Buccal Fat Removal

BUCCAL FAT PAD REMOVAL IN SAN ANTONIO, TX

The buccal fat pad is a naturally occurring, walnut-sized mass located beneath the cheekbones in the cheek hollow area. Although soft, full cheeks are a youthful characteristic, some adults feel their cheeks look too prominent and give their face a chubby appearance. In those cases, the buccal fat pad can be partially or completely removed to achieve a leaner and narrower facial contour.

Individuals seeking buccal fat removal in San Antonio and the surrounding areas trust Dr. Jose Barrera, a respected facial plastic surgeon at Texas Center for Facial Plastic and Laser Surgery.

What Buccal Fat Removal Accomplishes

Buccal fat removal is designed to reduce fullness in the middle and lower areas of the face. Unfortunately, this type of fat may not respond to normal weight loss methods like diet and exercise. It is possible for someone with excess buccal fat to have a “baby face” or “chipmunk cheeks” despite having a slender body type. Removing this fat can create a slimmer and more chiseled facial shape.

Buccal Fat Removal and Facelift Surgery

Buccal fat removal can also be performed at the time of facelift surgery. Patients that are experiencing excessive jowling and facial fat fullness can also benefit from buccal fat removal to slim the face. The buccal fat is removed through the facelift incision. Careful exposure of the buccal fat is performed and a conservative amount is removed to slim the cheek. Facelift surgery is the best procedure to improve the jawline, elevate the cheeks, and improve jowls. Buccal fat removal is best performed to slim the cheek area and face. Dr. Barrera has extensive experience in buccal fat removal and best facelift surgery techniques to offer patients an improved jawline, tighter neck, and slimmer face.

Am I a Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?

You may be a suitable candidate for buccal fat removal if you are bothered by full or chubby cheeks and wish for a leaner facial profile. To qualify for surgery, you should be in good physical health and maintain a stable weight, not smoke, and have reasonable expectations of surgery. It’s important to understand that the goal of surgery is improvement, not perfection.

Buccal Fat removal procedure Details

Buccal fat removal is a relatively short procedure that can be performed by itself or in combination with another facial plastic surgery procedure. To begin, Dr. Barrera creates an incision on the inside of the cheek and locates the buccal fat. Once it is isolated, the fat pad is removed from the cheeks without disturbing the surrounding structures of the face. Dr. Barrera is very careful to remove a suitable amount of fat — removing too much can give the face a hollow look. Once he is finished, he closes the incisions with sutures. The recovery from buccal fat removal is normally short and complication free. Most patients resume their normal activities within a few days of the surgery.

Buccal Fat Removal FAQs

The best ways to prepare for buccal fat removal in Texas is to:

  • Not smoke for the month leading up to the procedure
  • Limit your alcohol intake for the month leading up to buccal fat removal
  • Avoid blood-thinning medication the week before your treatment

All these steps help prepare your body to heal and recover from buccal fat removal as fast as possible, making your experience as enjoyable and worthwhile as it can be.

The best way to find a nearby buccal fat removal surgeon is to contact surgeons in your area and ask them for a consultation. During your consultation, you need to ensure the surgeon is certified, affiliated, and highly experienced with the particular procedure you’re looking for. In this case, ask your surgeon to show you a portfolio of before and after photos of other patients who have undergone buccal fat removal near me, and you can decide whether the results are what you’re looking for.

Most certainly. In fact, many patients get the most satisfying results when buccal fat removal is done with dermal fillers or Botox and Dysport. The combination of toning the cheeks and smoothing out the skin creates an astonishing aesthetic that all of Dr. Barrera’s patients find highly satisfying. 

The procedure itself takes less than one hour, and patients can generally return to light daily activities the very next day.

Learn More about Buccal Fat Removal with Dr. Jose Barrera

For more information about buccal fat removal, Dr. Barrera invites you to schedule a consultation at our practice by calling (210) 468-5426.