Buccal Fat Removal in Albuquerque, NM
Buccal fat is the excess fat in cheeks that is located between facial muscles. Dr. Tuggle performs buccal fat removals every day, and he often pairs the procedure with facelifts.
The Procedure – What to Expect
Once you are comfortable under local or IV sedation, Dr. Tuggle goes through your mouth to make a small incision in the inner cheek to remove the buccal fat. He isolates the buccal fat pad which is not attached to the muscles and extracts its fat. Next, he uses dissolvable sutures to seal the wound. Dr. Tuggle will send you home with a chin strap for support.
Does a buccal fat removal hurt?
No. We administer the anesthesia of your choice to ensure you are comfortable the entire time. During the recovery phase, you may experience slight soreness and swelling but nothing that you can’t manage with pain medications prescribed by Dr. Tuggle. He’ll also provide you with a head band strap and a medicated mouthwash to prevent infection.
Advantages of Buccal Fat Removal
- No scarring
- Permanent results
- Quick treatment
- Minimal downtime
- More mature look, less baby face
Am I a good candidate for buccal fat removal?
Buccal fat removal will give you a slim and contoured profile. A buccal fat removal will not help if you are more than twenty pounds overweight, if you have overdeveloped jaw muscles, or if you already have a very thin face. We suggest you come in for a consultation in which Dr. Tuggle will review your medical charts and evaluate your facial structure.
How fast will I see results?
Due to the significant swelling caused by the surgery, your face will most likely remain full for a couple weeks. And it may take three to six months for you to see real results as your skins settles into place.
Buccal Fat Removal Aftercare
- Have ice packs on hand to aid in minimizing swelling and discomfort. We recommend you apply ice packs throughout the day for 3 days and drink plenty of ice water.
- Stick to a soft, cool, non-spicy diet the first 24 hours while the incisions in your cheeks heal.
- Continue to wear the chin strap at night for the first two weeks.
Contact Dr. Tuggle to discuss your unique needs and a treatment plan that can be tailored to your goals. We make every effort to spend ample time with each patient to answer questions, including those about risks, benefits, costs, and financing.
