Blog

What Happens During Buccal Fat Removal Surgery?

Buccal fat removal surgery, a highly sought-after facial procedure, is an effective way to enhance facial contours and achieve a more defined facial appearance. Dr. Vitenas, a renowned expert in plastic reconstruction surgery, offers a step-by-step insight into this transformative process.

Close-up of a person's lower face post-buccal fat removal, showing enhanced facial definition.
Buccal fat removal enhances facial contours for a defined appearance.

Before the Buccal Fat Removal Procedure

Initial Consultation and Surgical Planning

The journey to contoured cheeks begins with a comprehensive consultation. During this initial meeting, Dr. Vitenas evaluates the patient’s physical health and previous surgeries and discusses their aesthetic goals. This stage is crucial for determining if the individual is an ideal candidate for cheek reduction surgery. Key factors such as facial structures, fat deposits, and potential complications are assessed to tailor the buccal fat removal procedure to the patient’s needs.

Marking the Area for Buccal Fat Extraction

Before the surgical procedure commences, Dr. Vitenas meticulously marks the targeted areas. This step ensures precision in fat pad extraction surgery, aiming for symmetric cheek hollows and maintaining the balance of adjacent tissues.

Administering Anesthesia for Buccal Fat Removal

To ensure patient comfort during the buccal fat pad removal, appropriate anesthesia is administered. This step is vital for a pain-free experience, allowing Dr. Vitenas to perform the cheek reduction surgery with utmost precision.

Detailed Walkthrough of Buccal Fat Excision Technique

The buccal fat excision technique is a critical component of buccal fat removal surgery, meticulously performed to enhance facial contours. This process involves a series of precise steps to ensure the safe and effective removal of the buccal fat pads, a type of fatty tissue located in the cheeks. Dr. Vitenas, an expert in facial procedures, employs a specialized approach to achieve the desired aesthetic results while prioritizing patient safety and comfort.

Incision Points and Access to Buccal Fat Pads

The procedure begins with the creation of access points to reach the buccal fat pads. Dr. Vitenas typically uses an intraoral approach, making a small incision inside the mouth, often in the region of the upper molar teeth. This technique is preferred as it avoids external scarring, ensuring that there is no visible sign of the surgery on the patient’s face.

Precise Removal of Buccal Fat Tissue

Once access is gained, Dr. Vitenas carefully identifies and isolates the buccal fat pad. Specialized tools and techniques, such as intraoral excision and excision with hydrodissection, are employed to meticulously remove the fat pad tissue. This step requires a high degree of precision and skill to ensure that only the appropriate amount of fat is removed. Over-extraction can lead to undesired hollowing, while under-extraction may result in insufficient contouring.

Intraoperative Monitoring and Adjustments During Surgery

Real-Time Assessments for Symmetrical Results

Throughout the hours of surgery, Dr. Vitenas performs real-time assessments. This vigilant monitoring is critical to ensure the symmetrical removal of fatty tissue and to address any unforeseen intraoperative challenges.

Closing Incisions and Concluding the Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

Upon completing the buccal fat pad excision, Dr. Vitenas expertly closes the incisions with absorbable sutures. His technique minimizes the risk of visible scarring and promotes a swift healing process.

  • Strategic Incision Placement: Dr. Vitenas uses an intraoral approach for buccal fat pad removal, placing incisions inside the mouth in the buccal space. This technique effectively hides scars inside the mouth, avoiding visible scarring on the external facial skin.
  • Minimizing Tissue Trauma: During the surgery, he focuses on precise and gentle techniques for making incisions and excisions. This approach minimizes tissue trauma, reducing the risk of significant scarring and enhancing the body’s healing efficiency.
  • Suture Selection and Technique: Dr. Vitenas often opts for absorbable sutures in buccal fat removal surgeries. These sutures dissolve over time, removing the need for suture removal and lessening stress on healing tissues. His meticulous suturing technique ensures precise alignment of incision edges, aiding in a seamless healing process and further minimizing scarring.

The Immediate Postoperative Phase of Buccal Fat Removal

Immediately after surgery, patients receive detailed care instructions. Dr. Vitenas advises on managing the incision site clean, dietary modifications like a liquid diet for the initial days after surgery, and the use of a special mouthwash to maintain oral hygiene.

The Recovery After Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

The recovery period post-buccal fat removal surgery is relatively quick. Most patients can resume normal activities within a few days, following Dr. Vitenas’ guidance on facial care and diet. Keeping the head elevated and consuming soft foods are part of the recommended protocol to ensure a complete recovery and effective procedure outcome.

Possible Risks and How Surgeons Address Them During Surgery

In any surgical procedure, there’s a risk of complications. Dr. Vitenas meticulously plans each step of the buccal fat removal surgery to minimize these risks. His extensive experience in facial surgery enables him to anticipate and swiftly manage potential complications, ensuring patient safety and optimal results.

Aftercare for Long-term Success of Buccal Fat Removal

Postoperative care is crucial for achieving the desired aesthetic improvement. Dr. Vitenas provides detailed aftercare instructions, emphasizing the importance of following them strictly. This includes guidelines on managing prescription medications, avoiding external pressure on the cheeks, and gradually transitioning to a normal diet. Adhering to these aftercare steps is essential for maintaining the contours after surgery and ensuring long-term satisfaction with the results.

Importance of Following Up with Dr. Vitenas

Regular follow-ups with Dr. Vitenas are essential. These appointments allow him to monitor the healing process, assess the results, and address any concerns. It’s also an opportunity for patients to discuss any issues related to the recovery period, such as discomfort or changes in facial sensation.

Lifestyle Adjustments for Optimal Results

Patients are advised to make certain lifestyle adjustments post-surgery. This includes maintaining good physical health, avoiding strenuous activities for a specified period, and adhering to a balanced diet. These measures not only aid in faster recovery but also contribute to the longevity of the aesthetic results.

Choosing to undergo buccal fat removal surgery is a significant decision that requires expert guidance. Trust in the skill and experience of Dr. Vitenas to guide you through every step of this transformative journey.

Patients who thoroughly understand the buccal fat removal procedure, adhere to postoperative care instructions, and maintain good overall health are more likely to enjoy a youthful appearance and lasting satisfaction with their new facial contours.

From your initial consultation to the final stages of recovery, Dr. Vitenas ensures a smooth, supportive process, leading to stunning results. Don’t wait to embrace a more confident you – schedule your consultation with Dr. Vitenas today.