Is Buccal Fat Removal Painful?

During the procedure, you will be pain-free as you will receive local anesthesia. Post-surgery, you may feel some minor pain and soreness, which should decrease within the first week or two. We recommend you use over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs for pain relief. Pain medication can be prescribed by Dr. Familusi and should be taken as recommended.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

You will only require one surgical appointment; however, you will need to return to our office for a check-up with Dr. Familusi so that she can monitor your recovery process and remove any bandages. While every patient will have a different recovery, you can expect a few more follow-up appointments over the next few months, as per Dr. Familusi’s advice and notice.

How Long Until I See Results?

While you can notice the difference right after surgery, your final results will become evident only once the swelling has resolved. You will have an initial drop in swelling during the first few weeks as the face heals from the surgery. On average, it will take two to four months for the swelling to fully subside.

Can I Combine a Buccal Fat Removal with Other Procedures?

Absolutely, you can! Many of our patients who have received buccal fat removal in Atlanta combine their treatment with other facial contouring procedures, such as a facelift , chin augmentation , or even BOTOX . To find out which procedure will be best for you, surgical or non-surgical, please mention your aesthetic goals to Dr. Familusi during your consultation.

What Are the Risks Associated with a Buccal Fat Removal?

A buccal fat pad removal is very safe when performed by a skilled surgeon such as Dr. Familusi. Nevertheless, it is still a surgery, and surgeries come with associated risks. Some of the risks of getting a buccal fat removal in Atlanta are outlined below: Asymmetry Fluid Accumulation (seroma) Hematoma Injury to branches of the facial nerve (temporary or permanent facial muscle weakness) Numbness or other changes in sensation Salivary Duct Injury Suboptimal aesthetic results and/or minimal changes If you are concerned or worried about your experience at any point during your recovery, please do not hesitate to call us.

Atlanta, GA

Buccal Fat Pad Removal

Introduction to Buccal Fat Pad Removal

Prominent buccal fat pads can create a seemingly wide or overly youthful face, upsetting the natural balance among the features. Buccal fat removal, performed with precision and subtlety by board-eligible plastic surgeon Dr. Olatomide (Tomi) Familusi in Atlanta, GA, creates a more sculpted, sophisticated profile that appeals to the “V-shape” facial contour desired by some patients. Dr. Familusi’s compassionate, thoughtful approach immediately sets patients at ease as they embark on their unique aesthetic journey toward a more elegant, streamlined appearance.

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What is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal Fat Removal, medically known as Bichectomy, is a popular plastic surgery procedure that targets the removal of the buccal fat pad. The buccal fat pad is a collection of adipose tissue under each cheekbone. As a result of the removal of this pad, the lower face loses its cushion and volume, giving the appearance of a more defined face and jawline. Thus, after this surgery, patients achieve a more chiseled lower face, highlighting their newly contoured high cheekbones – a feature in high demand in beauty standards.

What Are the Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal?

Some of the significant benefits our patients who have received buccal fat removal in Atlanta have seen from their treatment include:

Boost in self-esteem
Improve the definition of the jawline
Increase facial harmony
No visible scarring
Reduce excessive cheek fullness
V-shaped lower face

Who Are The Best Candidates For Buccal Fat Removal?

You could be a great candidate for Buccal Fat Removal in the Atlanta area if you have no chronic health conditions and some of the following characteristics:

Stable weight
Maintain realistic expectations
Non-smoker
Not pregnant or breastfeeding
No underlying medical conditions

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Let’s Get Started

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting a buccal fat pad removal surgery in Sandy Springs and the greater Atlanta area is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Familusi to see if this procedure will give you the results you desire. During your appointment, Dr. Familusi will discuss your medical history, aesthetic goals for buccal fat pad removal, concerns, and expectations to gauge if they are realistic.

Next, Dr. Famulisi will draw up her exact plan for surgery. If you’re comfortable with her recommendations our patient coordinator will discuss pricing, financing, pre-op instructions, and dates for surgery.

*We recommend that patients follow the provided instructions for the best possible outcome of the surgery and the most comfortable recovery.

