped face and Buccal fat removal is the perfect procedure for patients with this problem.
Who is a good candidate?:
You may be a candidate for this procedure if you have "chipmunk cheeks" or "chubby cheeks," even if you are not overweight.
How is the procedure performed?:
This procedure can be done in 15-30 minutes in the office under local anesthesia or under general anesthesia and can be combined with neck liposuction or other procedures. Dr. Kalaria injects local anesthesia (the same medication that dentists use to numb your mouth) through the inside of the cheeks. She makes 2 small incisions on the inside of your mouth and teases out the fat from the deep buccal fat pad. She closes the incisions using absorbable sutures.
What is the recovery time?:
You can expect 1-2 weeks of bruising and swelling of the cheeks and lower face. You can use arnica and ice and your compression garment to maximize results.
