Buccal Fat Removal

Concerned you might have a face that appears too full, too round or too fat? Do you believe you have a baby face? While there’s nothing wrong with bigger cheeks, often more defined and even chiseled features are more desirable. Opting for our Pittsburgh buccal fat removal, you can achieve a more slender face that is better suited to your own ideals of beauty and facial symmetry.

At Leong Facial Plastic Surgery, one of Pittsburgh’s preeminent facial plastic surgeons, Dr. Paul Leong, carefully curates the perfect buccal fat removal plan for you personally. Part science, mostly art, your results will be flattering, integrated, beautiful and confidence evoking.

It’s your face. Trust it to a specialist.

What is buccal fat removal?

The buccal fat pad refers to the fat tissues located in your cheeks, just between the hollows of your cheekbone and facial muscles. The size of the buccal fat pads determine the shape and contour of your cheeks and face.

While all of us have buccal fat pads, some have larger fat pads that make their face look larger than they’d like. It is the presence of a large buccal fat pad that makes some people appear to have an eternal “baby face.” Buccal fat removal, also called cheek reduction or buccal lipectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure used to remove excess buccal fat tissues to add contour and definition to your face.

What happens before buccal fat removal?

During your initial consultation, Dr. Leong will discuss your cosmetic goals and medical history and ask you about past surgeries and current medications. He will examine your skin and facial structure to curate the ideal treatment plan for you personally.

What happens during buccal fat removal?

A buccal fat removal procedure can be conducted in our office on an outpatient basis. Local anesthesia ensures you don’t experience pain or discomfort. General anesthesia is an option in rare cases. During the procedure, Dr. Leong will carefully place tiny incisions inside your cheeks. Pressure will be applied outside the cheeks to expose the underlying buccal fat pads and to remove the excess fat tissues. Once the appropriate volume of excess fat is removed, the incisions will be sutured with dissolvable stitches. In some cases Dr. Leong removes buccal fat as part of a facelift procedure.

What happens after buccal fat removal?

After the buccal fat removal procedure, Dr. Leong will discuss post-operative care and provide guidelines for recovery. You may need to eat a liquid diet for a few days and gradually progress to soft foods. Your cheeks will look swollen and slightly bruised for a few days. Ice compresses and rest will aid in rapidly mitigating these after effects.

Your cheeks will fully recover within 3 weeks and you will continue seeing gradual improvements over several months. It may be several months before you see the final and beautiful results of the procedure.

Not only was I very happy with my experience, I was thrilled beyond description! How fortunate am I that I landed an appointment with a true professional that excels at what he does? Not only was he prompt but Dr. Leong spent a great deal of time discussing my issues, concerns and goals.

Review from AngiesList.com

The results were more than I possibly could’ve hoped for. I had a facelift with Dr. Leong. The results were incredible. I have heard he is the best facelift surgeon in the region and I couldn’t agree more. I would recommend him to anyone.

Review from RateMds.com

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Am I a suitable candidate for buccal fat removal?

Buccal fat removal is a suitable procedure for people who are in good physical health, don’t smoke (or who can cease smoking leading up to and after their surgery), and who have a healthy body weight. You’re a suitable candidate for buccal fat removal in Pittsburgh if you have a round face, don’t like the fullness of your face, or want facial feminization. However, Dr. Leong may advise against the procedure if you already have too narrow a face or if you suffer from certain uncommon skin conditions.

Is buccal fat removal safe?

As with all surgical procedures, there is a risk of infections or a negative reaction to the anesthesia. However, Dr. Leong is an exceptionally talented facial plastic who takes all necessary precautions to prevent problems and infections and rarely if ever does he see them. You will be monitored for a few hours after treatment to ensure your body doesn’t have an adverse reaction. Buccal fat removal is a very commonly performed cosmetic surgery and complications are extremely rare.

Paul Leong MD FACS

The Facial Specialist

Dr. Leong completed his medical degree at the Yale University School of Medicine. He then dedicated the next seven years honing his skills specifically in head, face, and neck surgery at the University of Pittsburgh—a university consistently ranked among the top five otolaryngology programs in the country. Dr. Leong continued to develop his surgical skills through a fellowship in Advanced Oncologic Surgery of the Head and Neck at the Pittsburgh Medical Center. This was followed by yet another fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Oregon Health Sciences University.

Dr. Paul Leong, preeminent facial plastic surgeon in Pittsburgh

Buccal fat removal requires immense skill, talent and experience. Exceptional results depend on a blend of part science and part art. Dr. Leong is one of the most respected, talented and experienced facial plastic surgeons in Pittsburgh. He has an exceptional track record because he cares for his patients personally to ensure that each receives the very best in care and naturally beautiful results. If you wish to learn more, contact us today and schedule a consultation for arguably the best treatment of buccal fat removal Pittsburgh has to offer.

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