Buccal fat pads are the pads of fat that augment the lower part of the cheeks. Some patients feel their buccal fat pads are too large, creating “chubby cheeks,” or a “chipmunk cheek” effect. The “chubby cheek” look can result from a variety of conditions. Being overweight is one condition, while a genetic predisposition can also cause one to have rounder cheeks with larger buccal fat pads.
Recovery & Healing
After buccal fat pad removal it is common for patients to experience some swelling. Swelling typically lasts 2-3 weeks for most patients. During the first few days following your surgery, you will be on a soft or semi-liquid diet, and you will have to use an antibiotic mouthwash to rinse and spit several times a day to keep the inside of the mouth clean.
Plan on a week to 10 days of recovery as the tissues inside the mouth heal much quicker than the skin. Within 2-3 weeks the swelling should be almost or entirely gone and you will begin to see a beautiful contour below the cheekbone.
Provided you do not have excessive weight gain, the results are permanent. Due to its simple nature, no visible scarring and beautiful results, buccal fat pad removal has become one of the most popular procedures in cosmetic surgery today.