Is a Buccal Fat Pad Removal Painful?

Because your surgery is performed using local anesthesia, your visit will be relaxing, stress-free, and painless. After surgery, you can relieve any soreness or tenderness in the cheeks by taking oral pain medications and applying ice packs to the outside of the skin.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Your buccal fat pad removal procedure will require a series of visits to Dr. Block-Wheeler’s office in San Francisco. In combination with your consultation and surgery date, you will attend several follow-up sessions, which allow the doctor to monitor your healing and ensure no complications arise.

How Long Until I See Results?

Residual swelling in the cheeks can persist for several months. Once this side effect has fully disappeared, you will enjoy a more contoured, sculpted facial appearance.

Can I Combine a Buccal Fat Pad Removal With Other Procedures?

Yes, absolutely. Dr. Block-Wheeler performs a broad array of transformative aesthetic procedures to help patients achieve the youthful, attractive appearance they desire. During your initial consultation in San Francisco, the doctor can discuss your options in more detail and curate a treatment plan tailored to your goals.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Buccal Fat Pad Removal?

Buccal fat pad removal is considered highly safe and effective when performed by a credentialed plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Block-Wheeler in San Francisco. However, all cosmetic surgeries carry certain risks. With buccal fat pad removal, risks include: Swelling Bleeding Infection Nerve injury Injury to the salivary glands or ducts Dry mouth Over-removal of fat Asymmetry

Buccal Fat Removal in San Francisco, CA

Buccal Fat Removal

Introduction

Introduction to Buccal Fat Pad Removal

When the buccal fat pads in the cheeks are overly prominent, they can create unwanted facial fullness, leading to self-consciousness for patients. Dr. Nikolas Block-Wheeler in San Francisco performs buccal fat pad removal to create slimmer, more refined contours and help patients reclaim a positive, confident self-image.

What is Buccal Fat Pad Removal?

The buccal fat pads are composed of adipose tissue that lies on the insides of the cheeks. When excessive and enlarged, they can distort the facial contours, causing an overly round, young, or “chipmunk-like” appearance. By reducing the size of the buccal fat pads, Dr. Block-Wheeler can create a more streamlined, lower facial appearance, reinstating the universally coveted V-shaped contour. Buccal fat is notoriously difficult to remove through conventional methods, such as diet and exercise, making surgical intervention one of the most powerful ways to reshape the midface.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Buccal Fat Pad Removal?

Many patients with overly pronounced buccal fat pads complain of a full or round face that causes them. Ideal candidates for buccal fat pad removal in San Francisco are healthy individuals who don’t smoke and have realistic expectations for their results. Dr. Block-Wheeler will conduct a thorough medical review and physical assessment to ensure that the procedure is the best option for restoring a balanced appearance.

What Are the Benefits of Buccal Fat Pad Removal?

When choosing The Block-Wheeler Clinic in San Francisco, CA, for buccal fat pad removal, patients enjoy the following benefits:

A slimmer, more streamlined profile
A more sophisticated, attractive appearance
Enhanced balance, sculpting, and definition
Increased symmetry
Inconspicuous scarring

What’s the First Step?

To get started with buccal fat pad removal in San Francisco, you will first attend a private consultation with Dr. Block-Wheeler and his knowledgeable team. This first visit entails an in-depth discussion of your surgical goals, a detailed response to all your questions, and information on the risks, downtime, costs, and other details of the procedure.

Once the doctor has approved your candidacy, you will receive a few simple instructions to follow prior to your appointment. If you smoke, you will need to quit at least 4 to 6 weeks before and after buccal fat pad removal. Additionally, you should stop eating and drinking at midnight on the night before your surgery. Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after the procedure and spend the night with you, and make sure to fill all prescriptions ahead of time.

What to Expect on the Day of Buccal Fat Pad Removal Surgery

On the day of your procedure, we will greet you warmly and invite you into our state-of-the-art facility in San Francisco. After briefly reviewing your surgical plan, we will administer local anesthesia to ensure that your aesthetic journey is painless and stress-free. The entire procedure usually takes 45 to 60 minutes.

Once you are resting peacefully, Dr. Block-Wheeler will make tiny incisions on the inside of the cheek, allowing him to access the buccal fat pads for adjustment. He will meticulously remove just the right amount of fat to enhance the facial shape without making you look overly gaunt. Once all changes have been completed, the doctor will seal your incisions with sutures and place you in the recovery area for monitoring until it is safe for you to return home.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal Recovery

After buccal fat pad removal in San Francisco, patients usually need around one week of downtime. At first, your face may appear swollen, and you may experience soreness on the insides of the cheeks. Temporary postoperative swelling may make it seem like your cheeks have gotten even bigger. However, with time, a more sculpted, slim, and angular midface appearance will gradually emerge.

In the early stages of your recovery, the doctor will ask you to eat softer foods to help prevent irritation around the incisions. You will have access to oral pain medications to help alleviate any tenderness. You can also use an ice pack on the outside of the cheeks. If any questions or concerns arise, Dr. Block-Wheeler will respond promptly and continue to support your recovery long after you leave the office.

How Much Does Buccal Fat Pad Removal Cost in San Francisco, CA?

The cost of buccal pad removal in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area may vary, depending on the extent of your concerns, the specific techniques Dr. Block-Wheeler uses, and whether your treatment is combined with other aesthetic options. The best way to receive a personalized, all-inclusive quote is to meet with Dr. Block-Wheeler and his team for a private consultation in California.

Our Ethos

Why Choose The Block-Wheeler Clinic?

The Block-Wheeler Clinic is a world-class destination in San Francisco, CA, for discerning patients seeking exemplary care and natural-looking, customized results. Dr. Nikolas Block-Wheeler, a dual-trained surgeon specializing in otolaryngology (ENT) and facial plastic surgery, has extensive expertise in the delicate field of facial contouring, making him the ideal choice for your buccal fat pad removal procedure in the Bay Area. Dr. Block-Wheeler prioritizes safety, integrity, and aesthetic excellence, ensuring your journey is seamless and rewarding.