Chief Surgeon

Dr Stefano Cotrufo

Dr Stefano Cotrufo is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with over 15 years’ experience working in London as a plastic surgery and reconstructive microsurgery specialist. He performs a wide range of plastic surgery and non-surgical procedures from his private practice in Harley Street.
Member of The European Union of Medical Specialists for Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
General Medical Council Registered Plastic Surgeon
realself Top Doctor Award
The Royal Society of Medicine Plastic Surgeon
BMA Certified Plastic Surgeon
Member of British Society of Rhinoplasty Surgeons
Masters Educational Series, Implantech 2016, Facial & Body Contouring Implants Course Certified Plastic Surgeon

Cheek Fat Removal

Prominent, rounded cheeks can make the whole face appear fuller, so individuals appear fatter than they really are. Buccal fat removal helps to contour the face, reducing the appearance of chubby cheeks. Dr Cotrufo believes that the best result after buccal fat pad excision is to achieve more definition between the cheek and the jawline.

Why choose buccal fat removal?

A genetic predisposition to having chubby cheeks may make it difficult to achieve face definition even with diet and exercise, buccal fat removal contours the face, helping to achieve facial balance.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL?
  • Makes the cheeks appear less prominent

  • Helps provide better facial definition between the cheek bones and the jawline

  • Correction of ‘chipmunk’ or ‘chubby’ cheeks

IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE FOR BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL?

Buccal fat removal is a relatively simple surgery; however, your surgeon will be able to advise if a different procedure or combination of procedures would be more suited to your goals.

DURING YOUR CONSULTATION, YOU WILL:
  • Discuss your reasons for seeking buccal fat pad removal

  • Ask Dr Cotrufo questions and learn more about the procedure

  • Have a full health evaluation

  • Talk about the procedure and the aftercare you will receive

  • Have a facial assessment

  • Discuss other surgical and non-surgical options that may be open to you

  • Talk about costs and timescales

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE YOUR BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL SURGERY?

No matter how simple the procedure, surgery is a very personal process. Ensuring you feel happy and comfortable during your journey starts with good communications between you and your surgeon. This relationship will begin to be established during your consultation when you will have the chance to talk directly with Dr Cotrufo. He has performed so many buccal fat pad excisions and will be able to show you plenty of before and after pictures.

As your surgery approaches you man be asked to make some small lifestyle changes and told to avoid particular activities and medications.

This may include:

  • Taking medical tests including blood tests

  • Stopping smoking

  • Adjusting or stop taking certain medications

  • Avoiding aspirin, herbal supplements and anti-inflammatory drugs

  • Refraining from drinking alcohol

  • Avoiding sun overexposure, particular to the face

  • Committing not to make stringent changes to your diet

If a general anaesthetic is to be used during surgery you will need to follow fasting instructions.

THE BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL PROCEDURE
  • Cheek reduction surgery usually takes around 1 hour, depending on the extent of the work and whether multiple procedures are being combined

  • Incisions are made inside your mouth and the unwanted fat removed

  • Absorbable sutures will be used to close the incisions

  • This procedure is more often performed under local anaesthesia and patients are allowed to go back home on the same day accompanied by a friend or a member of family.

AFTER YOUR BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL PROCEDURE:

Once you have been released from the clinic, you may want a friend or relative to drive you home.

After that:

  • You should start walking around as soon as possible

  • You will need to follow a liquid diet for 3 days after surgery. This will be followed by 4 days of soft/mashed diet.

  • You should take it easy for the first week after surgery and take time off work

  • You will need to keep your head elevated during the first 7 days after surgery

  • On the second day after surgery you should be able to shower with slightly warm water

  • Any bruising in and around the cheek area should subside in 7-14 days

  • The sutures used in your mouth will gradually dissolve

  • You will need to avoid hot drinks and food, spicy, crunchy and acidic foods in the weeks following surgery and should not consume items that may contain high amounts of bacteria

  • Vigorous exercise of all kinds should be avoided for one month

  • You will need to avoid steam baths, saunas and sunbathing for several weeks

  • An aftercare schedule will be provided for you and you will need to attend appointments with Dr Cotrufo, who will monitor your progress

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL SURGERY?

