What happens before the Buccal Fat Removal treatment?
Prior to booking the procedure. you will have a full consultation with the Doctor and Nurses to ensure that you are physically healthy and a suitable candidate for the Buccal Fat Removal procedure. A consent form with all side effects, risks and benefits will also be explained and provided.
You must avoid blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin and anti-inflammatory pills, for at least one week before the surgery. If you’re seeing a medical specialist for any health conditions, please seek their opinion about your fitness for this procedure.
You must fast on the day of the procedure. You are able to eat dinner as usual the night before, then you must stop drinking fluids at midnight. On the morning of the procedure you can take a small sip of water to take your pre-surgery medication.
Alcohol should be avoided for at least 24-hours before the surgery. Smokers must quit prior to surgery. Smoking and illicit drug use must be strictly avoided before the procedure. We take smoking very seriously as a high risk for any procedure, so you must be aware of the cancellation policy if you smoke. Smoking increases the risk of some serious complications during and after surgery. Ideally, you should stop smoking at least 8-weeks prior to a procedure, cutting down does not reduce the risk of complications, however, the greatest health benefit is gained by quitting smoking for good. More information about the possible complications, as well as information about how to quit, is available here.
An information package will be given to you covering medications, blood tests and other pre-procedure instructions. You should commence antibiotics the night before and wash in an antiseptic solution the morning of the procedure, including your hair.
A blood test must be undertaken at least 1-week before the procedure.
What happens during the Buccal Fat Removal treatment?
You must be on time for your procedure. This means being at the clinic at least half an hour before the start time. Your nurse will perform an extensive admission procedure before admitting you to our fully licensed surgery.
Patients who have reflux should continue their anti-reflux medication. Most medications should be continued other than blood-thinning medications. Check with the doctor before the procedure and the nurse on the day of the procedure.
Important: If you’ve been smoking in the last 2-weeks, the procedure will be canceled and payment won’t be refunded.
Photographs will be taken before you change into a surgical gown. In the theatre, a small drip will be inserted. If you are uncomfortable with needles, numbing cream can be applied to the back of the hand prior to the drip being inserted. Please ask the nurse beforehand. Also, a pre-operative relaxant can be prescribed.
Full monitoring equipment will be used, including a heart rate and oxygen level monitor. You will receive sedation and will go into varying degrees of sleep. You should not recall any of the procedure.
What happens after the Buccal Fat Removal treatment?
You must be picked up by a competent adult who can assist you at home for the first night. Usually, you can expect to be in and out of the surgery in 2-3 hours. You must be fully recovered before leaving. Please inform your nurse if you suffer from nausea after anaesthetic.
Immediately after the procedure, swelling may occur and last for up to 10 days and since all incisions are made inside the mouth, wound care is not necessary. The stitches should dissolve completely in 6 to 7 days. In order to prevent any complications and speed up the recovery process, a liquid diet is recommended for a week post-surgery. Most patients can return to work within 2-3 days following on from the procedure.