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What to Expect on the Day of Buccal Fat Removal Surgery

On the day of your buccal fat pad removal, Dr. Familusi and her team will welcome you to the office and make sure you are well-settled in one of the state-of-the-art procedure rooms. She will recap the treatment plan in case of any outlying questions and/or concerns. Finally, Dr. Familusi will administer local anesthesia to keep you pain-free during the procedure. Additional oral sedation medication can be provided to keep you calm and comfortable.

Once sedated, your mouth will be safely propped open to access your inner cheeks. Dr. Familusi will pull your cheek back and make a tiny incision right under the cheekbone area to target the buccal fat pad. She will then manipulate the pad by gently pushing it out of its natural pocket. Once the adipose tissue is extracted, Dr. Familusi will stitch the incision with dissolvable sutures.

The entire procedure usually takes under one hour.

Buccal Fat Removal Recovery

After surgery, you will be monitored before being discharged home. For your utmost safety, you are encouraged to have a friend or relative provide you with a ride home.

After surgery, patients can expect to experience mild swelling and soreness. The swelling and soreness usually abate in a few days, but some patients consider taking it easy for an entire week. Cold compresses and pain medication are common to ease patients through this phase.

During recovery, it’s important not to bite down on the cheek area so the incision can properly heal and the sutures can dissolve. We also recommend that patients do not use their mouths more than necessary.

Your swelling will continue to subside, and your results will be seen as early as two to four weeks post-surgery and progressively improve for several months thereafter.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal Cost

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost In Atlanta, GA

The cost of Buccal Fat Removal in the greater Atlanta area is around $3,750 to $4,500. The final cost will depend on multiple factors, including the techniques used, the complexity of your case, the anesthesia fees, and surgeon fees. The best way to arrive at a final cost for your procedure is to consult with Dr. Olatomide Familusi. After making your procedure plan, our Patient Coordinator will be able to provide you with a complete breakdown of the total price.

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Why Choose Dr. Familusi?

Board-eligible plastic surgeon Dr. Olatomide (Tomi) Familusi believes in providing our patients with a physiologically and psychologically transformative experience. She takes her job’s impact very seriously. “Elevated hospitality with unmatched results” has become the mantra for our entire Élevé Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery team because our primary goal is to provide our patients with a top-tier experience centered on hospitality with every procedure we provide.

Dr. Familusi strives to produce beautiful, natural-looking results for patients all over the Atlanta area. Plastic surgery is a deeply personal choice, which is why Dr. Familusi and our team are committed to being by your side every step of the way and beyond.

For these and many more reasons you will experience, schedule your consultation for your buccal fat pad removal in Atlanta at Élevé Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery today.

Buccal Fat Pad Removal FAQ’S

During the procedure, you will be pain-free as you will receive local anesthesia. Post-surgery, you may feel some minor pain and soreness, which should decrease within the first week or two. We recommend you use over-the-counter pain medication and ice packs for pain relief. Pain medication can be prescribed by Dr. Familusi and should be taken as recommended.
You will only require one surgical appointment; however, you will need to return to our office for a check-up with Dr. Familusi so that she can monitor your recovery process and remove any bandages. While every patient will have a different recovery, you can expect a few more follow-up appointments over the next few months, as per Dr. Familusi’s advice and notice.
Absolutely, you can! Many of our patients who have received buccal fat removal in Atlanta combine their treatment with other facial contouring procedures, such as a facelift, chin augmentation, or even BOTOX. To find out which procedure will be best for you, surgical or non-surgical, please mention your aesthetic goals to Dr. Familusi during your consultation.
A buccal fat pad removal is very safe when performed by a skilled surgeon such as Dr. Familusi. Nevertheless, it is still a surgery, and surgeries come with associated risks. Some of the risks of getting a buccal fat removal in Atlanta are outlined below:
- Asymmetry
- Fluid Accumulation (seroma)
- Hematoma
- Injury to branches of the facial nerve (temporary or permanent facial muscle weakness)
- Numbness or other changes in sensation
- Salivary Duct Injury
- Suboptimal aesthetic results and/or minimal changes
If you are concerned or worried about your experience at any point during your recovery, please do not hesitate to call us.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re looking for a more elegant facial structure with the appearance of higher cheekbones, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Familusi for buccal fat pad removal in Atlanta. Please call our office or use the form on our contact page to inquire, and our patient concierge will get back to you as soon as possible.

Schedule a Consultation

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