Bichectomy Buccal Fat Removal Cheek Slimming - Prof. Dr. İsmail Küçüker - Plastic Surgeon

Bichectomy Buccal Fat Removal Cheek Slimming

Bichectomy, also known as buccal fat removal, is a procedure employed when excess fat accumulates in the cheek and corner areas of the face....

Bichectomy (Buccal Fat Removal & Cheek Slimming Surgery)

Key Facts About Bichectomy: Bichectomy (buccal fat pad removal or Hollywood cheek surgery) is a permanent structural facial contouring procedure performed via hidden 1 cm intraoral incisions to sculpt the lower cheeks, define cheekbones, and create a sleek V-line silhouette with zero visible external scars.

Time 30–45 Mins
Anesthesia Local / Sedation
Stay Outpatient
Recovery 2–3 Days

Bichectomy, clinically known as buccal fat pad removal, is a precise structural facial contouring surgery designed for individuals with persistent fullness or heaviness in the midface and lower cheek areas.

At Prof. Dr. İsmail Küçüker Clinic, buccal fat extraction is tailored to individual facial anatomy, preserving essential structural volume to prevent premature gauntness while creating a defined, elegant, and permanent V-line contour.

Primary Aesthetic Benefits

Sub-Zygomatic Definition: Accentuates natural cheekbone projection by sculpting the lower cheek shadows.
Zero External Scarring: Performed completely through microscopic, self-dissolving intraoral incisions inside the mouth.
Diet-Resistant Solution: Permanently removes deep Bichat fat pads that do not respond to weight loss or exercise.
Prof. Dr. İsmail Küçüker Clinic Bichectomy Buccal Fat Removal Cheek Slimming Surgery

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.
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