What Are the Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal?

Hello.

This is Vibe Plastic Surgery.

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A small, slender, and well-proportioned face is

a condition for a youthful appearance.

However, even if the face shape is slender, having a lot of cheek fat or

double chin fat can make the face look large,

easily creating an image of a big face or looking older than your age.

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At this time, to create a V-line, many people

think about shaving their facial bones first.

But if the face appears large, it is often not just the bone,

but the flesh & fat that are the problem.

Because of this, buccal fat removal or

facial liposuction can be more effective.

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Are you unfamiliar with buccal fat removal?

Buccal fat is more accurately

called the “buccal fat pad,”

which literally means “fat located deep within the cheeks.”

That is what it means.

Also, regardless of changes in body weight,

the fat that bulges out when you smile

is sometimes referred to as buccal fat.

The surgery that removes this fat

is exactly what buccal fat removal surgery is.

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Buccal fat removal

might seem simple if you only look at

the surgery time or the incision size,

but because the surrounding area is enveloped by salivary ducts, blood vessels, and nerves,

it requires highly skilled and advanced surgical techniques.

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And there is a saying that if you get buccal fat removal,

your cheeks will look hollowed out.

This is a misconception.

Of course, there are cases where this happens after surgery.

If you have buccal fat,

but thick jaw muscles are present

behind it rather than just the buccal fat itself,

removing the buccal fat can make the cheeks appear hollow.

Therefore, when undergoing buccal fat removal,

we recommend getting it done by a board-certified plastic surgeon

with abundant clinical experience.

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“What about scars from buccal fat removal?”

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Because buccal fat surgery is performed through an incision inside the mouth,

there are no visible scars to the naked eye.

Also, after the intraoral incision, it is meticulously sutured

using dissolvable stitches, so it is not significantly uncomfortable.

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While there may be individual differences during buccal fat removal,

Vibe Plastic Surgery reduces nerve damage

to minimize pain and bruising,

and since there is no major hindrance

to returning to daily life immediately after surgery,

you do not need to feel burdened about taking time off.

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“Buccal fat removal is recommended for these people!”

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- Cheek fat that doesn't go away even with dieting

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- When the side cheeks bulge out a lot,

as if holding candies in both cheeks

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- When eating or chewing something,

you accidentally bite the inside of your cheeks

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- When looking from the front or side, the cheek fat sags

and protrudes, giving a grumpy appearance

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Even if you don't have the above symptoms,

if you have had facial contouring surgery to reduce the cheekbones or jaw,

but the line is not smooth and looks bumpy,

the fat in the buccal area could be the cause.

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Because the cases are so diverse like this,

knowing the exact location of the buccal fat is necessary

to perform the surgery safely.

That is why at Vibe Plastic Surgery,

the chief board-certified plastic surgeon

conducts pre-operative consultations using a guide

created through direct anatomical research.

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And a point to note during buccal fat removal is that

even if the same amount of buccal fat is removed,

the results can vary depending on each person's face shape and skin thickness,

so rather than blindly removing a lot,

it is better to remove it in harmony with your own facial line.

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Also, just removing the buccal fat

does not guarantee a slender face.

If you want a small and slender facial line,

it can be more effective to combine buccal fat removal

with facial liposuction on other areas like the double chin and cheekbones.

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To minimize cheek hollowing,

we establish an accurate surgical plan

and proceed with the surgery considering the anatomical location and structure of the buccal fat.

At Vibe Plastic Surgery, where this is possible,

we encourage you to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon

to determine how much fat should be removed

through a 1:1 customized individual consultation

and receive a proper diagnosis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be scars after buccal fat removal surgery?

No, there will be no visible scars. Since the surgery is performed through an incision inside the mouth, there are no external scars, and meticulous suturing with dissolvable threads ensures minimal discomfort after the surgery.

How long is the recovery period after surgery?

Recovery is fast enough to allow immediate return to daily life right after the surgery. Although there are individual differences, delicate surgery that minimizes nerve damage reduces pain and bruising, so you don't have to worry about taking a long time off for recovery.

Will removing buccal fat always make my cheeks look hollow?

No, it is a misconception that removing buccal fat will always make your cheeks look hollow. However, depending on individual characteristics, such as the presence of thick jaw muscles behind the buccal fat, it may appear hollow, so it is important to consult with a specialist with extensive clinical experience to remove only the appropriate amount.

Who is buccal fat removal surgery recommended for?

It is recommended for those whose cheek fat does not decrease even with dieting, or whose side cheeks protrude as if they are holding candy. It is also effective for those who frequently bite their cheek fat when chewing food, those whose sagging cheek fat makes them look grumpy, and those with an uneven facial contour after facial bone contouring surgery.

Will removing only buccal fat result in a perfect V-line face?

Removing only buccal fat does not necessarily make your face perfectly slim. If you desire a smaller and more slender V-line face, it may be much more effective to combine it with facial liposuction on other areas such as a double chin or cheekbones, tailored to your face shape.