Everyone’s Talking About Buccal Fat Removal Surgery, But WTF Is It?

Let’s talk about buccal fat removal. Hollywood has kept this trend under wraps for years, but now, the internet is abuzz with news of the surgery, which many have dubbed the hottest (and, potentially, most elusive) fad of 2022. Chrissy Teigen is just one celeb who’s sported a new look, which she confirmed to be the results of buccal fat removal surgery in 2021. 

The surgery process basically involves removing a pad of fat from the cheeks. From the post-surgery pics fans have seen of Teigen, the effects of buccal fat removal are pretty apparent. The overall outcome of the surgery is a more chiseled, sharply-defined face. 

The procedure is sparking major controversy online. Some Twitter users are quick to criticize the surgery for making its patients look “gaunt” and unnatural. Others have taken the rising popularity of buccal fat removal as an opportunity to reemphasize the harmful psychological effects of cosmetic surgery. According to those Twitter users, cosmetic surgery like buccal fat removal promotes skinny-centric beauty standards. TikTok users say buccal fat removal reaffirms these beauty standards, and the long-term effects may not be worth undergoing the procedure.

On the opposite end of the argument, many TikTok users have also shared their personal success stories with buccal fat removal surgery. Some also reaffirm that what a person chooses to do to their body — cosmetic procedures included — is their own choice. 

So, what is this mysterious procedure that’s stirring up so many reactions? And what exactly does it do? 

What is buccal fat removal surgery?

Let’s start with the basics. As Independent explains, buccal fat removal involves cosmetic surgeons removing a strip of flesh from the area between the patient’s cheekbones and jawline. According to Cleveland Clinic, surgeons have to go through the patient’s mouth to extract the fat. As a result, the patient’s face may appear slimmer, with their cheekbones lifted and hollowed out. 

Is buccal fat removal surgery safe?

The short answer is, according to Healthline, buccal fat removal surgery is generally safe. Still, as Healthline warns potential candidates, there’s the possibility of experiencing side effects like lockjaw, bleeding, and more. Healthline also advises older patients, patients with thinner faces, and patients with Parry-Romberg syndrome to reconsider getting the treatment. The best thing you can do is talk to your doctor about whether the surgery would be safe for you. 

Should I get buccal fat removal surgery?

Whether or not to undergo buccal fat removal surgery is a big decision — and one that you have to make for yourself with your doctor. Experts have had mixed reactions to the procedure, including notable plastic surgeon Dr. Ira Savetsky. Savetsky told The Daily Beast that the effects of the buccal fat removal surgery are “almost irreversible.” Basically, Dr. Savetsky says, reinserting the removed buccal fat into the face is “very, very difficult” for patients who want to reverse their treatment. These patients, as Savetsky added, are typically unhappy with how gaunt the surgery has made them look as they grow older, prompting them to return to their cosmetic surgeon. Dr. Stafford Broumand shared a similar reservation with the New York Post, stating the skin will begin to sag as the patient ages due to the lack of fat and collagen. 

Still, you shouldn’t feel ashamed for considering or going through with the buccal fat removal procedure. Only you and your doctor have the authority to make the choice. In the end, you should do what feels best for you. 

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