Is Buccal Fat Removal Painful?

The surgery itself is mostly painless, as it is performed under either general or local anesthesia. However, after buccal fat removal, patients may experience mild soreness in the cheeks as their incisions heal. Over-the-counter painkillers and ice packs are usually enough to mitigate this discomfort.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

In addition to your consultation and surgery date, you will likely need to come into the office several more times so that Dr. Slocum can evaluate your incisions and ensure that neither infection nor complications have arisen.

How Long Until I See Results?

There may be residual swelling in the cheeks that can last several months. As a safe bet, you can count on seeing marked improvement in your facial contours after two months, if not earlier.

Can I Combine Buccal Fat Removal With Other Procedures?

Dr. Slocum can combine buccal fat removal with chin and neck liposuction or other aesthetic procedures of your choosing. Speak with him during your private consultation at our Portsmouth-based practice to learn more about a combination approach to your care.

What Are the Risks Associated With Buccal Fat Removal?

Cheek reduction surgery is generally considered a safe, low-risk procedure when performed by an experienced, board-certified medical professional such as Dr. Slocum in New England. However, some risks do exist, including: Excessive bleeding Poor reactions to anesthesia Infection Nerve injury Injury to salivary glands or ducts, leading to dry mouth A gaunt facial appearance from over-resection (removing too much fat) Inadequate improvement from under-resection (not removing enough fat) Asymmetry in the cheeks Dr. Slocum provides all surgery patients with a phone number where he can be directly reached after surgery. He and his team will be with you every step of the way during your recovery!

Portsmouth, NH

Buccal Fat Removal

Introduction to Buccal Fat Removal

Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic procedure to slim the lower cheeks and create the universally admired “V-shaped” facial contour. For patients in Dover, Boston, and the surrounding New England area who have been unable to sculpt their cheeks through dieting and exercise alone, buccal fat removal can be a game-changing solution. Dr. Alexander Slocum at Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics in Portsmouth, NH, has the precision and artistic eye to ensure your results appear balanced, natural, and customized to your wishes.

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Buccal Fat Removal Results

Buccal Fat Removal B&A

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Achieve a Balanced, Refined Look

What is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat exists as a pad of adipose tissue in the cheek, resting below the cheekbone. In some individuals, this fat pad is more pronounced, making the face look “babyish” or “chipmunk-like.” Because this kind of fat doesn’t respond to conventional contouring means, such as diet and working out at the gym, many patients feel frustrated by the overly round shape of their lower face. When performed by a board-certified aesthetic expert such as Dr. Slocum in Portsmouth, buccal fat removal can narrow the facial lines, giving more emphasis to the cheekbones and the jawline. Because buccal fat does not return after it is removed, it is crucial that your surgeon does not over-operate and preserves enough fat in the cheeks that you still look healthy and youthful.

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Buccal Fat Removal For Men

For male patients seeking to be taken seriously in their professional lives, having an overly round or “babyish” face can be extremely distressing. Dr. Slocum can streamline the lower face through buccal fat removal, creating more chiseled, masculine-looking contours that project confidence, strength, and security.

What Are the Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is a popular cosmetic procedure with a high rate of patient satisfaction. Advantages include:

Slims the lower face
Creates a more angular jawline
Enhances definition in the cheekbones
Improves facial symmetry
Harmonizes the features
Scarring is concealed inside the cheeks
Boosts self-confidence
Quick recovery time

Who Are the Best Candidates For Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal may be ideal for any patient who is unhappy with overly round cheek contours or a facial shape that looks too young to suit their personality. Ideal candidates are over 18, as it is important to wait until the facial shape has matured before altering it. For older individuals, it is critical that buccal fat removal is accompanied by skin tightening. Otherwise, the procedure can cause the patient to look too gaunt. Patients should be healthy non-smokers at a stable weight who are realistic in their expectations for their results. Dr. Slocum will meet with you in private at his Boston-area offices to assess your facial shape, review your medical history, and discuss your goals for improvement, ensuring that buccal fat removal will be a safe and successful procedure for you.

Let’s Get Started

What’s The
First Step?

