What to Know About Buccal Fat Removal (Cheek Aesthetics)
General information on the purpose of buccal fat removal and how suitability is assessed.
Read MoreBichectomy (Buccal Fat Removal)
Defining the cheek and cheekbone contour
Bichectomy aims to give the facial contour a more defined look by removing a portion of the buccal fat pad inside the cheek. As it is performed through the mouth, it leaves no external scar.
What is bichectomy and which tissue does it target?
Bichectomy is a facial contouring procedure based on removing part of the buccal fat pad (the fat of Bichat) that sits in the mid-cheek area. This fat pad is an anatomical structure that determines fullness below the cheekbone; its volume differs naturally from one person to another.
The aim is not to 'slim' the cheek but to reduce fat volume modestly so the mid-to-lower face looks more tapered and defined. Because the removed fat does not regenerate, the result is considered permanent, so the amount of tissue that is appropriate to remove is planned conservatively.
Who may be suitable?
It may be considered in adults with a round or full facial shape who would like a more defined cheekbone and lower-cheek contour. Completed facial growth and realistic expectations are important; the procedure alone is not intended for facelifting or skin tightening.
It may not always be appropriate for those with a naturally slim face, little buccal fat, or a higher chance of a hollow (over-thin) appearance in later years. Suitability is determined by an in-person examination that considers facial proportions, skin thickness and fat distribution.
How is it performed? (Intraoral, scar-free)
The procedure is carried out through a few-millimetre incision in the mucosa on the inner surface of the cheek. The buccal fat pad is reached through this incision, the appropriate portion is removed, and the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures.
Since the whole procedure is done inside the mouth, no externally visible incision or scar remains on the face. It is usually a short procedure performed under local or otherwise appropriate anesthesia; duration and technical details vary with individual anatomy.
Recovery process
Swelling and a mild feeling of tightness in the cheeks may appear in the first days and usually subside noticeably within the first week. The intraoral sutures dissolve on their own before long and do not need to be removed separately.
A soft diet and attention to oral hygiene are advised in the early days. As the swelling fully resolves, the contour settles over several weeks to a few months; the process varies from person to person, and follow-up visits are important.
Points to keep in mind
Because the procedure provides an irreversible reduction in volume, the amount of tissue is planned conservatively; the goal is balanced definition rather than an excessive change. As the face may lose volume naturally with age, this is taken into account during planning.
Following the oral-care and dietary advice given after surgery supports healing. It should be noted that factors such as smoking may negatively affect tissue healing; all such details are discussed during the examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bichectomy is an aesthetic procedure that removes part of the buccal fat pad inside the cheek through the mouth to give the mid-to-lower face a more defined look. The aim is to reduce cheek fullness and highlight the cheekbone line.
Because the incision is made entirely in the mucosa inside the mouth, no visible scar is expected on the outer surface of the face. The sutures inside the mouth are usually the dissolvable type and disappear on their own before long.
As the removed fat does not form again, the result is considered permanent. That said, natural volume changes that come with age can affect facial appearance over time, which is why the amount removed is planned conservatively.
It may be considered in adults with a full or round facial shape who would like a more defined cheekbone and cheek contour. It may not be suitable for those with a naturally slim face; the final decision is made through an examination that assesses facial proportions.
In most people the early swelling subsides noticeably within a week and return to daily life is quick. The contour settles fully once the swelling resolves, which can take from a few weeks to a few months and varies from person to person.
The aim is balanced definition, not an overly hollow face. For this reason the amount of fat to be removed is planned conservatively according to facial structure and age; to reduce the risk of excessive volume loss, the assessment is made through examination.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. The process and outcomes vary from person to person.
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