Buccal Fat Removal (Cheek Reduction)
Dr. Shahriyar Yahyavi
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- +18000 Successful Surgeries
- +19 Years of experience
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Brief Info about Dr. Shahriyar Yahyavi
Dr. Shahriyar Yahyavi is a well-known Iranian E.N.T. surgeon with 17 years of experience in otolaryngology and facial cosmetic surgeries. He has been a member of a medical research team in different hospitals. One of a kind in his field, he now performs surgeries on many international candidates and patients from across the world like Canada, Romania, U.S.A., India, Sweden, Spain, United Kingdom, and many other countries.
He was born in 1970 in Tehran. Graduated from "Iran University of Medical Sciences" as an M.D., he then served the military service in the hospital of the police force. After two years of service, he continued his further studies in Otolaryngology. In 2002 he finished his residency program. He got his degree as an Otolaryngologist, ranking first among his peers in the graduation. He has been active since 2002 in facial and nose cosmetic surgeries, nose and sinus endoscopic surgeries, breathing disorders, head, and neck tumors.
How this Procedure is Done
Why Iran?
Before having any cosmetic surgery, you should consult with a knowledgeable specialist to ensure you have made a rational decision. In this case, you will have the opportunity to express your expectations and goals as well. To go through this critical stage, you should look for an expert who understands your concerns and can propose a satisfactory solution. Iranian cosmetic surgeons are the ones you can easily trust to ask any question you have. They have extensive knowledge and invaluable experience specially in this field. They perform many cosmetic surgeries successfully every year and can help you meet your needs. You can make sure they will choose the most suitable procedure that enhances your appearance considerably, inform you of the whole operation and clarify the healing process. Additionally, if you decide to get these surgeries in Iran’s specialized clinics, you will be offered the most up-to-date services with a low cost. Thus, you can save considerable amount of money while traveling to this beautiful country for enhancing your appearance.
What is Buccal Fat Removal?
Typically, a face that is soft and filled out is youthful and looks beautiful. However, some people are not happy with their face since they think it’s too full or chubby. There are various options for them which can significantly enhance their appearance; one of the major ones is a surgery called buccal fat removal. Through this operation, surgeons will thin the cheeks by removing the buccal fat in the cheek hollow area. The size of the buccal fat pad is different for each person.
Who Can Benefit From Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal surgery is an effective solution for individuals who:
- are in good overall health and at a stable weight
- have realistic expectations and goals
- do not smoke
- are not satisfied with the appearance of their full chubby cheeks
Buccal fat removal is an individualized process. Indeed, you should do it for boosting your self-confidence and enhancing your appearance. If you intend to undergo such surgeries just for the sake of gaining others’ satisfaction, it’s better to think twice.
It’s important to note that this operation is not typically carried out for those who have thin, narrow faces. The main reason is that after having this surgery, their face might look gaunter as they get older.
Procedure
This operation is usually performed in a hospital, licensed ambulatory surgery setting or a specialized office. Medications will be used to make you feel comfortable. Depending on your overall health condition, your doctor may choose either intravenous sedation or general anesthesia.
In the very beginning, doctors make an incision inside your mouth, on the inner portion of your cheek. In some cases, the buccal fat pad might be removed during a facelift. Therefore, an incision inside the mouth won’t be needed. Then, surgeons will close the incisions using some absorbable stitches.
Recovery
In spite of the fact that the recovery process for this surgery is somewhat short, it’s better to ask someone to take care of you for a day or two. The reason is that the more your rest, the better you will feel. After having this operation, you may experience shortness of breath, unusual heart beats or chest pains. You don’t need to worry about such complications because majority of patients will feel better after two or three days. If this period lasts longer, talk to your doctor about them immediately to receive additional treatment. Mostly, patients will have to consume a liquid diet for several days or even longer depending on their situation. In addition, you will learn how to use special mouth rinses to reduce the risk of infection.
It’s important to follow all your doctor’s instructions carefully to obtain your desirable results, including how to care for your surgical site or medications to take. Keep in mind that the surgical incisions must not be subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the healing process which will last for several weeks.
The Results
Mostly, it takes several months for you to see the final results of the operation since your cheeks contour to their new appearance gradually. As time passes, they should appear less full or chubby. Moreover, they will look slimmer and more contoured particularly in the cheek hollow area.
Finally, a significant point must be indicated. Despite the fact that all patients expect to achieve their desirable results from this surgery, there is no guarantee. In some situations, a single procedure cannot help you meet your needs and other operations might be necessary. In general, if you take care of yourself and follow all the instructions, you will be able to enjoy your new appearance for a longer period of time.
Through this operation, surgeons remove part of the buccal fat pads in the cheeks. These fat pads are located in the lower cheeks and can lead to an overly round or plump face, also known as "chipmunk cheeks".
Buccal fat removal can be performed at almost any age. Nonetheless, keep in mind that majority of people lose facial fat in their 20s and 30s. If their fat reserves are removed before that time, they will have a gaunt appearance after undergoing the surgery. In this case, their face will look too thin and unhealthy.
It’s recommended to take at least a week or two off work. Thus, you can rest for a longer period of time. Another significant point to mention is that this operation is carried out on your cheeks which are hard to hide. Accordingly, it’s better to stay at home for several weeks before taking part in social events. After a month, you will have a follow-up meeting with your doctor. Then, you will be informed of the suitable time when you can feel free to do your daily routine activities.
In spite of the fact that there is usually no extensive pain related to this operation, many doctors prescribe some medications in advance to alleviate potential pain and reduce bruising. Bromelain and Vitamin K can be mentioned as the most common medications taken in case of pain or swelling. When such complications fade away, you can go back to work and do your daily activities. You might also feel a degree of numbness which is completely normal. It will disappear within two to three months.
Before performing this operation, a professional medical team will talk to you about the medications you take. In some situations, you may have to stop some of them for a week prior to surgery. Most vitamins and herbal supplements have some side effects; they may cause bleeding during the operation. Your doctor will provide you with a list of medications that must be avoided before and after the surgery.
During your buccal fat extraction consultation, your doctor will ask you aboutthe aesthetic goals you have, review theavailable options, and explain what can be realistically achieved with this surgery. The probable complications and anesthesia choices will be clarified as well. It’s better to think about all your expectations in advance and talk to your doctor about them. In this case, your surgeon will determine the best option and you can make sure that all your favorable results will be obtained.
For a week or two, your lower face and mouth might be sore, swollen and tender. You don’t need to worry about them because such complications will fade away gradually. Your doctor usually recommendsa special diet of foods which are not acidic. You must also sleep with your head elevated for at least a week and rinse your mouth with a mouthwash several times every day.
They aregenerally removed within seven to ten days after your buccal fat extraction surgery. Of course, before removing the sutures, your doctor will evaluate your progress and overall health condition. By the way, the removal process is so quick and mostly not painful.
As the swelling fades away, you will be able to see the results. Nevertheless, you may have to wait for about two weeks since taking some medications may reduce the speed of healing. Therefore, it’s better to set a follow-up meeting with your doctor after a month to learn how to take care of yourself for achieving your favorable results.
Fortunately, the results of buccal fat extraction are long-lasting. However, in case of gaining considerable amount of weight in the future, your cheeks might plump up again and you will need additional treatment to solve the problem.
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