The first step in getting buccal fat removal surgery in the Dover, Boston, or greater New England area is to contact Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics in Portsmouth, NH, and schedule a consultation with Dr. Alexander Slocum. When you come in for this appointment, you can ask any questions you have about the procedure, evaluate your cheeks and facial anatomy, and ask some questions about your medical history. It’s very important to be completely open and honest with Dr. Slocum. Your information will help him prevent unnecessary complications and perform the most successful surgery possible.

Once Dr. Slocum has cleared you for surgery, you will need to follow a few steps to prepare for buccal fat removal. If you smoke, you will need to quit 4-6 weeks prior to your surgery, as smoking can lead to serious complications and poor aesthetic outcomes. On the night before your surgery, you will typically be asked to stop eating and drinking at around midnight. Make sure to arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home after surgery and fill any prescriptions ahead of time.

What to Expect on the Day of Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

Buccal fat removal usually takes 45 minutes to one hour to complete and is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia. Dr. Slocum will discuss your anesthesia options in more depth during your private consultation in Portsmouth, NH. During surgery, Dr. Slocum will create small incisions inside the cheeks in order to access the buccal fat pads. He will then remove the appropriate amount of fat, being careful not to over-operate. The incisions are then closed, and the patient is placed in the recovery suite for monitoring until they are ready to go home.

Buccal Fat Removal Recovery

Most patients require about 2-3 weeks of recovery after buccal fat removal in the North Shore. It can take longer than this to see the full results of surgery because it takes time for the facial shape to adjust once the buccal fat pads are smaller. Facial swelling will peak in the first week and then gradually subside after several months, revealing a slimmer, more sculpted, and angular lower face appearance.

At first, you will need to eat softer foods, as this can enhance your comfort during the healing process. The incisions inside the mouth will likely feel sore for some time, and the skin may be numb temporarily. Pain can be well managed with over-the-counter painkillers and ice packs placed on the outside of the jaw.

Fair & Transparent Pricing

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost in Boston or New Hampshire?

The cost of Buccal Fat Removal in Portsmouth, Dover, and the greater New England area can range from $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the extent of the changes required and whether other procedures are performed at the same time (such as liposuction). Dr. Slocum understands your need for financial clarity and will provide a detailed quote for services at the time of your private consultation in Portsmouth, NH.

SPS Expertise

Why Choose Dr. Slocum?

Dr. Alexander Slocum, Jr, MD/PhD, FACS, is a trusted board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, credentialed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the American College of Surgeons (FACS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), and the Aesthetic Society for American Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS).

Dr. Slocum attended medical school at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University in West Virginia before completing a demanding general surgery internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. He was then recruited to the Integrated Plastic Surgery residency program at MCW in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, one of the most competitive and rigorous training programs in the country. During his training, Dr. Slocum completed almost 3,000 individual surgeries.

A New Hampshire native, Dr. Slocum opened Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics in the Portsmouth and Dover area to provide patients with outstanding concierge care in a technologically advanced practice setting. He provides a personalized approach, delivering natural-looking outcomes for patients of all ages, genders, and backgrounds.

Buccal Fat Removal FAQ’S

Cheek reduction surgery is generally considered a safe, low-risk procedure when performed by an experienced, board-certified medical professional such as Dr. Slocum in New England. However, some risks do exist, including:
- Excessive bleeding
- Poor reactions to anesthesia
- Infection
- Nerve injury
- Injury to salivary glands or ducts, leading to dry mouth
- A gaunt facial appearance from over-resection (removing too much fat)
- Inadequate improvement from under-resection (not removing enough fat)
- Asymmetry in the cheeks
Dr. Slocum provides all surgery patients with a phone number where he can be directly reached after surgery. He and his team will be with you every step of the way during your recovery!

Schedule a consultation

Your Seacoast Journey Starts Here

If you are frustrated by the roundness of your cheeks and wish for a more sophisticated and streamlined facial shape, contact Dr. Slocum at Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Medical Aesthetics in New Hampshire today to find out more about buccal fat removal. We are excited to speak with you and set up your private consultation.

Schedule a Consultation