Buccal Fat Removal
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED TO SERVE TROY,
BLOOMFIELD AND DETROIT
What is a buccal fat removal?
Buccal fat reduction is a small in office procedure, to permanently decrease the fullness of the cheeks and slim the lower face.
Who is a candidate for buccal fat removal?
Patients of any age may benefit from a buccal fat reduction and is based on anatomy rather than age. Patients who notice the fullness in the cheeks under the cheekbones which most people see as having a round, full face or chubby cheeks. This can be done as a stand-alone procedure or as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
What is the buccal fat procedure like?
It is performed by Dr Compton, in the office, with local anesthesia and oral sedation medications. A small incision is made in the back part of the cheek lining and the buccal fat is identified and teased out of the incision. This is closed with 1-2 dissolving sutures.
What will the recovery be like after surgery?
There will be swelling of the cheeks and face for a few days after the procedure and there may be bruising. We recommend ice, head elevation and will give steroids as well. The sutures will dissolve and come out on their own.
How much does a buccal fat removal cost?
Buccal fat reduction is an in-office procedure done without a general anesthetic, so the cost is lower than many other procedures. Dr Compton’s current cost is $3,500 for it by itself, which will be reduced if done at the same time with other procedures.
Can you tell me more about the buccal fat removal that Dr Compton performs?
Buccal fat removal has become very popular in recent years for its safe and simple surgery to permanently slim the face and create more defined cheek and facial contours. It is an excellent option for patients who have a round, full face with excess fat. It is most commonly combined with a chin/ neck liposuction, rhinoplasty or a neck and face lift.
Dr. Compton has safely performed many of these in office surgeries and is getting great results. Once the patient has taken the sedative mediations, Nitrous oxide is administered while the face is injected with local anesthetic. The salivary duct is verified and marked to be avoided. The incision is made below and behind this duct to access the buccal fat. Once identified by its different color from the surrounding fat, the buccal fat is teased out. It is only loosely held in place in the buccal space, so it comes out relatively easily from the cheek to be removed. Dr. Compton will compare the amounts removed from either side to ensure a symmetric reduction. Infrequently, Dr. Compton will replace a small amount to create symmetry. A suture using dissolving suture material is place to lightly close the incision.
What are the possible complications of buccal fat removal?
The most common issue is soreness during and after the procedure, though this should be improved with medications. There will be swelling and often times bruising after surgery. The most common serious complication is a hematoma, which is a blood collection in the cheek which would require drainage. The most serious complication, but thankfully extremely rare would be temporary or permanent injury to the facial nerve. This nerve is in the area of the deepest part of the buccal fat, so it is possibly injured if the fat is fibrotic (scarred in) and doesn’t tease out like normal. Dr Compton has successfully completed these tough cases without facial nerve injury and still provided an excellent result.
Call today for your consultation to discuss this transformative in office procedure.
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