A natural physical change that comes with age is the loss of volume in the cheeks since the facial fat, specifically the buccal fat pads, and skin elasticity will decline over time. However, the buccal fat pads of some individuals might not decline as they get older, making their cheeks appear substantially prominent. The longest-lasting solution for this cosmetic concern is buccal fat pad reduction in Encino, which could permanently slim and contour the sides of your face.
Despite fuller cheeks being a common physical trait of youthfulness, the prominence of your cheeks could negatively impact your self-image and confidence. If you consider your face disproportionately full due to more prominent volume in the cheeks, ask to speak with our board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Yaghoubian.
The buccal fat pads are naturally-occurring round masses of fat located in the middle of the cheeks between the hollow area beneath the cheekbone and the facial muscles. Buccal fat pads vary in size between individuals, which is a critical component of everyone’s unique facial structure in the mid-face, particularly the cheeks. Individuals may also have different-sized buccal fat pads in some instances, resulting in visible facial asymmetry and less harmony between facial features.
Therefore, many patients consider buccal fat pad reduction surgery in Encino when the fat pads’ volume does not decline with age or become noticeably asymmetrical. After the operation, your mid-face and cheeks appear more mature due to improved contour definition, while boosting facial symmetry. Buccal fat pad reduction is also a typical operation for individuals transitioning from male to female who want to make their cheekbones appear lifted.
Buccal fat pad reduction patients in Encino primarily undergo the operation to remove the excess volume that creates a fuller or plumper facial shape, predominantly in the cheeks. Dr. Yaghoubian makes a small incision on the inside of the mouth or the cheek’s inner portion, eliminating the chance of visible scarring afterward. Then, she removes parts of, or the entirety of, the buccal fat pads through the minor incision, depending on the desired amount of volume reduction.
Dissolvable sutures are typical for closing incisions within the mouth or cheeks, and typically fall out or dissipate within two to seven days. Most patients return to their routine in a few days but must maintain a liquid diet for at least seven to ten days after surgery. The operation’s cosmetic results will finalize once residual swelling fully subsides, typically after four to six recovery weeks.
After a buccal fat pad reduction procedure, excessive fullness may return to your facial appearance if you gain a significant amount of weight, but usually not within the cheeks. However, if only a portion of the pads were taken out during reduction surgery rather than the entirety, weight gain afterward could cause the pads to become larger again.
Round, voluminous cheeks are often considered a youthful facial feature, but some people may think their face appears disproportionately full due to this characteristic. In most cases, this particular cosmetic concern is due to larger buccal fat pads within the cheeks that remain prominent with age, but surgery could provide a long-term resolution.
Since this procedure is minimally invasive, the short recovery period and minimal risks are often worth the life-long facial contour enhancements that patients enjoy. You may want to consider undergoing a buccal fat pad reduction in Encino if you are unhappy with your facial appearance. AESTHETICA LA is here to help you on that journey.