Buccal Fat Removal Pre-Op Instructions
There are a couple things you would like you to avoid before your procedure. We would like you to stop all blood thinning medications and over-the-counter supplements. These include Advil, Aleve, aspirin, ibuprofen, vitamin E, and fish oil. A link to the list of blood thinners and herbal supplements to avoid is available in the description here: Medications & Supplements to Avoid
- Avoiding Alcohol & Caffeine – We would also like you to stop all alcohol intake one week prior to your procedure, and two days prior to your procedure, no caffeine.
- Prescriptions For Procedure – We will be prescribing you three medications. One is an antibiotic to prevent infection. And two are pain medications. Please bring them the day of the procedure as you will go through them with a nurse and take them with a nurse present.
Days of Procedure
- Arriving For Surgery – Please remember to arrive on time for your surgery.
- Come With A Clean Face, No Makeup – Please come with a clean face and no jewelry or on the face or neck.
- Can I Eat Before My Procedure? – This procedure is done with a local anesthetic, meaning that you may have a light breakfast or lunch before your check in time.
- Bring Your Prescriptions Day Of Procedure – Please remember to bring the prescriptions that were called into your pharmacy so we can administer them to you prior to the procedure. Please do not take any before.
Post-Op Instructions
- Icing – For the first three days, please ice over the cheek area. 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
- Suture Care After Buccal Fat Removal – Sutures should dissolve on their own in about 1 to 2 weeks. For cleaning purposes, you can use mouthwash to rinse your mouth.
- Sleeping Elevated To Reduce Swelling – You can expect to be swollen for 3 to 7 days. Sleep elevated using two pillows to help reduce swelling.
- What to Avoid After Your Procedure – After your procedure, please still avoid blood thinning medications for another two weeks. Alcohol for one more week and caffeine for two more days.
- Please avoid eating sharp foods such as chips, hard candies, etc.
- Please avoid exercise for the first ten days.
- Please avoid foods with high salt content for one week.