Buccal fat removal is the beauty procedure that promises a more sculpted appearance – but is it really worth it? Here’s why some plastic surgeons refuse to perform the trendy procedure.
In 2021, Chrissy Teigen shared that she had undergone a cosmetic procedure that is increasing in popularity: Buccal Fat Pad removal. Teigen is one of the few celebrities who has admitted to having the procedure, but theories about other celebrities who have done the same thing abound.
Chrissy Teigen takes to Instagram to reveal she’s had Buccal Fat Removal done by Dr. Jason Diamond. pic.twitter.com/aJNoPrYdzf
— The Cosmetic Lane (@TheCosmeticLane) September 13, 2021
So what exactly is Buccal Fat Pad removal – and why do some plastic surgeons refuse to perform the procedure?
What is Buccal Fat Pad Removal?
Buccal fat removal, Buccal Fat Pad removal or Bichectomy involves removing the fat in the lower part of the cheek to give the face a more “sculpted” appearance. The fat itself is removed from the inside of the cheek and the whole thing takes about 30 minutes.
Buccal Fat Pad removal is often touted as a simple procedure, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely risk-free. Dr. Smita Ramanadham, a plastic surgeon operating in New Jersey in the USA, tells InStyle that there are risks associated with buccal fat removal – including long-term swelling, temporary or permanent weakness of facial muscles, fluid retention, numbness and infections.
The plastic surgeon: “Wouldn’t recommend it”
However, it’s not just potential side effects that make many experts skeptical of Buccal Fat Pad removal. Consultant plastic surgeon Dr Tunc Tiryaki, working at the Cadogan Clinic in London, is one of those who refuse to perform the procedure.
He believes that it is “an incorrect treatment” for those who want to achieve a more sculpted appearance:
“[Det] doesn’t create definition, it just creates a void between the cheek and the jawline,” he explains to Brits Independent.
He also believes that the procedure can give the impression of accelerating the aging process – which is due to the fact that the cheeks naturally lose fat and collagen as we get older:
“As we age, we lose volume in the cheeks,” he says. “So the patients start to look very thin, almost like ghosts. I would not recommend Buccal Fat Pad removal to a patient trying to shape their face.”
