Dr. Andan Clinic
Online
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30 - 45 Minutes
Permanent (Fat pad is removed)
The Next Day / 2-3 Days
Local Anesthesia
Some faces look structurally round and full, regardless of how thin the person may be. These “chubby cheeks,” which are considered cute during childhood, can make an adult look heavier than they actually are and prevent facial features like the cheekbones and jawline from becoming prominent.
With the “Hollywood Cheek” trend led by world-famous stars (such as Angelina Jolie and Bella Hadid), Bichectomy has become the most popular procedure for those who want to slim the face and achieve a more triangular form (V-Shape).
Dr. Andan Clinic views the Bichectomy operation not merely as a simple fat removal procedure but applies it as an art of facial contouring. The goal is to remove the fullness shadowing the cheekbones by taking out the excess fat pads inside the cheeks and providing the face with a more sophisticated, attractive, and mature expression.
In the deep plane of our cheeks, between the chewing muscles, there are encapsulated fat masses called “Bichat Fat Pads” (Buccal Fat Pad). These fats are not significantly affected by weight fluctuations; meaning that even if your body thins down through dieting, these fats in your cheeks may not melt away.
Bichectomy is the permanent removal of approximately 40-50% of these fats through a small incision made inside the mouth.
The greatest advantage of this procedure is that it is scarless. Since the incision remains entirely inside the mouth, there is no surgical scar on your face. It is a procedure completed in an average of 30-45 minutes, comfortably under local anesthesia, much like sitting in a dentist’s chair.
Not every patient with a round face may be suitable for Bichectomy. In the facial analysis performed by Dr. Andan Clinic physicians, the following criteria are considered:
Face Shape: Individuals with square or round facial lines where cheek fullness covers the cheekbones.
Amount of Fat: The volume of the Bichat fat pad is checked during an intraoral examination.
Skin Quality and Age: Bichectomy is generally recommended for patients between the ages of 20 and 40. In advanced ages or very thin faces, removing these fats can cause the face to look hollow and make the person appear older. Therefore, correct patient selection is of vital importance.
Bichectomy results are not visible immediately on the operating table. Slight edema forms in the cheeks after the procedure. It takes between 3 weeks and 3 months for the edema to subside and for the cheek to curve inward, creating that famous shadowing (contour) effect.
Once the result settles:
The “babyish” (chubby) look on the cheeks disappears.
The cheekbones (Zygoma) become more prominent.
An aesthetic hollow forms between the jawline and the cheek.
The face gains a thinner, longer, and more angular appearance.
Bichectomy is a powerful procedure that can completely change the facial expression with a small touch. However, since it is an irreversible procedure (the removed fats cannot be put back), it must be performed by experienced hands with correct planning. Dr. Andan Clinic, also considering the future of your face, meticulously plans the Bichectomy that will provide the most suitable and natural result for you.
This is the most frequently asked question and the most misunderstood topic. Bichat fat pads are not the fat pads that support the face (provide suspension). Therefore, removing them does not cause the face to sag. However, when performed on patients over the age of 45-50 whose skin is already loose, cheek collapse may be perceived as sagging. Therefore, it is important to perform this procedure at the right age and on the right patient.
Bichat fat pads are resistant fats that do not melt during the aging process. However, other fats in the face melt with age. If a bichectomy is performed on a very thin face, the cheeks may become excessively sunken in later years. Dr. Andan Clinic calculates your future facial projection and removes only the excess fat, not all of it.
For the first 2-3 days, avoid very hot, very hard, and spicy foods because there are small stitches inside the mouth. A diet consisting mainly of liquids and purees is generally recommended. Paying attention to oral hygiene and gargling prevents the risk of infection.
Self-dissolving sutures are used in bisection surgery. There is no need to have the sutures removed; they will fall out or dissolve on their own within 1 week to 10 days.
No, a buccal fat removal procedure only slims the cheek (mid-face) area. The fat in the chin area is a separate compartment. If you have a chin issue, it is recommended to have chin liposuction along with buccal fat removal. This combination fully slims the face.
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