$5995
BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL
Chubby cheeks are a hallmark of childhood. One of the first signs of maturation and puberty is a thinning of facial and cheek contours. This causes a more defined and adult look. Your face will continue to thin with age, which often leads to cheek hollows and lack of skin laxity in the future. For some, however, their cheeks remain full after puberty which can lead to a childish appearance or can be unsatisfactory to those who prefer a more defined structure. People can also be left with unwanted fat in the cheeks after weight loss. Dr. Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgical offers buccal fat removal to patients in the Seattle, Bellevue, and Kirkland areas to help remove the appearance of full cheeks.
WHAT IS BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL?
Buccal fat removal, also called cheek reduction, is a cosmetic surgery that removes all or part of the buccal fat pad in the cheeks. This reduces the size and projection of your cheeks, often leading to a more contoured and defined facial appearance.
It is important to seek a board-certified and experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Jonov because removing too much buccal fat can lead to future issues with cheek hollowing. This is because your face will continue thinning as you age which can leave you left with an overly thinned and hollow face in the future.
BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL: BEFORE AND AFTER
To begin the day of your buccal fat removal surgery, you will check in at our certified surgical center. You will most likely be asked not to eat or consume anything but water the day of and possibly the night before your surgery. Depending upon you and your specific case, Dr. Jonov may prescribe medications to take in advance of surgery. While your cheek reduction in Kirkland is a facial surgery, we recommend wearing comfortable, loose clothing the day of your surgery to keep you comfortable afterward.
Dr. Jonov will review the surgical plan with you and his team before you are placed under general anesthesia. When performing the surgery, Dr. Jonov will typically make small incisions inside the mouth on the underside of the cheek. Through these, he will remove some or all of the buccal fat. Normally, there will be more than one incision–one on the buccal cavity and one through the buccinator muscle–this allows Dr. Jonov better access to the fat to be removed. The entire procedure will usually take no more than an hour to complete.
Immediately after your cheek reduction surgery, you will need someone to drive you home and care for you the day of and after surgery. Before you leave our office, we will examine you ensure a safe and successful recovery. Dr. Jonov will provide an individualized recovery plan that will help you see the best buccal fat removal results.
Since buccal fat removal is a quick and simple procedure, many patients choose to combine other procedures with their surgery. Facial surgeries are often the easiest to perform concurrently with your Kirkland buccal fat removal, such as facelift, brow lift, mini facelift, and blepharoplasty. Choosing to undergo these surgeries concurrently does not increase your recovery time (as you recover from both procedures at the same time) and can reduce your cost because you are only going under anesthesia once.
Benefits of Bellevue Cheek Reduction:
There are many benefits to a cheek reduction in Bellevue. Beyond reducing the size of your cheeks, you can expect to see your overall facial appearance change as your results settle. Among just a few benefits of buccal fat removal include:
- Slimmer, more defined cheeks/ cheekbones
- No visible scarring on the face
- More mature appearance
- Quick procedure
- Removal of excess fat after weight loss
- Boost in confidence and self esteem
WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL?
Because facial fat reduces significantly during puberty and our early adulthood, the best buccal fat removal candidates are at least well into their twenties and still possess excessive cheek fat. Like with any cosmetic surgery, candidates must be in good health and preferably not smoke, or be willing to quit well in advance of the procedure. This is because smoking can hinder the healing process and increase the risk of side effects or complications.
Medical conditions such as blood or bleeding disorders, major mouth diseases or injuries, or other major medical illnesses may make you unfit for Kirkland buccal fat removal. It is important to discuss your full medical history with Dr. Jonov so that he can determine if you are a candidate for buccal fat removal surgery. He can also judge how to make the surgery the safest and most comfortable procedure for you based upon your specific needs.
Buccal fat removal is sometimes one step in a weight loss journey, it is important to consider your future weight loss goals and plans. If you are not yet at your ideal weight, you should wait to undergo your surgery until you reach your goal or ideal weight. This is simply to ensure that you do not lose more weight after your procedure and compromise your results.
Finally, you must have realistic expectations for the procedure. The procedure should not completely hollow your cheeks and in some cases, will only provide subtle definition of the cheek bones. This is because removing too much fat can lead to unflattering hollowing as the aging process continues. While these results may not appear for over two decades, considering the long term results of your buccal fat removal will help you manage your expectations.
Interested In Buccal (Cheek) Fat Reduction?
Fill out the form below to schedule an appointment or ask any questions you may have.
You May Not Be A Candidate For Cheek Reduction In Kirkland If You:
- Do not have excess fat in the cheeks
- Have any major medical illness
- Plan to significantly gain or lose weight (including pregnancy)
- Smoke (and are unwilling to quit before the surgery)
- Have mouth cancer or other disease of the mouth
- The fullness of your cheeks is due to muscle and not fat
- Have unrealistic expectations or goals for the procedure
When Will I See My Results?
The swelling in your cheeks will make seeing your results immediately after surgery difficult. Over the coming weeks, as your swelling subsides and your skin shifts into the space where the fat was removed. You should see your first results once the swelling goes down, but the final results from your buccal fat removal will become visible two to three months after surgery.
RECOVERY AFTER CHEEK REDUCTION:
Like any major cosmetic surgery, buccal fat removal requires some downtime and recovery. The incisions are on the inside of your cheeks which mean that you should avoid the area and eat only a soft and liquid diet for a limited time after surgery. Dr. Jonov may also prescribe antibiotics and painkillers to prevent infection and ensure your comfort during your buccal fat removal recovery.
After your Bellevue cheek reduction, swelling is perfectly normal and it should subside within a week or so. Usually, patients return to work and daily activities between a few days and a week post-operatively. Dr. Jonov will permit returning to work on a case-by-case basis. Exercise and strenuous activities will be limited for at least two weeks to prevent any complications and make sure that you heal well.
Following Dr. Jonov’s instructions and keeping in contact with him during your recovery, is important to ensuring a safe and successful recovery. Dr. Jonov has developed a recovery protocol that helps patients see optimal results, reduces the chances of complications, and leads to a more comfortable recovery.
BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL SPECIALIST IN SEATTLE, BELLEVUE, AND KIRKLAND
Buccal fat removal surgery requires a plastic surgeon with precision and a trained eye. Dr. Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery has performed hundreds of facial plastic surgeries and knows how to create the best symmetry for your face. He will determine how much fat to removal that will leave you looking leaner and more mature, without making you appear gaunt. Dr. Jonov has over a decade of experience in the cosmetic and plastic surgery fields and is a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. When choosing your cosmetic surgeon, it is important to ensure they are experienced and board-certified.
At The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, our surgeons keep up with the latest surgical techniques to ensure you the safest cheek reduction surgery possible. Our facility is held to the highest surgical center standards set by Washington State. While we are not required to meet these standards, your safety and comfort during surgery are our biggest priorities.
Your Consultation:
During your consultation with Dr. Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, he will inquire about your reasons for seeking a Seattle cheek reduction, your goals for the procedure, your medical history, and other relevant information. Dr. Jonov will also conduct a physical examination of your cheeks to ensure that you have enough facial fat to remove. If he determines you are a suitable candidate, he will then completely describe the procedure and explain any modifications to account for you, your cheeks, or goals.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Jonov at The Gallery of Cosmetic Surgery, call us at 425-775-3561. Chat using the icon on the lower left of your screen, or fill out the contact form on this page.
