Across social media, many users, primarily younger women, are buzzing about a plastic surgery technique called buccal fat removal. While the procedure is simple and has been around for years, it’s grown in popularity for those drawn to the look of a narrow, angled facial structure.
The surgery, which is done under local anesthesia, involves incisions being made in the back of the mouth so some of the fat in the cheek area can be removed. It is nearly impossible to reverse, causing some concern among experts.
Dr. Ira Savetsky, a plastic surgeon in New York City, told CBS News that he has seen an increase in patients requesting the “irreversible” procedure, which is called a bichetomy.
“The interest in the buccal fat pad really just stems from people’s sort of obsession with having a really defined and countered jaw line,” Savetsky said. “And I think that’s all driven from social media. In this era of selfies and just photos in general … people really started to notice, more than ever, their jawline, and buccal fat is something that is very intriguing to people.”
The surgery is purely cosmetic and does not have any medical benefits, but some people are better candidates for it than others, said Dr. Rod Rohrich, a Dallas-based plastic surgeon.
“In about one in 10 patients that come to me for buccal fat removal is (the procedure) really indicated,” Rohrich said. “Basically, it’s fat in front of the jawline… If you bite down and pucker, if (your cheeks are still) full, then you are a candidate for buccal fat removal, but most people aren’t.”
