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Buccal fat pad extraction is for those with extra round cheeks who wish to have a slightly more chiseled look. Most people lose this roundness in their late 20s. Due to heredity, some people may never lose the chubby look in their cheeks. Often candidates for buccal fat pad extraction refer to their face as having "chipmunk cheeks."
Buccal fat are pads of fat that augment the lower part of the cheeks. These "chubby cheeks," or "chipmunk cheeks," can result from a variety of conditions. Being overweight is one condition, while a genetic predisposition can also cause one to have round cheeks. Buccal fat removal, also called cheek reduction surgery, offers a solution to those who want to reduce the size of their cheeks. Removal of these fat pads can slim the cheeks and contour the face. This can help people achieve a more chiseled and hollowed look.
An incision is made inside the mouth, about a half inch in length opposite the upper molar teeth. The entire fat pad is removed, which is the size of a golf ball A few patients will have fat pads that are slightly smaller or larger than usual. The entire pad is removed to ensure, as best as possible, a maximum result.
Recovery
The recovery process is relatively quick and painless. For a few days the patient will look like they have had oral surgery with swollen cheeks, but no bruising. By one week, the patients generally look like they did pre-operatively and the final results become apparent after 4-6 weeks as residual swelling disappears.
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