Cheek fat reduction - Buccal fat removal
Buccal fat pad reduction (also called Bichat's fat pad) is not a common facial cosmetic surgery procedure performed to slim the cheeks or face. You should never remove all the fat. See our interview below. The procedure is not without the possibility of complications such as bleeding and other tissue damage and therefore the indication must be very strong before proceeding with the surgery.
Some patients have a very full and round face, partly from large buccal fat pads. The buccal fat pad is a large unit of mass in the temple region, cheek region and back of the upper jaw. The fat is localized by making several small incisions on the inside of the cheek. The amount of fat to be removed is determined and removed. This is important as it seals the blood vessels and prevents bleeding that can be problematic in the area. After the fat has been removed, the small incisions are closed with self-dissolving sutures.
Recovery is usually 3-5 days and some patients swell significantly while others do not. Although the results are immediately noticeable, the final result will not be evident until several weeks later, when all the swelling is gone. This procedure will generally result in a slimming of the cheeks in the area lateral to the nostril and corner of the mouth.
Before the operation
You must be healthy on the day of the operation. If you are in any doubt about whether you have a cold or similar, please contact us. The operation is not performed if you have flu with fever, cough or other infection in the body. Before the operation, you will receive a prescription for antibiotics, painkillers if necessary and Hibiscrub solution 40 mg/ml, which you can buy at the pharmacy.
The day before surgery and on the day of the operation, wash your entire body with Hibiscrub solution in the shower. This is a disinfectant soap that should be rinsed off with water and the skin dried with a clean towel. Put on clean clothes when you leave home. Do not use perfume and lotion. All jewelry, piercings and nail polish must be removed no later than the day before the operation and replaced 7 to 10 days after the operation.
For the best possible result and to avoid complications, it is recommended that you have your normal weight and not an excessively high BMI. If you smoke, or practice nicotine such as snuff or electronic cigarettes, you must quit at least 2 weeks before surgery and 2 weeks after surgery.
You should come to the surgery fasting. This means that you should not eat any food including fruit, juice with pulp and dairy products 6 hours before the operation, and you should not drink water, juice, milk, juice without pulp or coffee, chew gum/drops/throat lozenges up to 4 hours before the operation. Oral medications that you may need to take on the day of surgery can be swallowed with 1 glass of water up to 100 ml up to 1 hour before the start of anesthesia/attendance.
You must arrange in advance with a person to pick you up at the clinic about 1 hour after the end of the operation, as you cannot drive yourself, take public transport or taxi alone.
It is important that you stop taking blood-thinning medication about 14 days before the operation, preferably in consultation with your GP or us. For other medications, consult the clinic before the operation. You should also avoid eating a lot of garlic and health food preparations.
On the day of surgery
You will be received by our staff who will prepare you for the operation before the surgeon sees you. Before the actual procedure, the surgeon will go through the procedure, draw up the plan and answer any questions you may have. Anesthesia staff will also come and greet you and answer your questions. When the operation is about to begin, the surgical nurse will pick you up and clean the operating area while the anesthesia staff give you a sedative in your arm so you sleep under surgery. In addition, the surgeon will administer a local anesthetic in the operating area for a long-lasting analgesic effect in the operating area after the operation, which also reduces bleeding in the area.
After the operation, you will be moved to the recovery room where you will have your own bed. You will then rest for 1-2 hours and be served food and plenty of drink in the form of sandwiches, yogurt and juice (remember to inform about allergies). Painkillers may be given if necessary.
The surgeon will check on you before your return home/hotel stay and you will be cleared by anesthesia staff before you go home with an adult companion. The PVK attached to your hand will be removed before you leave. A car or taxi must be used as a means of transportation immediately after surgery, we do not recommend public transport or walking.
After the operation
All patients come for a post-operative check-up the day after surgery. We recommend that you do not travel by air for the first 48 hours after surgery. During this time, a follow-up appointment will be arranged at the clinic and you should come to the clinic the day after the surgery.
In the first few hours after the operation, you may feel a little tired and sometimes a little nauseous. It's important that you take painkillers as prescribed and as needed, and make sure you drink plenty of fluids during the first 24 hours. Some people may feel a little dizzy, so it's a good idea to take a few minutes to stand up. For the first two days, you should rest and lie as still as possible. For the next five days, you can move around gently. If you have an active job, it's a good idea to stay at home.
The final result can only be assessed after 3-6 months. Follow-up checks are arranged with the clinic; the day after surgery, after 1-2 weeks and 3-6 months, as well as a final check after a year. You must call to arrange the check-ups yourself, or alternatively make an appointment with the clinic on the day of the operation.
Bleeding and infection are uncommon and in very few cases require reoperation and/or antibiotic treatment. Anesthetic complications, such as allergic reaction to anesthetics, are extremely rare.
If correction is necessary due to complications or unsatisfactory results, this will be done free of charge within one year, provided there is a medical indication and a clear potential for improvement. This is our guarantee period.
Pick-up and accommodation
You must arrange in advance for someone to pick you up at the clinic about 1 hour after the operation, as you cannot drive, take public transport or a taxi on your own. You must also have someone with you the same day and the first night.
If you live far from the clinic, we recommend that you stay overnight in Oslo, either with family/friends or at a hotel.
Hotels in the vicinity of Oslo Plastikkirurgi;
Hotel Gabels Hus in Gabelsgate 16.
Frogner House Apartments, Bygdøy Allé 53.
(We have an agreement with Frogner House Apartments, please inform us when booking a room).
Ask for guidance and advice
We can give you the best advice face to face. We will guide you to the best solution for you.
The doctor in charge is Dr. Amin Kalaaji, senior consultant dr.med, specialist in plastic surgery and head of the clinic at Oslo Plastikkirurgi, and head of the Norwegian Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (NFEP) 2018-2020.
Dr. Kalaaji holds many positions and gives lectures and training around the world. This benefits all our patients as he is always up to date on the latest and most advanced treatments and surgical techniques.
Patient safety, high quality and individual treatment are always our top priorities at Oslo Plastikkirurgi.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
Oslo Plastic Surgery answers frequently asked questions here, and we hope this provides you with good information. We want to be helpful in the process before a surgery. If you have any further questions, just write or call us.
For those who have very specific unhealthy fat distribution over the middle of the face, which is not generalized fat throughout the face.