Dr Stefano Cotrufo is an expert in cosmetic plastic surgery and reconstructive microsurgery. He particularly specializes in carrying out procedures to the neck and the face, such as buccal fat removal surgery. If you have any further questions about this surgery and whether it would be suitable for you or would like to discuss the level of service and aftercare you would receive at the clinic, please call 0207 873 2330 to organise a consultation.

Cheek Implants

During a cheek augmentation plastic surgery, cheek implants are placed under the skin to give the appearance of a fuller face. Cheek implant procedures can be carried out on their own to restore hollow, sunken cheeks and are also frequently combined with procedures such as blepharoplasty and facelifts.

Why choose cheek implants?

The cheek area tends to become more drawn with age and if you have particularly flat cheeks you may find you look older than you really are. Cheek implants are used to augment or plump out flatter or sunken cheeks, giving a fuller and more youthful appearance to the face.

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CHEEK IMPLANTS?
  • Plumps out sunken or hollow cheeks

  • Restores a more youthful appearance

  • Provides contouring and facial balance

IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE TO CHEEK IMPLANT SURGERY?

There are some non-surgical procedures that can also be used to enhance the cheek area such as dermal fillers. It may also be possible to plump out the cheek area with a fat transfer procedure. Discuss your options with your surgeon to decide which procedure or procedures are most suited to your individual goals.

DURING YOUR CHEEK IMPLANT SURGERY CONSULTATION, YOU WILL:
  • Discuss the reasons behind you seeking cheek augmentation

  • Learn more about cheek surgery and implants and the process involved

  • Discuss the care you will receive before, during and after your cheek implant surgery

  • Have a full health evaluation

  • Undergo an assessment of your cheek area

  • Talk through alternative surgical and non-surgical options

  • Discuss timescales and details about the cost of cheek implants

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE YOUR CHEEK IMPLANT SURGERY:

Relaxed and comfortable surgery and recovery starts with you and your surgeon, so it’s essential you establish good two-way communication. This will begin in your consultation where you will have the opportunity to talk in detail about your situation and the procedure.

As you get nearer to your procedure date you may be asked to make some small lifestyle changes in order to ensure you are in the best possible health. You are likely to be asked to avoid some medications and activities or undergo testing.

This may include:

  • Taking medical tests including blood tests

  • Stopping smoking

  • Adjusting or taking certain medications

  • Avoiding aspirin, herbal supplements and anti-inflammatory drugs

  • Refraining from drinking alcohol

  • Avoiding sun overexposure, particularly to your face

  • Committing not to make stringent changes to your diet

If a general anaesthetic is to be used during surgery, you will be given instructions on how to fast.

THE CHEEK IMPLANT PROCEDURE:
  • Cheek implant surgery usually takes around an hour depending on the extent of work required, type of anaesthesia and number of procedures being carried out

  • Implants are specially selected to fit with your face and bone structure. They are usually inserted on top of your cheekbones via incisions on the inside of your mouth

  • Sometimes a bone graft is carried out using bone from your own body, usually the hip

  • The incisions are sealed with absorbable sutures

AFTER YOUR CHEEK IMPLANT PROCEDURE:

Following your cheek implant procedure, you should be able to return home the same day.

After that:

  • You should take it easy for around a week and take time off work to aid your recovery

  • The skin around the cheek area may feel tight and there will be some swelling and bruising which should subside around a week after surgery

  • You will need to avoid hot and spicy foods and crunchy foods for a few weeks

  • You should avoid saunas, steam baths and sunbathing for around 1 month

  • An aftercare appointment schedule will be arranged for you to attend appointments with Dr Cotrufo

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CHEEK IMPLANTS?

Dr Stefano Cotrufo is a plastic surgery and reconstructive microsurgery expert with a particular specialism in carrying out surgical procedures to the face and neck area, such as the cheek implant procedure.

Should you wish to learn more about the cheek augmentation procedure or would like to discuss the service and aftercare you can expect to receive with us, please call 0207 873 2330 to book a consultation.

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