Cheek Reduction Surgery in Mumbai, India

What is Cheek Reduction Surgery?

Cheek Reduction Surgery a.k.a. Buccal Fat removal is a simple operation to eliminate extra fat pad lodged in between the cheekbones and jaw bones and turn the chubby, fuller cheeks to a more defined, slimmer, and chiseled look. By removal of buccal fat, the facial bone structures can get highlighted, especially the cheekbones and the scooped-out portions between the cheeks and jawline. This type of plastic surgery is done to improve the facial shape, keep the facial proportions in balance, and the facial features in harmony, and maintain facial symmetry. It is a highly personalized approach owing to the variation in the size of the buccal fat pad that is unique to every individual and even different for both cheeks of the same person. It is performed by the expert plastic surgeon in Mumbai Dr. Parag Telang at Designer Bodyz. The surgery is mostly demanded by celebrities, actresses, or models who want beautiful and elegant-looking faces.

Indications for Cheek Reduction Surgery

Increased facial volume; Full or chubby cheeks because of naturally-occurring excess buccal fat pads.

Ideal Candidates for Cheek Reduction Surgery in Mumbai

Physically fit individuals having stable body weight but dislike the appearance of their fuller cheeks.
People with broad cheek areas have realistic expectations and goals from the results of the surgery.
Adults, irrespective of their gender, race, and ethnicity, who wish to have prominent cheekbones and slimmer faces.
Non-smokers.

Cheek reduction surgery is not recommended for anyone having a narrow, thin face or those who are very old as buccal fat naturally diminishes with age. To know if one is an ideal candidate for cheek reduction surgery in Mumbai book a visit now at Designer Bodyz.

Pre-requisites for Cheek Reduction Surgery

To prepare for Cheek Reduction Surgery, the candidate may be asked to:

Get lab testing or a medical evaluation done.
Stop smoking for 4 weeks before the surgery and even afterward the surgery.
Take certain prescribed medications or adjust/discontinue the current intake of medications.
Do not eat or drink 6-8 hours before the surgery.
Avoid the intake of blood thinners including aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements.
Avoid alcohol consumption for at least 2 days before the surgery.
On the day of the surgery, come with a clean face without applying any facial cosmetic products.
Arrange a caretaker/driver to drive to and from home and stay for at least the first night after the surgery (if general anesthesia/intravenous sedation is being provided).

What to Expect?

Prior to the surgery, the candidate must meet the surgeon. During the initial consultation, the healthcare provider examines the candidate thoroughly and clicks photographs of the candidate’s face. Furthermore, a discussion is held regarding the family or personal health history and any earlier plastic surgeries undergone by the candidate. The candidates must inform the provider about their basic health and current intake of medications/supplements. Any questions in the candidate’s mind regarding the surgery will be addressed by the provider. The provider would explain what the procedure entails, give recommendations tailored to the specific goals of the candidate, and even discuss the benefits/risks of the procedure.

The surgery involves the following steps:

Providing anesthesia- The candidate’s facial skin is usually numbed with a local anesthetic to ensure comfort throughout the surgery. However, if multiple procedures are to be performed at the same time, the candidate may be provided with general anesthesia or intravenous sedation, as the anaesthesiologist suggests.
Making incision- A small cut (about 1-1.5 cm) is made in the inside of the mouth (specifically in the mucous membrane) or the inner cheek portion of both sides of the face to get access to the buccal fat pad. Through the excision, the buccal fat pads are gently pressed to expose more of them and then cut and removed from the cheeks. The bleeding is meticulously controlled at this time. If the buccal fat is removed during a facelift, there is no need for making such an incision.
Closing the incision- Once the extra buccal fat pad is removed, the intraoral incisions are closed with absorbable sutures. As the entire procedure is conducted inside the patient’s mouth, there is no need to cover the surgical site with bandages and there is no noticeable facial scarring.

Following the surgery, the candidate can normally expect to experience slight bruising, swelling, and numbness at the incision sites which gradually resolves as the body heals. The swelling usually dissipates in 4 months. The healing is over usually about three weeks. Final results can be noticed after several months and they are affected by significant weight gain or loss. However, every candidate may experience a different timeline of recovery. Some may have a gradual recovery while some may recover fast.

Post-surgical care/Post-treatment instructions for Cheek Reduction Surgery

Stay on a liquid diet for 1-2 days or longer and gradually shift to a soft diet as the provider allows.
Take care of the surgical sites as instructed by the surgeon.
Take prescribed oral or topical medications including painkillers to alleviate discomfort and special mouth rinse or antibiotics to reduce the risk of infections and aid in healing.
Sleep with the head raised and sit on a comfortable reclining chair.
Do not forget to reschedule appointments for follow-ups with the surgeon.
Resume normal routine activities and work after 2-3 days.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for a month.
Do not indulge in any strenuous physical activities for a week.

Frequently Asked Question

Can I undergo other procedures along with cheek reduction surgery?

Yes, buccal fat removal can be performed in combination with procedures like cheek fillers, rhinoplasty, facelift, and neck liposuction.

Are the results permanent?

The results last for lot many years (maybe a lifetime) when the candidate maintains a healthy lifestyle.

Is it safe?

Cheek reduction surgery in Mumbai performed by Dr. Parag Telang at Designer Bodyz is generally a safe procedure. However, some of the risks linked to buccal fat removal surgery include:

Infection at the surgical/incision site showing signs such as the skin being red, hot to touch, or pus-filled and fever.
Prolonged swelling
Hematoma
Seroma (fluid accumulation)
Excessive bleeding
Numbness or changes in sensation
Facial Asymmetry
Injury to facial nerves leading to weakened muscles and/or injury to salivary duct resulting in abnormal taste inside the mouth
Suboptimal results indicate the need for revision cheek reduction surgery
Abnormal heartbeat, shortness of breath, or chest pain (rarely seen).

The possibility of experiencing any of the above-mentioned risks or discomfort is only when the candidate undergoes treatment with a novice or inexperienced plastic/cosmetic surgeon. The risks occur rarely if the candidate chooses an expert surgeon and goes ahead with the procedure at an accredited, well-equipped surgical or aesthetic center.

What is the average cost of cheek reduction surgery?

The actual cost depends upon several factors including:

The location where surgery is performed.
The expertise and experience of the plastic surgeon.
Length and involvement of the surgery.
Patient’s profile: It includes the extent of the concern faced by the candidates, the type of surgery they require according to their desire and expectations, and even facial structure, the goal of the surgery, and overall health status.
The charges of anesthesia/ anaesthesiologist.
The prescribed medications.

As cheek reduction is considered cosmetic surgery, most health insurance plans do not cover its cost, but many surgeons do offer their patients financing and payment plans.

To know more about cheek reduction surgery cost in Mumbai, consult now with Dr. Parag Telang to know more.

How long does the cheek reduction surgery last?

Cheek reduction is a minimally-invasive surgery generally carried out under local anesthesia. It can take about 30 minutes to complete the surgery.

To get a slimmer and youthful-looking face, book a visit now with Dr. Parag Telang, a face cosmetic surgeon in Mumbai at Designer Bodyz.