What is the recovery time for Buccal Fat Removal by local anesthesia? How long will my face be swollen for?

Question

will my face be swollen a lot & look really puffy? and how long would i have to eat liquid foods? trying to prepare myself & how long i would have to be off work or not be able to talk correctly? will being swollen impact talking? thanks

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

Local anesthesia in the office is how I do this.  Typically you look swollen for 12-24 hours, though often you already look better than before the procedure even immediately at the end!  Liquid foods are not necessary at any point, you should be able to speak normally within 10-15 minutes of the procedures,  and it shouldn't hurt much at all.

Work restrictions depend upon what you do, but, if you are not doing heavy physical labor (lifting boxes, for example, or climbing stairs a lot) you can be back at work an hour later (if you wanted).

People drive themselves in and out, and feel fine.

Best regards!  Watch our videos to learn more.

Hagen Schumacher, PhD, FRCS(Plast), FEBOPRAS · Answer

Hello,
Thank you for your enquiry.
Your cheeks can be swollen for about 4 months but most of the swelling goes down early on. After 6 weeks, it is not very noticeable.
I would recommend liquid food for 5-7 days.
Speech is normally not affected to a significant degree.
It might be advisable to take about 4 days off work if done under a general anaesthetic.
I would suggest to confirm this with your surgeon.

Leyla Arvas, MD · Answer

Hello, buccal fat removal is an intraoral operation. Liquid food intake is recommended for about 1 week. If there is no intraoral infection, the edema will pass within 1 week. The time when the result is fully visible is after 1 month.

Michael P. Morrissette, DDS, FACS · Answer

The swelling from removal of the buccal fat pad is similar to the removal of wisdom teeth. There is typically 3-5 days of initial swelling. You may need to eat soft food for 1-2 days. If the procedure is performed on a Thursday or Friday you should be able to return to work the following Monday. Speech is usually unaffected.

Akshay Sanan, MD, FACS · Answer

Dear swtbbygrl,
Great question. Recovery for buccal fat removal under local is 24-48 hours. Your cheek may be sore from the surgery. You'll be on a modified diet for a week. You'll be able to talk fine. You can go back to work the following day or you can take up to a week off. It depends on what you do for work. Your cheek contour will be immediately improved, and then you'll be swollen for about a couple weeks. Cheek definition starts improving once swelling goes away.
All the best,Dr. Sanan, MDFacial Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

What is the recovery time for Buccal Fat Removal by local anesthesia? How long will my face be swollen for?

Answers (7)

Answer: Buccal fat pad reduction

Answer: Buccal fat pad reduction

Answer: Short recovery time

Answer: Short recovery time

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Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

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What is the recovery time for Buccal Fat Removal by local anesthesia? How long will my face be swollen for?

Answers (7)

Answer: Buccal fat pad reduction

Answer: Buccal fat pad reduction

Answer: Short recovery time

Answer: Short recovery time

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Buccal Fat Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.