Buccal Fat Removal in Barranquilla, Facial Definition
I remove the fat pads from the cheeks to slim the middle third and better define the cheekbone and the jawline. It’s a subtle and permanent change, and that’s why I only do it when it truly suits you. I’m Dr. Boris Henríquez, plastic surgeon, with more than 26 years of experience in Barranquilla.
What Is Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal is the surgery in which I partially remove the buccal fat pads: pockets of fat we all have between the cheek and the masseter muscle. When they are large, they give the face a rounded look that does not change no matter how much you diet or exercise.
By reducing them, the cheek loses volume and the cheekbone and the jawline gain definition. I work from inside the mouth, so no visible scar is left on your face. I remove only a part: taking out too much ages the face over the years.
Who Is a Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?
Buccal fat removal is permanent and not everyone needs it. On a thin face it can do more harm than good as time goes by. These are the points I go over with you to know whether it is your moment:
How do you know if you are a good candidate?
Minimum age with complete facial development
Generally 16 to 18 years old; before that the cartilage and bone keep growing and the result can vary.
Realistic, well-defined goals
The patient understands which changes are possible given their anatomy and which are not.
Non-smoker, or willing to quit tobacco
Smoking affects healing and increases complications.
Good general health
No decompensated cardiovascular disease, clotting disorders or active infections.
Valid reasons that are your own
The decision comes from the patient, not from outside pressure from a partner, family or social circle.
Availability for the recovery period
Enough time to follow the rest period, the check-ups and the specific care instructions.
Who Is a Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?
Minimum age with complete facial development
Generally 16 to 18 years old; before that the cartilage and bone keep growing and the result can vary.
Realistic, well-defined goals
The patient understands which changes are possible given their anatomy and which are not.
Non-smoker, or willing to quit tobacco
Smoking affects healing and increases complications.
Good general health
No decompensated cardiovascular disease, clotting disorders or active infections.
Valid reasons that are your own
The decision comes from the patient, not from outside pressure from a partner, family or social circle.
Availability for the recovery period
Enough time to follow the rest period, the check-ups and the specific care instructions.
What Changes with Your Buccal Fat Removal
The effect of buccal fat removal is specific: it slims one particular area of the face, and that makes other areas stand out more. This is what changes:
Cheeks
Midface
Submalar area
Cheekbone definition
Jawline contour
Facial oval
Your Process: 4 Stages of Your Buccal Fat Removal
Consultation for Your Face
It all starts with a calm conversation. I review the proportion of your facial thirds, the actual amount of fat you have and how your face is going to age. Here we decide whether buccal fat removal adds to you or takes away from you.
Pre-Surgical Preparation
I give you written instructions for the days beforehand and I review your health history and the medications you take. We also talk about oral hygiene, which matters because I work from inside your mouth.
The Surgery
I make a small incision on the inner side of each cheek, identify the buccal fat pad and remove only the portion that fits your case. I close with stitches that dissolve on their own.
Follow-Up Visits and Monitoring
I see you at scheduled check-ups to review the internal healing and to accompany you while the swelling goes down, which is the part that makes patients most impatient.
What to Expect from Your Buccal Fat Removal: Day by Day
First 48 hours – Swelling at Its Peak
Your cheeks look more swollen than before surgery. That is what we expect and it is unsettling for everyone, so I warn you about it from the consultation: this is not the result.
First week – The Swelling Starts to Ease
It goes down gradually and your face starts to look like yours again. A soft diet and the mouth rinses are key during these days.
First Weeks — Back to Your Routine
Most patients get back to their normal life within a few days. Some swelling remains that only you notice, and the mouth finishes healing on the inside.
The Months After — Final Result
The real refinement appears gradually, not from one day to the next. Be patient: this is a surgery whose result is judged over time, not in the first week.
Post-Op Care Specific
to Buccal Fat Removal
Since I work from inside the mouth, almost all the aftercare has to do with eating and hygiene. These are my instructions:
Results
Results Gallery: Before and After of Buccal Fat Removal
Cases of my own patients who authorized the use of their images. Every face starts from a different structure and a different amount of fat, so these cases are a general reference and not a promise of results.
Permanent Result
The fat I remove does not grow back. That is why the decision has to be made calmly and with good judgment, not because it is a trend.
No Visible Scar
The entire surgery is done from inside the mouth. No mark is left on your face.
Gradual Change
The refinement appears as the swelling goes down, over the course of several weeks. Don’t judge it too soon.
What Buccal Fat Removal Does Not Do
It does not correct a double chin, it does not define the jawline on its own, it does not slim the whole face and it does not replace losing weight. It works on a very specific area.
Frequently Asked Questions about Buccal Fat Removal
Book your Buccal Fat Removal Consultation with Dr. Boris Henríquez in Barranquilla
Taking the first step is easy: a calm consultation, with no commitment. I look at the proportions of your face, how much fat you actually have and how your face is going to age, and I tell you honestly whether buccal fat removal is right for you or not.
At the end you receive a proposal designed only for your case and a written quote. You can book your appointment through WhatsApp or the contact form.
