Wanting a contoured jawline is a popular aesthetic goal nowadays, and you might not be aware of all the procedures that can help you get there. To truly contour your jaw, reducing cheek fullness might be necessary, so buccal fat removal is a good procedure to consider. Haute Beauty spoke with renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Earl Stephenson about the process of buccal fat removal, the recovery and how to maintain results.
Haute Beauty: What is the process of Buccal fat removal?
Dr. Earl Stephenson: Buccal, pronounced “buck kul”, fat pad reduction is a form of cheek contouring. A slightly full or rounded face conveys a sign of youth. Some people find that cheek fullness is not endearing. Buccal fat removal involves the judicious removal of the naturally-occurring pad of fat in the cheek hollow area.
HB: Who is a good candidate for this procedure?
ES: In general, you may be a good buccal fat removal candidate if you:
- Are worried about full or chubby cheeks
- Are physically healthy and at a stable weight
- have realistic expectations
- Are a nonsmoker
- Are bothered by the appearance of your cheeks
HB: What does recovery look like?
ES: Recovery may include modest swelling that would require ice therapy. A liquid diet for several days or longer is important for comfort and allows the optimal conditions for healing of the incision. Additionally, special mouth rinses and antibiotics are used to reduce the risk of infection. It may take several months for you to see the final results.
HB: Do men also benefit from this procedure?
ES: This procedure is gender blind. Men can most definitely benefit from this procedure to give their face a more chiseled appearance.
HB: How are results best maintained?
ES: Regularly scheduled visits with your plastic surgeon are important to assure that results stay consistent. Additionally, avoiding significant fluctuations in weight will help in the maintenance in the new contour of your face. Finally, maintaining your normal skincare routine with sunscreen and moisturizer will help keep the overall appearance of your skin healthy continue to enhance your new results from your buccal fat removal.
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