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Bichectomy, also known as buccal fat removal, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to create a slimmer and more contoured facial appearance. The face naturally contains buccal fat pads located in the cheeks, which can vary in size from person to person. In some individuals, these fat pads are more prominent, giving the face a rounder or fuller look even when body weight is normal. Bichectomy removes a portion of these pads through small incisions inside the mouth, refining the cheek area and enhancing the definition of the cheekbones and jawline. The goal of the procedure is to achieve a more sculpted, harmonious appearance while maintaining natural facial balance.
An ideal candidate for bichectomy is someone who has naturally round or chubby cheeks due to enlarged buccal fat pads and desires a slimmer facial contour. Candidates are generally healthy adults who do not smoke, have stable body weight, and have realistic expectations about the outcome. The procedure is not intended as a solution for excess overall body fat but rather for individuals whose facial fullness is due to genetics rather than lifestyle. It is particularly suitable for people who feel that their cheeks make their face appear heavier than the rest of their body, even with good diet and exercise habits. Those with naturally thin faces or very little facial fat are usually not recommended for the procedure, as further removal could result in a hollow or aged appearance over time.
Benefits of Buccal Fat Removal
The main benefit of buccal fat removal is the creation of a more defined and sculpted face. By reducing the fullness of the cheeks, the cheekbones and jawline become more prominent, leading to a slimmer and sharper facial profile. This change often enhances facial harmony and brings out features that may have been hidden by excess volume. Another benefit is the permanence of the result, as buccal fat pads do not typically grow back once removed. For many, the procedure helps align facial appearance with personal aesthetic goals, improving self-confidence and satisfaction with overall facial proportions.
Beyond cosmetic improvement, bichectomy has the advantage of being a relatively quick and straightforward procedure with a short recovery period compared to many other facial surgeries. Because the incisions are made inside the mouth, there are no visible external scars, which is an important consideration for individuals seeking discreet enhancement.
Bichectomy is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation, though general anesthesia may be used in some cases. The surgeon makes small incisions on the inner lining of the cheeks, giving access to the buccal fat pads. A controlled amount of fat is carefully removed from each side to ensure symmetry and maintain natural facial proportions. Once the fat is removed, the incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches that heal over time.
The procedure typically takes between thirty minutes and one hour, depending on the complexity and whether additional treatments are combined. Because the incisions are inside the mouth, there are no visible scars. Patients can usually return home the same day, and recovery involves following a soft-food diet for a few days and maintaining proper oral hygiene to prevent infection. Swelling is normal in the first week but gradually decreases, with the final contour becoming visible after a few months as the tissues settle.
While bichectomy is a surgical method that provides permanent facial slimming by removing fat pads, there are also non-surgical alternatives that aim to create a more contoured look. Injectable treatments, such as fat-dissolving substances, can be used to reduce localized fat in certain areas, though results are temporary and require maintenance sessions. Other non-surgical approaches may include skin tightening treatments that improve the definition of the face by firming the skin, though they do not actually remove fat.
The main difference between surgical and non-surgical facial slimming lies in permanence and effectiveness. Surgery achieves lasting results by physically reducing fat volume, while non-surgical methods offer temporary improvements that may be better suited for those hesitant about surgery. The choice depends on the individual’s facial structure, expectations, and long-term goals.
Before undergoing bichectomy, a consultation is usually carried out to determine whether the procedure is suitable for the individual’s facial structure. The surgeon evaluates the balance between cheek volume, jawline definition, and overall proportions of the face. Patients are advised to stop smoking and avoid certain medications that can increase bleeding risk. On the day of the operation, local anesthesia with sedation is most commonly used, and the procedure itself is relatively short.
After the surgery, swelling inside the cheeks is expected and may last for a week or two. A soft-food diet is usually recommended in the first days to reduce strain on the healing area, and oral hygiene becomes particularly important to avoid infection. The initial results may not be immediately visible due to swelling, but as tissues settle, the cheeks begin to look slimmer. The final contour usually appears after several weeks to a few months, when healing is complete and swelling has fully resolved.
The recovery process following buccal fat removal is generally smooth and straightforward. Most patients are able to return to light daily activities within a few days. The cheeks may feel tender, swollen, or slightly numb during the first week, which is a normal part of healing. Dissolvable stitches are used inside the mouth, meaning there are no external scars and no need for suture removal. Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential, and patients are often advised to use mouth rinses to keep the area clean.
