BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL | how long until I see my final result? REAL Surgery Results in 3D over time
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- čas přidán 14. 06. 2024
- Buccal fat pad removal, also known as #bichectomy, is an increasingly popular minimally-invasive surgical procedure wherein a fat pad inside the cheek is removed or reduced through a small incision inside the mouth. The procedure is well-tolerated, typically performed awake, and provides a subtle but observable #contour improvement in the #midface. Perhaps more than other procedures, individual results may vary, but overall, they are subtle. Patient satisfaction remains very high and Dr. Zelken has yet to encounter a patient he treated that wishes to have the procedure reversed. See Gallery at the zelkeninstitute.com/gallery/ and navigate to face, then cheek reduction.
Still, one of the most challenging aspects of buccal fat pad removal is its unpredictability in cosmetic impact and recovery time. Because Dr. #Zelken does not require a CT scan or MRI of the head, there is some element of surprise as to how big each patients’ fat pads are, and there is often a volume difference from one side to the other. But overall, buccal fat pads are surprisingly consistent in volume across genders, races, age groups and BMI categories.
The average resection specimen is 4-5 cc, but ranges from 3-8 cc in the past 200 patients treated at the Zelken Institute for Aesthetic Medicine. Still, Dr. Zelken believe size does not necessarily matter. It seems that the volume of the buccal fat pad specimen is not the best predictor of the effect of #buccalfatremoval #surgery. Dr. Zelken believes that the position and mobility of the fat pad with the cheek has greater bearing on its cosmetic impact than its volume. Size also does not seem to impact when the final result can be expected after surgery.
If volume is not the only factor or even the main factor, then how do we answer the age-old question: “how long until I see my final result?” Of course, the answer varies as much as the patient, his or her expectations, and the operation. After all, surgery causes swelling; excessive bleeding, prolonged operative time, a history of prior surgery, and patient tendencies to bruise or swell are expected to impact how quickly (A) one looks normal, and (B) one looks great after bichectomy.
To answer this question more thoughtfully and systematically than the knee-jerk “6 months”, Dr. Zelken evaluated a series of patients who underwent buccal fat pad removal as a standalone procedure with a 3D camera (#Vectra H2) and software capable of measuring and tracking volumetric changes. In this informal study, Dr. Zelken observed 3 broad recovery patterns:
1) The “Wolverine”. Wolverines recovered very quickly, and volumetric changes seen at one month did not change drastically thereafter. These patients typically had thin skin, a technically straightforward operation, and followed postoperative instructions religiously. About 40% of patients fell into this category.
2) The “Late Bloomer”. Late bloomers may have recovered quickly, but volumetric changes were not so evident at the one-month follow-up appointment; by 2-3 months, changes began to become more evident in two-dimensional and three-dimensional photos. Between 3 and 6 months, there was a significant improvement in this group of patients. Late bloomers tend to have thicker or oily, acne-prone skin, broader cheeks, lead active lifestyles or underwent a technically challenging operation. About 40% of patients are late bloomers.
3) The “Splitter”. Some patients were Wolverines on one side and late bloomers on the other. Discrepancies may be explained due to one side being more difficult than the other, existing facial asymmetries, or postoperative conditions such as sleeping on one side habitually. By 6 months, volume reduction was symmetric on both sides. About 20% of patients demonstrated asymmetric recoveries.
In other words, despite a more systematic review, the answer remains the same: 6 months. By six months, there is a measurable reduction in volume in the midface in most patients undergoing buccal fat pad removal at the Zelken Institute for Aesthetic Medicine. It is possible that further change may occur after 6 months, and Dr. Zelken will continue to study this. Of course, weight change, fillers, organic facial aging, and other facial surgical procedures are expected to impact recovery and long-term results.
