Buccal fat reduction (aka bichectomy) involves slimming your facial appearance by removing excess stubborn fat in the cheek area. At Smith Cosmetic Surgery in Denver, Dr. Cory Bovenzi frequently performs buccal fat removal, helping to contour and shape the face. Our office is not far from a number of popular attractions, including the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Denver Zoo, and Coors Field. Call Smith Cosmetic at (303) 741-2211 or reach out to us online to set up your personalized consultation.
This procedure is beneficial for patients who have puffy “chipmunk cheeks” that do not change with weight loss/gain. It can also be beneficial for facial feminization for both women who want a more feminine appearance of transgender patients looking for a softer appearance in the midface area.
Buccal fat reduction is also a common adjunctive surgery for facelift candidates. While facelift surgery can elevate the muscles that have fallen with time and gravity, sometimes there is buccal fat that has descended that can only be treated with a buccal fat reduction. A classic example of someone who would have benefitted from this type of buccal fat reduction was Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as she had a sizable amount of buccal fat that descended into her prejowl area.
Our term for the procedure, “Buccal Fat Reduction,” is intentional—we do not remove all of the buccal fat, just reduce it to get rid of the excess. In this manner, we avoid anyone having the gaunt appearance of an overaggressive and overdone surgery in this area. The goal is to have a natural facial contour such that the cheekbones are the widest part of the midface that gently contours down to the jawline.
Similar to the deep necklift, buccal fat reduction is a potential treatment option for patients of a wide range of ages. This is because buccal fat hypertrophy (excess buccal fat) is highly genetic and is usually present from young adulthood or earlier. Buccal fat herniation and descent is more age-related but luckily can be treated with the same type of procedure.
Dr. Cory Bovenzi is board-certified in otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) and has performed more than 5,000 facial procedures. This makes him uniquely qualified to give Denver patients the high-quality buccal fat reduction results they deserve.
Dr. Bovenzi is board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ABOHNS) and the American Board of Medical Specialties.
Dr. Bovenzi began his journey in medicine in Philadelphia at Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson Hospital. There, he earned his MD, graduating in the top 1% of his class.
He pursued his residency at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, followed by a coveted facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the Emory University School of Medicine.
Since then, Dr. Bovenzi has become a top choice for facial plastic and reconstructive surgery in Denver, especially complex cases. He has authored numerous articles published in national medical journals, delivered lectures at medical conferences, and has privileges at Littleton Adventist Hospital in Littleton, CO, and at Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver, CO.
Dr. Bovenzi performs buccal fat removal at our Denver facility’s fully accredited surgical suite. This state-of-the-art suite is ideal for patients seeking privacy and comfort.
Patients traveling to our Denver facility for buccal fat reduction may be interested in visiting the Littleton Museum. This museum offers a look into the art, history, and culture of Littleton, CO. For avid golfers, we’re also not far from the South Suburban Golf Course, with 18 holes, a driving range, and delicious casual fare at the South Suburban Bar & Grill.
Your buccal fat removal consultation will take place at our Denver facility, conveniently located near Highlands Ranch Mansion and Historic Park. This beautiful estate is ideal for visiting patients and offers tours, community events, and more. We’re also not far from Cherry Creek State Park, the perfect choice for hikers, campers, picnickers, and many other outdoor recreation options.
Your personalized consultation allows you to go over your buccal fat reduction goals with Dr. Bovenzi. He will ask you questions about your medical history, perform a detailed examination of your facial features, and take photographs as needed. He may also perform advanced computer imaging to provide a preview of your potential results.
Buccal fat reduction is performed at our Denver office. For out-of-town patients, we’re not far from a number of hotels. These include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver Tech Center, The Inverness Denver, Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, and Denver Marriott Tech Center.
Buccal fat reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure where you can go home the same day. This procedure is done via a small incision on the inside of the mouth. Once Dr. Bovenzi creates this tiny incision, he gently presses on the fat pad to make it more accessible.