By the end of the first week, swelling begins to subside, though some residual puffiness may linger for a few more weeks. Normal eating patterns gradually resume, although very hard or spicy foods are best avoided until full comfort returns. Exercise and heavy physical activity are usually postponed for a short period to prevent complications. As the weeks pass, the cheeks take on a more sculpted shape, and the final results continue to improve as healing completes.
Bichectomy is generally considered safe, but as with any surgical procedure, it carries some risks and potential side effects. The most common temporary issues include swelling, bruising, mild pain, or a sensation of tightness in the cheeks. These symptoms improve as healing progresses and are usually managed with standard care. Less common risks may involve infection, bleeding, or asymmetry between the two cheeks if healing does not progress evenly.
A potential long-term concern is excessive removal of fat, which could create a hollowed appearance as the person ages and natural facial volume decreases. This is why careful planning and conservative fat removal are important to ensure balanced, natural results. In the majority of cases, complications are rare, and patients recover with improved facial definition and no visible scars, since all incisions are placed inside the mouth.
Yes, bichectomy changes the face permanently because buccal fat pads do not grow back once removed. The reduction in cheek volume creates a slimmer, more contoured facial shape that lasts for life. However, it is important to note that the face continues to age naturally. Over the years, changes in skin elasticity, bone structure, and overall fat distribution may affect the appearance of the face, but the specific removal of buccal fat pads remains permanent.
For individuals with naturally round or full cheeks, this permanence is often seen as an advantage, as it provides long-term facial slimming without the need for repeat procedures. At the same time, patients should be aware that removing too much fat can contribute to a gaunt or hollow look as they grow older, which is why careful planning is essential. When performed with balance in mind, bichectomy enhances natural facial harmony and provides lasting definition.
The price of bichectomy in 2025 depends on several factors, including the complexity of the procedure, the anesthesia method, and whether it is performed alone or combined with other facial surgeries. In most cases, the procedure is relatively short and does not require hospital admission, which can make it more cost-effective compared to more extensive operations. Prices also vary depending on the country and the level of expertise required, but Turkey remains one of the most affordable destinations for buccal fat removal while maintaining high medical standards.
The overall cost generally includes pre-operative consultation, anesthesia, the surgery itself, and follow-up appointments. Although affordability is an important consideration, patients are encouraged to focus on long-term satisfaction and safety rather than price alone. Natural, balanced results and proper healing should always take priority when evaluating treatment options.
Bichectomy is not typically described as a painful procedure. Since it is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation, patients remain comfortable during the surgery itself. After the procedure, some mild soreness, swelling, or a sensation of tightness in the cheeks is normal. These effects are temporary and usually resolve with standard pain management. Most people describe the recovery as more uncomfortable than painful, with the feeling of swelling being the most noticeable part of the healing process.
Swelling is a natural part of healing after bichectomy and is most noticeable in the first week. During this period, the cheeks may appear fuller than before, which can be surprising to some patients. However, as the healing progresses, swelling begins to subside. By the second to third week, most of the swelling has resolved, and the new facial contour becomes more visible. The final definition usually appears after several months, once the tissues have completely settled and the subtle changes are fully revealed.
One concern among patients is whether removing buccal fat will make the face appear excessively thin. When performed with careful planning, bichectomy should not create a hollowed or aged look. The goal is to reduce only the portion of fat that causes excessive roundness, leaving enough volume to maintain natural softness and balance in the cheeks. The outcome depends on the individual’s facial structure, age, and skin quality. For people with already thin faces, the procedure may not be recommended, as further fat reduction could exaggerate sharpness over time. In properly selected patients, the result is a refined contour rather than an overly thin appearance.
No, the buccal fat pads removed during bichectomy do not grow back. Once they are surgically removed, the change is permanent. This makes bichectomy different from non-surgical fat reduction treatments, which often require maintenance sessions. However, natural aging, weight fluctuations, and changes in other fat deposits of the face can still affect appearance over time. While the specific buccal fat will not return, the face will continue to change with age, and these natural processes should be taken into account when considering the procedure.
Bichectomy is generally safe in the long term when performed on the right candidates. The procedure involves the removal of a specific fat pad that does not serve a critical functional role, so removing it does not impair chewing, speaking, or facial movement. The main consideration is balance: removing too much fat can make the face appear hollow as aging progresses, which is why conservative removal is preferred.
Over time, patients can expect their results to remain stable, with a slimmer and more contoured appearance that does not require repeat procedures. As with any cosmetic surgery, long-term safety depends on proper surgical technique and adherence to recovery guidelines. When these are followed, bichectomy provides lasting results that continue to harmonize with natural facial aging
