The Buccal fat removal procedure is meant to remove the buccal fat pad, which is located in the cheek, to give the face a more contoured and chiseled look. It narrows down the bottom section of the face and attracts attention to the cheekbones, making the jawline look defined. However, successful results for this procedure require proper post-op care during the recovery process. One question that is on the mind of many who want to go for this procedure is “When will I see my chiseled cheeks?” To answer this question, we need to break down the buccal fat removal recovery timeline. Keep reading to find out when you can expect the final results of your procedure to appear.
✨ Understanding the Science Behind the Swelling
As with all types of surgeries, bruising and swelling are normal after one goes through the BFR (buccal fat removal) procedure. You will need to take a few days to a week off from your work to wait for the swelling to get better. The main reason for the swelling is the body’s response to inflammation, as the procedure involves causing trauma to the tissue. The way this natural healing process of the body works is that the trauma, as a result of the procedure, causes an influx of excess nutrients and blood fluids. The main reason for this is to kick-start the body’s healing response.
The swelling can also mask the results of this procedure. While the surgeon removes the fat pads to make the face look narrow, the swelling can puff up the face. If you’re wondering, “When will I see results?” The answer is that the results will only reveal themselves when the swelling dies down.
🔴 The swelling is the worst in the initial 24 hours after surgery. You can expect swelling to slowly reduce and eventually completely subside by week two.
📅 Your Week-by-Week Buccal Fat Removal Recovery Timeline
The patient can return home after their surgery on the same day. Here is a detailed breakdown of the recovery of this facial contouring surgery:
Phase 1: The Immediate Aftermath (Days 1-3)
The first few days of recovery after the buccal fat removal surgery are when you will experience a lot of swelling, tightness, and overall discomfort in your face. Applying a cold compress can help. Furthermore, you should only eat soft food so you don’t have to move your mouth to chew and risk hurting the incision area.
Phase 2: The Turning Point (Week 1-2)
By this point, the swelling will begin to decrease. There might be some tightness, but by week 2, you will begin to see your new sculpted face. You can also shift toward eating some solid but still soft foods like scrambled eggs, etc.
After week 1, you can also start some light exercises, but nothing too extreme. One thing to note is that the first 2 weeks are still too early to expect the full results to appear.
Phase 3: The First Glimpse (Weeks 3-4)
By this point, most of the swelling will subside. This is when you can see your chiseled results more clearly. Wherever puffiness is left, it won’t be as obvious. You can also return to your routine diet. Furthermore, you can also go back to working out, but with more care to not strain yourself too much.
Phase 4: Settling In (Months 1-3)
You can expect 85 to 90 % of the swelling to subside between months 1 to 3. Apart from feeling just a little swollen, the definition in your face becomes clearer. You might feel some numbness in the incision site. And there might be a slightly tight feeling inside the mouth. Remember, the changes will be gradual, which is why you should be patient and trust the process.
Phase 5: The Final Result (Month 6+)
Now that the swelling is entirely gone, the cheek sculpting surgery’s results are final. You will now be able to see how sculpted your face has become after the surgery. At this time, you will be able to enjoy the full results of your buccal fat removal surgery.
🩺 How to Support Your Healing and Reveal Your Results Sooner
Here are some effective tips you can adopt to support and speed up your healing after the surgery.
- To begin with, the patient should follow the post-op care protocols provided by their doctor.
- Patience is key. The results are not instant. Just the swelling alone takes weeks to completely subside and show the results.
- Eating hard foods can hurt the incision. Hence, the patient should opt for softer food throughout the first week after the surgery. This can include foods like yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc.
- During the first few days post-surgery, you can apply a cold compress to help with the swelling.
- Do not engage in any strenuous activity for about 2 weeks after the surgery to protect your face from strain and injury.
- Keep your head elevated when sleeping so the swelling stays minimal and your healing happens faster.
- Keep yourself hydrated, avoid salty foods, and opt for healthy and nutrient-rich foods for easy recovery.
👨⚕️ Here is Why Your Surgeon’s Skill Impacts Your Timeline
The surgeon’s expertise is crucial to achieving safe and satisfactory results after a buccal fat removal surgery. Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli is one of the most skilled surgeons in Turkiye. He has the skill to perform the surgery in a way that the trauma is minimal and the recovery is as comfortable as possible.
When you book Dr. Cengizhan Ekizceli, you can enjoy all-inclusive services. These include transport services, accommodation in a luxury hotel, access to translators, extensive after-care, and treatment under the top medical experts in Turkiye.
Do you want to chat with Dr. Cengizhan? Whether you have questions regarding the Buccal fat removal surgery or are interested in getting any other facial or body surgeries, you can book your consultation here.
