Facial Slimming, resection of bags of Bichat

When a face looks very wide or round, this can be due to accumulation of fat in the cheeks.  
The fatty bag of Bichat is an accumulation of fat located between the masseter muscle and the buccinator muscle to both sides of the face. These two muscles that allow the mastication movements need of a fatty pad of lubrication that is the bag of Bichat. Although all the people possess them, in some cases these fatty cushions are developed in an exaggerated way giving a too round and swollen face as a result. It becomes necessary then to carry out a weigh loss through the reduction of the bags of Bichat.

The volume of this fat is not necessarily related with the corporal weight, and it is for this reason that many thin people can present an extended and thick face that doesn't correspond to its corporal weight. The facial slimming through the resection of the bags of Bichat reduces the volume of the cheeks offering an aspect of more character, healthiness and naturalness.

Frequent Questions:

¿ Am I a candidate to a facial slimming?
If you feel that you posses some of the characteristics mentioned previously, it is possible that you need a resection of bags of Bichat. Nevertheless, is your medical facial surgeon who can determine exactly what a type of procedures you need and are adjusted to your particular requirements.
When going to the medical consultation with Dr. Espinosa, you can analyze detailedly what part of your face you want to change, and through a photographic study by computer, evaluate the possible modifications and approach to the results. In this initial consultation the surgeon will be able to recommend the technique that is adapted better to your particular circumstance. By means of a visual exam your doctor will determine if you need a facial slimming and how other procedures could optimize the results. All modification that is carried out in the face should be carefully studied to not affect the natural expression. As for this area of the face, it will be necessary to study if the patient needs a facial slimming or maybe really needs a projection of the cheekbones through a malarplasty of augment, or a treatment of the area of the neck. It is only across a detailed visual exam that the doctor can diagnose the procedure accomplished wisely.  

¿How is carried out this surgery and what type of anesthesia
is used?

This surgery is carried out by means of two intraoral incisions (inside the mouth), very small, for what there are not visible scars.
This procedure is carried out in an ambulatory way and generally, with local anesthesia when it is an unique intervention. When goes accompanied of other procedures, it is possible that people choose the general anesthesia.
After a careful evaluation and diagnostic, Dr. Espinosa will establish the type of procedures that you need and if the anesthesia will be general or local. In this type of surgical intervention are used the last methods of anesthesia like the intravenous sedation that allows the patient to be awake during the surgery, without any pain and absolutely calm. The anesthetic technique that is prescribed will be under the supervision and monitor of a professional anesthesiologist during the whole time that the procedure lasts. Both types of anesthesia are equally safe and in the two cases nothing is perceived during the intervention, the patient wakes up as soon as finished the operation, feeling well and without pain. 
One of the causing reasons of more anguish can be the topic of the anesthesia. The protocols of our clinic allow us to offer you the biggest security. During your initial consultation, Dr. Jorge Alberto Espinosa Reyes requests a series of laboratory exams to evaluate your physical state, he fulfill a complete clinical history and analyzes the patient's antecedents to help to prevent any possible complication.

Once concluded the surgery, you will pass to our room of post -anesthetic care where you will be supervised and controlled for personal competent. Later on you will be passed to a recovery room adapted especially to the patient's necessities. Dr. Espinosa will wait your complete recovery to prescribe you the appropriate medication and to give you the authorization to exit from clinic. You should have a person of all your trust that helps you to move back to home and takes care of you at least the first post surgery day.

¿How long will I be on surgery room?

The surgery of facial slimming can have a duration of 30 min to one hour and a half hour. If additionally to the resection of bags of Bichat you decide to carry out some other intervention, the time could vary.

¿What can I expect after the surgery?

Once finished the intervention you will wake up calm and without pain. It is possible that after some hours you have some nuisances that can be controlled with the formulated medications. You will be able to feel something of inflammation in the cheeks and you will feel your face a little swelled which is totally normal. . It is important that you plan with time the day of your surgery and have to your side a person of your whole trust that helps you to get back home and take care of you at least your first post - surgery day.  It is recommended to be in bed with the head lifted with the purpose of diminishing the inflammation.
Dr. Espinosa accustoms to prescribe a mouthwash to help with cleanliness and to prevent any infection. As the suture has been intraoral it will be reabsorbed by itself. Dr. Espinosa revises his patients after 24 hours to make sure that everything goes normally

¿How much time the recovery takes?
The recovery can take from 2 to 5 days, sometimes less. Nevertheless, all organisms have a different recovery process. It is important that you observe the medical indications and rest the recommended time. It is possible that several weeks pass until the inflammation allows checking the real changes. However, you will notice important changes that will fill you with satisfaction day by day

Dr. Espinosa recommends:

Before Surgery:

1.Not to consume medications that contains salicylic acid (Aspirin) and derivates.

2.Not to have smoked at least one month before the surgery.

3.To inform from possible allergies to medications.

4.To maintain realistic expectations with regard to the results of the surgery.

After Surgery:

1. Check on exit that the formula, disability order and date of medical control order has been delivered.

2. Soft feeding in the first days, because you could have son annoyances when you open your mouth or move your lips.

3. It is advisable to place a surgical glove full of ice wrapped in a towel and to sleep a little sat down during the first 48 hours.

4. You should maintain resting at home during the first 2 to 5 days.

5.Although the pain is usually minimal, inside the formulated medications an analgesic and an antibiotic are included. Take it according to the indications scored in the formula.

6. The oral hygiene should be fulfilled with dental silk and brush from the first day. Don't forget to carry out mouthwashes after each food starting from the third day with a mixture half of clorhexidina mouthwashes and half of normal saline solution.

7. To facilitate the resolution of the inflammation you shouldn't be exposed to sun directly during the first month.

8. In general terms you will be able to return to your normal activity in a lapse from 2 to 5 days, if it is not exposed to drastic changes of environmental temperature, severe physical efforts or high risk of traumas or blows in the face.

9. You will present inflammation that will improve with step of days. However the definitive appearance will be only established after some months of the procedure.

10. The previous ones are general indications; don't doubt to call us if you need some explanation. Remember that the success of the surgery depends in large part of the post surgery cares.