Buccal fat removal is a plastic surgery procedure that is usually associated with minimal post surgical swelling /downtime in most of the patients.In very small number of patients ( aprox 5-10%) patients could develop significant swelling that could last several days ( 3- 5 days). Significant swelling usually happens when the buccal fat is very "stuck" and therefore difficult to remove. In some other patients the significant swelling is random even if the buccal fat was very easy to remove.In my practice, the patients that develop significant swelling after the procedure are highly recommended to continue doing ice packs on the face. They are also recommended anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen after 48 h post surgery (taken before this time could cause bruising). Also they are refrained from any exercising or eating hot temperature food since these activities increases the swelling. Patients with questions and concern about their post surgical buccal fat removal swelling should contact the plastic surgeon that performed the procedure to address these concerns and determine if there is need any need of management
