Buccal Fat Removal

WHAT IS BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL?
Buccal fat removal, or bichectomy is the medical procedure that aims to enhance facial contour by removing the fat tissue right below both cheekbones (bichat bags). As a result of this fat removal, patient's face looks more slender and elongated, and their cheekbones and jawline becomes more visible. 

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE?
All healthy patients, with a round face and normal weight, between 18-45 years of age can be good candidates for this procedure.  Patients who are overweight or suffering from obesity wouldn't be good candidates as the fullness of their cheeks can be a result of their high body fat ratio. Furthermore, this procedure might not be suitable for patients above 45 years of age, as patients around this age is expected to start experiencing a reduction in ther bichat bags and having a bichectomy can cause a premature aging of their faces. 

HOW IS IT PERFORMED?
Buccal fat removal is an out patient procedure that is performed under local anesthesia, and takes around 30-60 minutes to be completed. As the operation is performed through orally, it is very important for patients to have a thorough oral cleaning before the surgery to minimize risk of infection. Once the anesthesia takes effect, surgeon will make an incision inside the cheek and remove the required amount of bitchat bag through this incision. Once the removal precedure is complete, surgeon will put a compressive bandage on the area.

The aim of this article is to give you a general information about the surgical intervention in question. You need to make more research about possible complications and risks of this selected procedure in order to make an informed decision. Please note that complications occur more frequently with patients who are obese, smoke, and have a history or lung or other chronic underlying medical conditions.

Smokers are recognized to have a significantly higher risk of post operative wound healing problems with a subsequently higher potential of infection as well as operative and post operative bleeding. Patients should discontinue smoking for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery. Although it helps to stop smoking before and after surgery, this does not completely eliminate the increased risks resulting from long­ term smoking. Smoking also has a long term adverse effect on the skin and ageing process.