Please note: This informal study is not peer-reviewed and represents the opinion of Dr. Zelken. Many patients travel to the Zelken Institute for surgery, lack long-term follow-up, and these preliminary findings represent a small subset of a larger population. Indeed, there is no long-term data that exists to Dr. Zelken’s knowledge, but he firmly maintains that buccal fat pad removal should not accelerate facial #aging.
I got this done last year and saw my final results around 7 months later (was very chubby still in the first 6 months). I wasn't convinced at first and was wondering if I had wasted my money, but it was totally worth the wait. I'm happy with the results.
Do u have any before and after pics u wouldn't mind sharing?? Via email or something??
@@user-ji9vl9lg9i Mm 🤔 Send me your email and we can talk.
You can visit our onlike gallery at www.zelkenmd.com@@user-ji9vl9lg9i
I had mine done two weeks ago with jawline liposuction but I don't see no results at all. Infact my face looks chubby as before. Is that something to worry about?
@@salehhussain1140Any progress?
I love that beautiful green background Dr Zelkin!!
It's been 2 months and 4 days now since I've got mine done. My face was swollen for about a week, and after that, I noticed that my cheeks were less chubby from certain angles. Currently, I would say the surgery was a success as my cheeks have become less chubby. I can't really tell much difference from then to now, though. So, I do hope my cheeks will continue to get slimmer over time, as my cheeks are still quite chubby, especially from certain angles and lighting.
Incredible technology! So cool
Had this done 2 weeks ago. Can't wait until I see the full results. I am slowly seeing the difference already
Very cool, keep us posted
Thank you for the video!
Wow, amazing video
Great video, very informative!
Thank you!
Awesome video.
Thanks Sterling
I’m 3 weeks post op and people start saying if I did something to my hair lol my face is looking slightly different yay so excited to see the final results!!
That’s the best
Hi! Thanks for the video. I have asymmetry before and after bichectomy. My left side is bigger than right and this includes bone, muscle and subcutaneus fat I think.
Is it possible to reduce the left side with accutite? subcutaneous fat at least
Im 10 days post op with some really noticeable asymmetry, thanks for putting me at ease a bit!
*really* noticeable asymmetry may not be normal- you may wish to discuss with your surgeon
Cool!!
Thank you for this! It is very reassuring as I am 3 weeks post op today and one side is noticeably slimmer than the other. Would the final results vary if a bigger fat pad was taken out on one side than the other?
I really can’t answer not having done the surgery- what are your surgeons thoughts?
Great video and I understand you were talking about when to expect final results but may I ask at what week would you say a patient is healed enough to not look like they have had something done?
Maybe 1 week
all the people tell me i was loosing weight but im not I' loosing fat just on the face on the body no. What happen this maybr you can do a video about this
I recently had this procedure. I was surprised by how small the fat pads where when I saw them on the table afterwards. Do they generally “deflate” after they are removed? I think that’s what the assistant said, but I’m concerned not a lot was taken out?
I hear this often when we show patients the fat pads. They do look underwhelming. The fat pads are roughly the size of your index finger from your PIP joint (second knuckle from tip) to the tip.
My fat pads were massive!
I had my procedure done a week and a half ago. My cheeks are sore and I can't open my mouth all the way so eating and brushing my teeth have been a challenge. I haven't seen anything that addresses the inflammation caused by buccal fat removal. My lymphatic drainage massage therapist told me it's my body's way of protecting itself from further injury.
This is not a normal response. Have you discussed this with your surgeon?
@@jonathanzelkenmd yes, he said it's a secondary irritation of the masseter muscle and could take a couple of weeks to subside. Today is week 2, it's a little better so we'll see what happens in another week.
Hello I did buccal fat removal 7 months ago and I still see no results
Did your surgeon show you what was removed? Im not too surprised either way- the result can sometimes be quite subtle.
I have 72 kg but i am very skinyy on my face why ?? I can find an explanation can you explain this ?
Everyone stores fat differently :)
@@jonathanzelkenmd im not diabetic but i have ozempic but im afraid do IT for the reaction. What You sugedted me?