Why Choose Bichectomy (Cheek Slimming Surgery)?
Both male and female patients seeking to transition from a round, structurally heavy, or "baby-faced" profile to a sharper, more sculpted appearance frequently choose bichectomy. It creates structural shadow dynamics beneath the zygomatic arch, delivering the refined "Hollywood Cheek" contour sought worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria for Buccal Fat Removal
✦ Ideal Age Window (Over 25): Recommended for patients aged 25 and older, when facial volume and buccal fat compartments have fully matured.
✦ Age Considerations After 45: Generally discouraged after age 45, as natural subcutaneous fat atrophy could lead to an excessively gaunt or prematurely aged appearance.
✦ Stable Body Weight: Optimal candidates are at or near their ideal BMI; generalized facial adiposity cannot be resolved by buccal pad removal alone.
How Is Bichectomy Performed? Surgical Nuances
Buccal fat removal is a comfortable outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia, taking approximately 30 to 45 minutes. A precise 1 cm intraoral mucosal incision is made adjacent to the upper second molar. The buccinator muscle fibers are gently separated to access the encapsulated buccal fat pad, from which a calibrated volume is selectively excised. The incision is closed with self-dissolving sutures, requiring no stitch removal.
Recovery Timeline & Post-Operative Care
✦ Days 1–3 (Oral Hygiene & Diet): Consume soft, room-temperature foods and maintain meticulous oral hygiene using antiseptic mouthwash after meals.
✦ Week 1 (Edema Resolution): Mild internal cheek swelling resolves rapidly; patients can comfortably resume office work within 2 to 3 days.
✦ Months 3–6 (Final V-Line Result): As deep tissues settle and heal, the definitive, chiseled sub-malar contour becomes fully established.
Is Buccal Fat Removal Permanent?
Yes. The aesthetic results of a bichectomy are strictly permanent. The extracted Bichat fat cells do not regenerate or return, ensuring lifelong sub-zygomatic definition even with mild subsequent weight fluctuations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bichectomy
✦ Will bichectomy cause cheek sagging as I age?
When performed conservatively by an experienced plastic surgeon who extracts only the necessary portion of the buccal fat pad, structural support is maintained without causing premature aging or hollowed cheeks.
✦ Is buccal fat removal painful?
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, ensuring zero pain during surgery. Post-operative discomfort is mild and easily managed with standard oral analgesics for 1–2 days.
✦ When will I see the final results of my bichectomy?
While initial swelling subsides within 1 to 2 weeks, the gradual skin retraction and deep tissue remodeling require 3 to 6 months to reveal the final, sculpted cheek contour.
✦ Are there any visible scars after the operation?
No. The entire procedure is performed internally through 1 cm incisions inside the oral cavity, leaving zero external scars on your face.