Buccal Fat Removal: Sculpting a Slimmer Face

Disclaimer: At Artiste Plastic Surgery, our Plastic Surgeons led by Dr Jack Zoumaras have been trained to the highest possible degree. All surgery has risks and it is always advised to get a second opinion. Risks are very real and we cannot guarantee any result. Results are illustrated as a guide only. All risks are managed and any need for revision surgery or complications (1-5%) can be managed by our specialist plastic surgeons. Any statements on how you will feel is based on Level V Evidence: Level V: How you will feel after plastic surgery varies between individuals, depending on psychological and physical factors. Our internal research is based on how patients in our practice feel after surgery. The blogs/posts are not a substitute for a medical consultation and do not form as part of the doctor to patient relationship.

Facial plastic surgery is an extremely personal decision, and each person’s journey will vary depending on their current health status, facial anatomy and desired goals. We can, however, provide you with a rough guide of what to expect if you choose to go ahead with facial plastic surgery in Bondi Junction, the types of facelifts available, who makes a good candidate for receiving facial plastic surgery and the types of risks involved.

In Australia such a surgeon is a specialist plastic surgeon Dr Jack Zoumaras is a specialist plastic surgeon (AHPRA MED0001196472) and a facial plastic surgeon (expertise in faces).

The Appeal of a More Defined Face

There is an increasing interest in the cosmetic industry, in facial contouring to refine the definition of the cheeks. One targeted surgical solution to lacking definition in this area is buccal fat removal. With an expert technique performed by a specialised surgeon, you can achieve a naturally sculpted look to enhance your cheekbones and give you the defined face of your dreams.

Artiste’s philosophy places the individual at the heart everything we do. Our meticulous attention to detail makes us the ideal provider of buccal fat removal, a minimally invasive procedure requiring balance, care and an expert hand.

What is Buccal Fat and Why Should you Remove It?

The buccal fat pads are located in the mid-cheek area of the face. These pads are collections of deep fat below the cheekbones, providing structural support to your facial muscles and contributing to the overall shape of the face. The size of your buccal pad is mostly defined by your genes, though it can also be influenced by ageing and weight gain. If your buccal pads are large, you may appear to have a fuller or rounder face shape, which can be something people want to change about themselves if it creates an imbalance in the shape of the face.

Reducing the appearance of buccal fat on the face can enhance the natural shape of your cheekbones, making the face seem more angular. This adds to an impression of youthfulness and can change the balance and profile of the face.

Buccal Fat Removal Procedure

The cosmetic surgery to remove buccal fat is relatively simple. Small incisions are made inside the mouth, meaning that no external scarring will be visible on the face. As scarring is a major concern for those considering cosmetic procedures, buccal fat removal can be an appealing prospect. A predetermined volume of fat is removed through the internal incisions, which can be done under a local or a general anaesthetic depending on your individual needs.

With this procedure, it is vital to consider the balance of the patient’s face. Removing too little fat will not achieve the look you desire, while removing too much can lead to an unattractive, gaunt appearance which is equally to be avoided. Dr Zoumaras takes care with every patient to personalise his technique for facial symmetry, cosmetic artistry and patient safety.

Who is the Ideal Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?

Individuals with naturally fuller cheeks are those who tend to consider buccal fat removal. If you’ve ever had your cheeks described as “cherubic” you may be our ideal candidate. This surgery is helpful to those patients who are seeking to achieve greater definition in their mid-face area by slimming the cheeks right down.

It is important to consider facial anatomy before committing to this procedure – unfortunately it is not suitable for patients with a naturally narrow face. Removing buccal fat from such faces can contribute to an overly thinned and gaunt appearance, which is not conducive to a glowing and youthful look!

A detailed consultation with a specialist surgeon is key to achieving the appearance of your dreams. A skilled cosmetic surgeon can determine your suitability for this surgery, by considering how ageing may affect the shape of your face in the long term which can affect how appropriate buccal fat removal may be for you.

What are the Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal?

• Reducing buccal fat in the cheeks lifts the contours visible in the mid-face area. This can create natural shadows accentuating your cheekbones. Thus, with no change to your other facial features this procedure can add youthful definition to your face.
• By removing fat from the buccal pads, a round and full face can be adjusted to create a more ovular or tapered shape. This new silhouette maintains a natural softness of the face without going so far as gauntness, equalising the proportions between the sections of the face.
• This procedure can subtly reshape the face from various perspectives. The front and three-quarter view show improved facial contours, enhancing the transition between the cheek and jawline to sculpt the profile view.
• Buccal fat removal is a complementary procedure to others in our catalogue. It can improve the visual results of other procedures including jawline contouring and chin augmentation. Working in harmony with lower-face surgeries, this can draw the mid-face into this rejuvenation to create a youthful look.
• The procedure is minimally invasive but gives a maximal aesthetic improvement. A reduction in buccal fat gives natural-looking results without looking overdone, increasing your confidence in your enhanced natural appearance.

Recovery and Longevity

The minimal invasion required for buccal fat removal means that the procedure does not take as long as other cosmetic surgeries. You can expect some swelling to remain for the first one to two weeks of recovery, and you will need to switch to a softer diet while your mouth heals. Mouth rinses can aid the healing process and held to keep the small wounds as clean as possible.

The slimming effect of the procedure will gradually improve as the swelling goes down, leading to maximum enhancement within a few months of surgery. The surgery has excellent longevity: removal of fat from the buccal pads is permanent, meaning that the contour created is stable and long-lasting.

At Artiste, we pride ourselves on the supportive, person-centred post-surgery care that we provide. Patients are followed up carefully and monitored throughout the recovery process.

Choosing a Facial Expert for Your Best Outcome

As with any cosmetic procedure, the clinician you choose should be a surgeon skilled in the anatomy of the face, with expertise in maintaining proportion at all times. Dr Jack Zoumaras has extensive surgical experience with the sculpting of faces, creating proportional and beautiful results for many, many patients. His focus is on refining your natural beauty, enhancing what is already there rather than dramatically reducing or adding. He ensures that every patient’s results are personalised, planned and adjusted carefully to match their unique facial identity.

Your face is your visual calling card – talk to Artiste Plastic Surgery to book a consultation that will enhance your natural beauty in a caring and personalised way.