248-289-7300 Troy, MI

Buccal Fat Removal

Buccal Fat Removal In Detroit Metro

Introduction

Introduction to Buccal Fat Removal

Buccal fat removal is a popular, safe, and straightforward surgery that permanently slims the face and creates more defined cheek and facial contours. It is an excellent option for patients who have a round, full face with excess fat and desire a narrower, less cherubic face for personal or professional reasons. Andrew Compton, MD, offers buccal fat removal to patients in the Detroit, MI, area who are seeking a more defined facial appearance. Read on to learn more about buccal fat removal and schedule a consultation today at his Troy office!

A woman wearing a light beige robe looks at her reflection in a mirror, gently touching her face and neck with a pleasant, focused expression. Her skin appears smooth, and a thin red bracelet is visible on her wrist. A blurred figure, likely her own, is seen in the reflection against a muted gray background. - Buccal Fat Removal in Troy, MI
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Logo

What is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is a minimally invasive in-office procedure that permanently decreases the fullness of the cheeks, allowing the cheekbones to appear more prominent in the facial contours. Using a local anesthetic, excess cheek fat is gently removed through a small incision in the mouth, resulting in a permanently slimmed face and improved cheek contour. The procedure results in thinning of the area just under the cheekbone and above the jawbone. Part of this soft tissue is the buccal fat, which can be reduced in size to create a more contoured, thinner facial appearance with enhanced definition in the jawline and cheekbones.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Buccal Fat Removal?

Patients of any age in Detroit, MI, may benefit from a buccal fat reduction. Their suitability for the procedure is based on anatomy rather than age. Buccal fat does not typically respond to weight loss and remains relatively stable in size throughout life. Dr. Compton recommends removing buccal fat, particularly for patients whose full face causes discomfort or disadvantage in their quality of life, or who retain a round face despite significant and stabilized weight loss. This surgery is not recommended for patients with a thin face who primarily seek more pronounced cheekbone definition.

Buccal fat removal can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

What Are the Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal?

Many of Dr. Compton’s patients in the Detroit area request buccal fat removal for the following key advantages:

  • Defined cheekbones and a thinner facial appearance
  • Creating a more “adult” appearance or less of a baby face
  • Appearance of natural weight loss
  • Reducing the roundness of the face
  • Even facial symmetry
  • Sculpted facial features
  • Very heavy jowls

What’s the First Step?

A buccal fat removal procedure could help create your desired face shape. To learn more, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Compton at his practice in Troy, MI, for buccal fat removal. Dr. Compton will review your medical history, evaluate your face and buccal fat fullness, and recommend whether a buccal fat removal surgery could benefit you and help you reach your aesthetic goals.

Dr. Compton will review “before and after” pictures of previous buccal fat removal patients with you to help you understand the range of possibilities for your buccal fat removal procedure. He will then design a personalized surgical plan to address your areas of concern.

procedure-first-step

What to Expect on the Day of Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

The buccal fat removal surgery is an in-office procedure performed with local anesthesia and oral sedation medication to reduce any anxiety and minor discomfort patients may experience. You will ingest an oral pain medication and sedative, and allow those to take effect. The needle is inserted before the local area is injected with local anesthetic. Nitrous Oxide will be administered for maximal comfort. Dr. Compton will then proceed to identify the salivary duct and mark it so that it will be avoided during the course of your procedure. Once you are comfortably numb, Dr. Compton will create a small incision inside the mouth in the back part of the cheek lining to identify and access the buccal fat. This buccal fat will then be slowly teased out of the incision, and part of it will be removed. This process will be gradual, so Dr. Compton can compare the amounts removed from each cheek to ensure a symmetrical reduction. The incision will be closed with dissolvable sutures when the procedure is complete. Any scarring will occur on the inside of the cheek, meaning your results will appear natural and scarless!

Buccal Fat Removal Recovery

Following your buccal fat removal procedure, you may experience several days of swelling in your cheeks and lower face. Some patients also experience bruising and mild discomfort. These side effects are normal, and Dr. Compton recommends applying ice and elevating the head to reduce discomfort. You will be taking antibiotics, steroids, and using an antiseptic mouthwash. Pain medication can be provided for the mild postoperative discomfort. Eventually, the sutures will dissolve and fall out on their own, leaving behind a narrower, more contoured face. The final result typically takes 3-6 months to materialize fully.

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost in Detroit, MI?

The price for Buccal Fat Removal with Dr. Compton in Detroit will vary based on the
location of the surgery, the desired level of sedation, and the type of any simultaneous
surgical procedures. The total cost ranges from $3,000 – $5,000. Patients will receive an
estimate of their expected costs at the time of their consultation.

Why Choose Dr. Compton?

Dr. Andrew Compton is a double-board-certified, fellowship-trained, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon (ABFPRS) in the Detroit area. His extensive training in ENT and head and neck surgery has given him a wealth of experience operating on all parts of the face and neck. His years of experience span thousands of both cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries on the nose, face, and neck.

Dr. Compton completed his residency training in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at Louisiana State University in 2012. He chose to travel south to be trained there under one of the most experienced rhinoplasty surgeons in the world. He followed this training with a fellowship at the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) and Washington University School of Medicine, at the prestigious Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. One of the top programs in the nation, this advanced fellowship training focused on both cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, including facelift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), and rhinoplasty (nasal surgery).

Dr. Compton is a naturally talented artist who enjoys working in various styles and mediums, focusing primarily on acrylic, oil, and watercolor paints, as well as pointillism using pen and ink. You can see his many different artistic styles proudly displayed on the walls of his office in Troy, MI. This artistic passion, developed since childhood, made rhinoplasty and facial surgery a natural fit. His artistic eye and meticulous attention to detail allow him to excel in facial aesthetics and reconstructive surgery.

Buccal Fat Removal FAQ’S

Take the first step towards your transformation

Schedule Your Consultation

Buccal fat removal is a relatively minor surgical procedure with significant results. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Compton at his office in Troy, MI, please call 248.289.7300 or complete our online booking form. A member of our patient care team will contact you shortly to schedule an appointment.

Contact Us