He then uses a scalpel to carefully remove fat from the pad. Typically, a walnut-sized amount of fatty tissue is removed. Finally, he closes the incision with dissolvable sutures and then addresses the other cheek.
Buccal fat reduction is performed at our Denver office. For out-of-town patients, we’re not far from a number of hotels. These include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Denver Tech Center, The Inverness Denver, Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center, and Denver Marriott Tech Center.
Buccal fat reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure where you can go home the same day. This procedure is done via a small incision on the inside of the mouth. Once Dr. Bovenzi creates this tiny incision, he gently presses on the fat pad to make it more accessible.
He then uses a scalpel to carefully remove fat from the pad. Typically, a walnut-sized amount of fatty tissue is removed. Finally, he closes the incision with dissolvable sutures and then addresses the other cheek.
Because of the small internal incisions in the mouth created during buccal fat reduction, there is only a very small risk of external bruising or other telltale signs of surgery besides some minor swelling. In this way, patients are able to return to work and their social life very quickly. We still advise limiting any strenuous exercise for a few weeks to allow the tissues to properly heal.
To help reduce post-surgical bruising and swelling, it’s best to keep your head elevated at all times during recovery. Applying cold compresses to the outside of the jaw can also be beneficial. Incisions may feel numb or sore for a time, but this will fade.
After surgery, you are prescribed an antibiotic pill as well as a mouthwash to use to prevent any infection, as well as pain medication to use only if needed.1 The sutures used on the inside of the mouth are dissolvable so they are not required to be removed afterwards. For best results, we advise patients to stick to a liquid diet immediately after surgery and gradually introduce softer foods as your incisions heal to ensure comfort and allow proper healing.
During buccal fat reduction recovery, you’ll return to Smith Cosmetic Surgery for follow-ups. You’ll meet with Dr. Bovenzi, who will examine your incisions to ensure that they’re healing properly without any complications. He will also check on the quality of your results and clear you for various activities as healing progresses.
After a follow-up appointment for buccal fat reduction, patients frequently visit one of Denver’s popular coffee shops. We’re not far from spots like Little Owl, The Molecule Effect, Queen City Collective Coffee, Rivers and Roads, The Weathervane Cafe, and Huckleberry Roasters.
Generally, total recovery takes around three weeks. After all swelling has faded and your face has adjusted to its new contours, you’ll be able to enjoy your full results. Typically, patients can see their final buccal fat removal results in around two months.
1Nwagu, Uche & Bovenzi, Cory & Yan, Brian & Krein, Howard & Heffelfinger, Ryan. (2020). Opioid Prescribing Practices for Postoperative Patients in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 10.13140/RG.2.2.14791.47526.
The cost of buccal fat removal in Denver varies from patient to patient. Price may be impacted by factors like the amount of tissue removed, total surgical time, anesthesia fees, and the specific techniques utilized. Financing is also available through CareCredit, ensuring that patients from all walks of life can pay for procedures.
If you think you may be a candidate for a buccal fat reduction or have more questions about the procedure, please reach out to set up a complimentary consultation with Dr. Bovenzi. Call (303) 741-2211 or fill out our contact form to arrange your consultation at our Denver office, which has minimal signage and is quite discreet. We’re not far from Centennial Airport and the Holly Park Pool and Tennis Center.
Thanks to Dr. Bovenzi’s vast experience, the likelihood of buccal fat reduction complications is quite low. Potential buccal fat removal risks include bleeding, infections, hematomas, seromas, numbness, prolonged swelling, asymmetry, and salivary duct trauma. Other potential issues include incision-healing issues, nerve injuries, and DVTs.
Dr. Bovenzi ensures patient comfort during buccal fat removal in Denver. Local anesthesia with sedation may be used to prevent any pain or discomfort. After the surgery, pain medication will be prescribed to use if needed.
Buccal fat reduction can be paired with a number of other facial plastic surgery procedures. These can include facelifts, chin augmentation, rhinoplasty, and facial liposuction. By focusing on multiple areas of the face, this approach can provide more comprehensive results.
