Does everyone have the same size of buccal fat?

Question

I got mine removed 2 weeks ago and the removed fat pads I saw were really small that I wonder if it was enough amount of buccal fat removed. Could my fat pads be specifically “smaller”, or everyone has the same size of buccal fat pad? Thanks a lot.

Omar Lazos, MD · Answer

Factors that influence results are: amount of buccal fat pad removed (average amount is 3 cc, the size of a chestnut), healing process, wound retraction, overall tissue (amount of facial muscle and skin). The results start to show after the swelling begins to fade away, usually at1-month post op and the end results at 3 months postop.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Treatment of ‘chubby cheeks’ cannot be achieved alone with buccal fat pad removal; a fact that I encounter time and time again when seeing patients in consultation for lower facial sculpting. My approach is to use a combined protocol that redefines aesthetic contours of the face. This includes the following: 
  
 
  
Buccal Fat Pad Removal 
  Non-surgical Muscle-Fascia Tightening
  Venus Legacy or Venus Viva
  Ultherapy
  Submental Liposuction or Coolsculpting
   
  
The combined approach is ideal. Buccal fat pad removal is a exceptional procedure that can remove excess fat from the cheek pads. Using an intraoral approach, a small incision is carried through the mucosa to remove a small fat pad within the cheek. Closure of the incisions is minimal with an absorbable suture and patients will experience some swelling post-operatively. We use SwellX tablets post treatment. Once healed, the contour of the cheek is improved and we begin Non-invasive tissue tightening to further enhance results. 
  
 
  
Best, 
  
Dr. Karamanoukian
  
Realself100 Surgeon

Clayton Crantford, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Not everyone has the same amount of buccal fat and not every surgeon removes the same amount of buccal fat. Depending on your anatomy you may have required less tissue removed or you may have not had very much to begin with. I hope this helps with your question.

John Mesa, MD · Answer

No every body have the same buccal fat pads size. Some patients have very large buccal fat pads ( usually those with gigantic chubby cheeks). Some patients have very small buccal fat pads ( usually very think skinny people with low body fat or normal low body weight). Int he majority of patients, the buccal fat pads are of medium size, at least on my practice.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Buccal fat size varies from person to person.  Interestingly, in some patients, the buccal fat does not shrink with weight loss since it is a distinct fat pouch.  Best Dr. Anil Shah

Ali Riza Öreroglu, MD · Answer

Everyone does not have the same size of buccal fat, yours may be smaller than other people's. Also it might be the choice of your surgeon to remove that amount fat during the operation.

Hope this helps,Ali Rıza Öreroğlu, MD FEBOPRASEuropean and Turkish Board Certified Aesthetic, Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeonIstanbul, Turkey

Soon Woo Choi, MD · Answer

Hello from View Plastic Surgery in Korea.
Everyone has different size of buccal fat. Yours may be smaller than average people.

Regards,

Does everyone have the same size of buccal fat?

Answers (7)

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