“Good Personality” is something that helps build confidence, allowing us to live more effectively. Especially for women, having a beautifully shaped face as dreamed of is one of the important motivations that fill every day with energy to create good things. Currently, one of the most common concerns many women have about their faces is having cheeks that are too full or large, making the face appear big and causing a loss of confidence. This problem can be effectively resolved with cheek fat removal surgery, showing visible results immediately.
What is cheek fat and why does everyone have different amounts?
“Cheek fat” is a component of the human body, characterized as a specific fat pad located in the cheeks. We all have it from birth, but its size varies from person to person. Cheek fat can increase or decrease through eating habits, but how much it changes depends on each individual’s body and cannot be precisely determined. Some people may be slim with a normal weight but still have a lot of cheek fat, making their face appear large. Conversely, some people may have a higher body weight but not much cheek fat, resulting in a proportionate and well-shaped face despite a fuller body. Therefore, if you want a slim and beautiful face shape, desire a V-shaped face, or want to reduce cheek fullness, cheek fat removal surgery is a definite and clear option that can be visibly proven right after the procedure.
What is the procedure for cheek fat removal surgery?
Currently, with advanced medical technology combined with the specialized surgical expertise of doctors, cheek fat removal surgery is safe and does not cause pain as it did in the past. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia applied to the mucous membrane under the upper molar teeth, meaning the surgery is done inside the mouth, so there are no external scars. The surgical steps are as follows:
- The doctor injects local anesthesia inside the mouth on the cheek area to be operated on.
- A 1-centimeter incision is made.
- Using special forceps, the cheek fat is removed without using suction needles like in abdominal or other body fat suction procedures. The amount of fat removed is about 2-3 CC, roughly equivalent to one round fish ball, which is enough to noticeably slim the face.
- The incision is closed with dissolvable stitches, and the wound is cleaned thoroughly.
How to take care of yourself after cheek fat removal surgery?
After completing cheek fat removal surgery, the following self-care precautions should be observed:
- You can eat immediately after surgery but should avoid hot foods and spicy or strongly flavored foods.
- Be careful when chewing and opening your mouth to prevent inflammation.
- When brushing your teeth, be cautious not to let the toothbrush touch the wound, as impact may cause injury, inflammation, and slow healing.
In cheek fat removal surgery, a common complication is “bleeding.” For those with bleeding disorders, this can be dangerous. Some patients may have residual blood causing cheek swelling or even infection, which can be serious. Therefore, after surgery, it is necessary to be cautious by applying ice to stop bleeding for at least 3 days and regularly follow up with the doctor. Generally, within about 2 weeks, healing begins, and the results are clearly visible with reduced cheek fullness. The wound will fully heal within approximately 3 months.
Are there other methods if you choose not to have cheek fat removal surgery?
In reality, even if you have cheek fat removed to achieve a beautifully shaped face, if you do not control your eating habits properly, your cheeks can become larger again. Therefore, to maintain a suitable cheek size, if you decide not to undergo cheek fat removal surgery, controlling your eating behavior is the best method. Another option, “meso fat injections”, has not been medically approved. Compared to the results, cheek fat removal surgery provides faster, clearer results with much less pain.
Dr. Naparat Jirawatthanapholin
Specialist in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Ear, Nose, and Throat Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital
