Face Slimming | Buccal Fat Removal

The face-slimming surgery is performed under local anesthetics in our clinic in The Hague.

During the surgery, your designated surgeon will make an incision on the inside of your mouth, near the cheeks and the fat bags. 

He will then apply pressure on the fat bags from the outside of the cheek to push the fat out through the incision. Once the fat is removed, your surgeon will complete the surgery by stitching up the incisions.

The procedure takes approximately 1 hour, followed by another period of time of us supervising your condition. You will be dismissed from the clinic on the same day.

The result of a face slimming surgery is a slimmer face without any visible scars. In addition, your cheekbones will be more defined as the fat removal creates a contour in the lower third of your face.

The result will be long-lasting as the fat pad is removed. However, we recommend that our patient adjusts to a healthy lifestyle after the surgery to maintain an optimal lasting result.

In addition, to create a perfect slimmed face, you can combine this surgery with a filler treatment plan to create the perfect jawline to complement the results of the contoured cheekbones of the Bichectomy.

The face slimming can be combined with liposuction of the double chin. This is the ultimate long-lasting face-slimming treatment. It not only contours the cheekbones, but it contours your jawline as well. Your surgeon can perform these two procedures together so you can benefit from the same recovery period and a package policy of our clinic.

This treatment is ideal for candidates who cannot remove stubborn fat under the chin and the cheeks.

The result of this treatment is more drastic than the Bisechtomy by itself but in a natural and long-lasting way. It will create a “V-shape” and a slim face.

After the procedure, your face will feel swollen immediately. You can apply cold pressure on the treated area to cool it down for two days.

Because the incisions are made inside the mouth, the wounds can take up to two weeks to close because of the moistness. Our medical team will provide antibiotic treatments and oral care products to prevent infection and discomfort.

The final results are seen after a couple of weeks.

Safety through precautionary measures

Like every other surgery, there are several things to bear in mind:

• To prepare you for your upcoming surgery, you may receive guidelines on your lifestyle (eating, drinking, and any addictions)
• You will be given antibiotics. If you are allergic to certain medications, please inform us beforehand.
• We advise you to arrange for a family member or a friend to monitor you for the first 24 hours at home.
• You should adjust your diet to liquid for the first few days after the surgery.
• You cannot do any heavy lifting or exercise for at least four weeks.

As with many other surgeries, there are risks with Bichectomy. Though infrequent, possible complications include:

• Bleeding (haematoma). There is sometimes bleeding after surgery from the tissue around the wound. Should this happen, your face may feel swollen and painful. It may be necessary to drain it by performing an additional procedure, requiring you to go back to the hospital or clinic.
• Infection. Recognizing that a surgical incision implies the risk of infection through the bacteria from the patient’s skin is essential. This potential infection can be accompanied by fatigue, weakness, fever and muscle pain. Antibiotics during your surgery will reduce this risk to a minimum. A patient rarely has to be re-hospitalized. If you experience any symptoms of infection, contact your medical advisor or ring the outside office hours number is necessary.
• Wound healing. How the wound heals varies from one person to the other and even from one body part to the other and is a gradual process. Smoking before and after the surgery can seriously impede the healing process.

Buccal fat removal, also known as buccal fat pad reduction, is a cosmetic surgical procedure that involves the removal of a specific fat pad located in the cheeks, known as the buccal fat pad. This procedure often creates a more sculpted or slimmer facial appearance.

Here’s how buccal fat removal typically works:

1. Consultation: The first step is to consult with a board-certified plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon. During this consultation, you’ll discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure and any potential risks or complications.
2. Anesthesia: The surgeon will administer a local anesthetic to numb the area around your cheeks to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
3. Incisions: Small incisions are made inside the mouth, usually on the insides of the cheeks, so there are no visible scars on the skin’s surface.
4. Fat Removal: The surgeon carefully removes a portion of the buccal fat pad through these incisions. The amount of fat removed depends on the patient’s desired outcome and the surgeon’s assessment of their facial structure.
5. Suturing: After removing the desired amount of fat, the incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures. There’s no need for external stitches.
6. Recovery: Recovery time is relatively short, with most patients returning to normal activities within a week. You may experience some swelling and bruising in the cheeks, but this typically subsides within a few weeks.
7. Results: The final results of buccal fat removal may take a few months as the swelling decreases and the tissues settle fully. Patients often notice a more defined and slimmer facial contour.

It’s important to note that buccal fat removal is unsuitable for everyone. The procedure is typically recommended for individuals who have excess buccal fat and desire a more chiseled appearance to their cheeks. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified surgeon to determine if you’re a good candidate for this procedure and to discuss any potential risks and complications associated with it. Additionally, results can vary from person to person, and achieving a natural-looking outcome is essential.

Always seek out a board-certified surgeon with experience in facial plastic surgery to ensure a safe and successful buccal fat removal procedure.