• Anesthesia:
    Local
  • Duration:
    30 minutes
  • Pain level:
    3 to 4/10
  • Recovery time:
    7 days
  • Resuming physical activities:
    4 weeks

Buccal fat pad removal allows us to create a more sculpted and chiselled look. The buccal fat pads are fatty deposits in the cheeks that extend to the temples and back of the upper jaw. Usually, we see these fat pads more prominently in younger children, and they begin to slim into adulthood. If still present later in life, the buccal fat pad can lead to disproportionately round cheeks, making patients self-conscious about their appearance.

At Phi Plastic Surgery, Dr. Perry Gdalevitch can remove fat in this area to give patients a more defined and contoured cheekbone.

Patients who are good candidates for this procedure

  • Are at a stable and healthy weight
  • Have no significant medical problems
  • Non-smokers
  • Not on blood thinners
  • Patients who wish to address chubby cheeks

Patients who are poor candidates for this procedure

  • Obese (want or need to lose weight)
  • Smoker
  • Have serious medical problems
  • On blood thinners
  • Already have a slim, contoured cheek. Removal may make them look hollow or aged.

Are you a good candidate?

Our Self Evaluation Quiz can help you decide if a buccal fat pad removal is the right procedure for you.

Technique for Buccal Fat Pad Removal

The buccal fat pad removal procedure usually takes 30 minutes. Dr. Gdalevitch will begin the surgery by making an incision in the mouth near the buccal fat area. This incision usually measures around 1-2 centimetres and leaves no marks on the outside of the cheeks. This allows access to the fat pad, which she will then carefully remove through this opening.

Discover the procedure through live surgeries

Buccal fat pad reduction presentation

Consent for buccal fat pad reduction

Pre op instructions for buccal fat pad reduction

At Phi Plastic Surgery, we believe that a beautiful body can take many shapes and sizes. The Phi philosophy centers on respecting your body's proportions and helping you let your inner beauty shine.

We offer our patients the best, most advanced techniques to help them achieve their aesthetic goals.

Pre-op & post-op instructions

These pre-surgical and post-surgical instructions are provided as essential services for you. Please follow the instructions carefully to ensure optimum results. If there are instructions that need to be clarified, please feel free to contact our office as soon as possible. If some instructions are not followed, your surgery could be delayed if deemed necessary by your surgeon.

Pre-op INSTRUCTIONS

THREE WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop all consumption of collagen
  • Prepare your surgery date: Plan to ensure a stress-free experience. Arrange your work leave and special assistance to help you with ride home. Prepare your return by organizing meals, delivery, babysitting, etc. Make sure you have someone scheduled to accompany you home after your surgery. Someone should also be on-call to help you during the first 24 hours after your surgery.

TWO WEEKS before your surgery

  • Stop the consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • A preoperative visit (if necessary), approximately two weeks before your surgery, will be scheduled to review your goals and provide you with additional information regarding your surgery.

SEVEN DAYS before your surgery

  • Stop taking any supplements or medications from the list below. These products can increase the risk of bleeding and other complications. Stop consuming any non-prescribed supplements including Omega 3-6, nutricap, ouch, echinacea, glucosamine, fat burners, St. John’s wort etc. Aspirin, medicines containing aspirin or any anticoagulants such as arixtra pf, clopidogrel, plavix, coumadin, dalteparin, edoxaban, eliquis, apixaban, enoxaparin, fragmin pfsyringe, lepirudin, padaxa, dabigatran etexilate, xarelto, rivaroxaban.
  • Confirm your surgical support plan: This includes your transportation and post-surgical care, including an adult family member or a friend on-call for your support, 24 hours after your surgery.
  • Purchase any prescription (if applicable) provided by Dr. Gdalevitch and revise your pre-surgical instructions.

The day BEFORE your surgery

Prepare a bag. It should include:

  • All necessary papers
  • Your identification (RAMQ card)
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Glasses if necessary
  • Confirm the person who will assist you for the first 24 hours after surgery.
  • Take a shower. Use a non-perfumed soap. Wash your hair. Do not put cream or lotions. Do not put deodorants, hair products, perfumes, or makeup.
  • Relax. Enjoy a good night’s sleep and avoid stress.

YOUR SURGERY DAY

  • If you wish to have oral sedation, do not eat or drink 4 hours before the surgery.
  • Do not train before surgery.
  • Please bring your medications that have been prescribed to you in a bag as above.
  • Do not wear any make-up, jewellery, contact lenses, hairpin or piercings: during surgery, an electric cautery is used, any piercing or jewellery can cause burns.
  • Wear light and comfortable clothing. Wear a top that opens forward. Do not wear a sweater, turtleneck or tight clothing. You can wear a skirt, but pants and a jogging jacket are ideal. Flat shoes should be worn that are easy to remove and to put on (no heels).

post-op instructions

The night of surgery

You can expect to have some pain and discomfort in the area after surgery. There will be swelling and may be some mild bleeding from the areas. For your comfort we recommend:

  1. Keep your head elevated
  2. Take extra strength Tylenol every 4 hours
  3. Take a medication like Gravol 30 minutes before taking your prescribed pain medication to avoid nausea and
  4. Take the pain medication as prescribed
  5. Take your antibiotics
  6. Avoid leaning forward or down with your head

Please contact us immediately if you experience any of the following

  • You have a fever of > 38.5
  • Severe nausea or vomiting
  • Are experiencing hallucinations or unusual behaviour
  • Your pain is not controlled with the pain medication
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Difficulty breathing

The day after surgery

  • You will need to eat soft foods for the initial three or five days, and rinse your mouth out afterwards
  • You can expect the pain to decrease after 48 hours
  • It is best to keep your head elevated as much as possible to prevent swelling
  • You can shower

Healing and follow up

  • You may experience minor swelling for 1-2 months
  • Patients usually return to work after 1 week
  • You should rest for 1 week
  • You will have a follow up appointment  in 1 week

Your results

Recovery from buccal fat pad removal may involve some swelling in the cheeks for the first two or three weeks. Patients may find it slightly challenging to chew at first.

Buccal fat pad removal will help you obtain a more contoured, chiselled cheekbone and will accomplish the following:

  • Removal of excess fat in the buccal fat pad area
  • Reduce the volume and roundness of the cheeks
  • Enhance the contour of the cheekbone
  • Increase self-confidence that comes with a more defined cheekbone

The result is a slimmer, thinner face with a more defined cheekbone appearance.

View most frequently asked questions

What is the buccal fat pad?

The buccal fat pad is a collection of fat that lies right under the cheekbone, lying between muscles involved with chewing and facial movement.

What will removing this fat pad do for my facial contour?

Buccal fat pad removal will result in a more sculpted and chiselled look. By defining the cheekbone, the facial shape becomes more aesthetically pleasing.

Who is a good candidate for buccal fat pad removal?

Candidates for buccal fat pad removal must be in good health and maintain a stable and healthy weight. Patients who wish to address chubby cheeks or desire more defined cheekbones are good candidates for this procedure.

What is the recovery time for buccal fat pad removal?

Most patients recover from this procedure quickly, with only mild-to-moderate swelling and pain.

How long will my results last?

Buccal fat pad removal is permanent. The fat tissue that is removed will not come back.

How much does the procedure cost?

Buccal fat pad reduction

starting at $4,000

For a more beautiful and proportional you!

φ Phi is the Greek symbol that indicates the golden ratio, a ratio that is synonymous with beauty.

Dr. Perry Gdalevitch offers a unique approach that involves applying the principles of perfect proportions (phi) to help you achieve your aesthetic and reconstructive goals.

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