Buccal Fat Removal

You should not feel any pain during a Birmingham Buccal Fat Removal as we administer topical and local injection anesthesia to all our patients. For patients with increased anxiety or concerns regarding discomfort, additional measures such as Nitrous Oxide (“laughing gas”) and/or oral sedation can be implemented. When all is said and done, your comfort is our priority. Once the anesthesia wears off, you will likely experience some mild to moderate swelling, soreness, and discomfort. However, our team will ensure you have all the information you need to alleviate any pain. Healing will continue for several weeks as swelling decreases, and final results are appreciated by 2-4 months after surgery. Following Dr. Raggio’s carefully curated post-operative instructions will ensure you experience a smooth and uncomplicated recovery process.

You can expect your Buccal Fat Removal procedure to be completed in one surgical appointment. A series of follow-up appointments, likely at 1 week, 1 month, and 4 months, will also be scheduled so that Dr. Raggio can monitor your healing and progress. The follow-up appointments are your opportunity to share your healing experience and your initial thoughts on your surgery. The amount of follow-ups will be determined during the consultation session according to your treatment plan and what Dr. Raggio estimates will be required following your surgery. 

The final results of Buccal Fat Removal in Birmingham will be initially obscured by swelling. It can take several weeks to a few months to see the final results as your cheeks gradually contour to their new appearance. The cheeks should appear less full or chubby in the final post-op results. By adhering to the post-operative guidelines laid out by Dr. Raggio and his team, you will ensure a smooth healing process leading to your desired outcome for this procedure.

There are a number of possible cosmetic surgical procedures you can potentially combine with a Buccal Fat Removal surgery. Talk through your options and goals with Dr. Raggio during your consultation, so he can give you an idea of what procedures are safe and effective in combination.

You might want to consider adding a Facelift or a Neck lift to your Buccal Fat Removal, giving your face and decolletage a complete refresh.

For patients interested in facial slimming, a complete result can be achieved with the addition of cheek filler, jawline filler, submental liposuction, and radiofrequency microneedling.  Oftentimes, multiple procedures can be performed in one setting, and when Dr. Raggio gives you the green light, our patient care coordinator can create a custom quote and inform you accordingly.

With any plastic surgery procedure, there is a potential to experience risks and side effects. The mark of a great doctor is their ability to effectively communicate these risks with their patient. Dr, Raggio’s utmost priority is the safety and satisfaction of his patients, and he will take the time to discuss the risks in great detail with you.

Potential risks associated with a Buccal Fat Removal procedure include: 

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Injury to your saliva duct
• Damage to branches of the facial nerve 
• Muscle weakness
• Asymmetry
• Numbness at the incision site
• Temporary or Persistent pain
• Poor healing of incisions
• Possibility of needing revisional surgery
• Prolonged swelling
• Less than satisfactory aesthetic results 

During your consultation, you will have the chance to share any concerns you may have about risks or side effects with Dr. Raggio. He will put your mind at ease and enable you to make an informed decision. Your safety and satisfaction is our primary concern.

While many plastic surgery practices offer treatments in all parts of the body, we take a different approach. At Raggio MD, we offer highly specialized treatments focused exclusively on one area: the face. We believe that this singular, undistracted focus is what creates true mastery of the field. Dr. Raggio’s passion and extensive experience in Facial Plastic Surgery guarantee that we provide unparalleled results. At Raggio MD we focus all of our energy and expertise on facial procedures, ensuring that we do perform them at their highest level. Because Face is all we do, we can honestly say that we do it best.

We give the patient a 100% honest evaluation of their concerns and goals. Having the full range of surgical and non-surgical treatments allows us to develop a plan without the potential for treatment bias. During consultation visits, Dr. Raggio will present his recommendation(s) and arm patients with the necessary knowledge to make an educated decision about their treatment. The theme that permeates every appointment: “The patient comes first.”

Raggio MD produces top-level Buccal Fat Removal results without compromise. Dr. Raggio prides himself on being a perfectionist and tailors an individualized treatment plan for each patient. He believes that no two surgical cases are identical and that outstanding results demand precision, attention to detail, and an appreciation for beauty.