Bichectomy

Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims to reduce the size of cheek pads and enhance facial contours by extracting buccal fat pads.

What is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic surgical procedure that aims to reduce the size of cheek pads and enhance facial contours. During the surgery, your surgeon will extract the buccal fat pads and create a more defined cheekbone area. The final aim of this treatment is to create a slimmer face profile.

In recent years, buccal fat removal, also known as bichectomy, has become popular due to movie stars and social media influencers. If you would like to seek a more sculpted facial appearance, which is also a permanent solution, buccal fat reduction can be a good solution for you.

Who are the Good Candidates for Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is a safe and simple procedure. Thin facial structure or fluctuating weight may affect the treatment negatively. You are a good candidate for cheek reduction surgery if:

• You have naturally fuller cheeks and desire a more contoured facial profile.
• You would like to achieve a balanced and harmonious facial appearance.
• You have skin with sufficient elasticity to adapt to the reduced volume in the cheeks.
• You are in good overall health.
• You understand the potential outcomes and limitations.
• You are a non-smoker.

How Do You Get Rid of Cheek Fat? Everything You Need to Know About the Surgery

Buccal fat removal is an outpatient procedure, which means the patients do not spend the night at the hospital. In addition, the complete procedure lasts about an hour. Buccal fat pad removal surgery requires a procedure that your surgeon should follow. The common steps for this procedure can be listed below:

• Before the surgery, you will have your initial consultation with your doctor. During this appointment, your doctor will review your medical history and plan the procedure.
• The cheek surgery usually begins with the administration of local anesthesia (and sometimes sedation) to ensure you’re comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
• Your surgeon makes a small incision, typically about 2–3 cm long, inside your mouth, near the upper gums above the second upper molar.
• Through this incision, the buccal fat pad is gently teased out and removed. The amount of fat removed varies depending on the desired outcome of facial fat removal surgery.
• Once the appropriate amount of fat is removed, your surgeon will close the incision with dissolvable sutures.
• After the surgery, you should regularly visit your surgeon to check if everything is going great. The recovery time for this surgery is generally six weeks.

Aftercare of Buccal Fat Pad Surgery

Buccal fat removal provides a natural-looking and more contoured facial appearance. As mentioned above, the process is easy and quick. In addition, the recovery period is shorter than for other surgical operations. However, after the surgery, you should follow your doctor’s instructions. Some of the recovery period routine for cheek reduction can be summarized as follows:

• You should adhere to the specific guidelines provided by your surgeon.
• You should maintain good oral hygiene to prevent infections. You can gently rinse your mouth with saltwater or an antiseptic mouthwash.
• You should stick to a soft or liquid diet for the first few days. Avoid hot, spicy, or hard foods that might irritate the surgical site.
• You should apply ice packs to your cheeks intermittently for the first 48 hours to reduce swelling.
• You should limit your physical activities, especially those that increase blood pressure, for at least a week to prevent bleeding and swelling.
• You should keep your head elevated while sleeping for the first few nights to help reduce swelling.
• If these signs of infection occur, such as increased pain, redness, or discharge from the incision site, you should contact your surgeon.

Advantages of Buccal Fat Operation

Buccal fat removal is a cosmetic surgery that removes the fat in the cheeks. Some of the advantages of this treatment are as follows:

• This surgery creates more defined cheekbones and a slimmer face, providing a sculpted, aesthetically pleasing facial profile.
• Unlike non-surgical treatments, the results of buccal fat removal are permanent, giving you a lasting change to your facial structure.
• The procedure involves small incisions inside the mouth, resulting in no visible external scars.
• Compared to other cosmetic surgeries, buccal fat removal generally has a shorter and easier recovery period.
• Achieving the desired facial contour can significantly enhance your self-esteem and confidence in your appearance.
• The amount of fat removed can be tailored to your specific facial structure and aesthetic goals.
• Most patients experience minimal pain during and after the procedure, which can be easily managed with prescribed medications.
• Buccal fat removal can be combined with other facial surgeries like rhinoplasty or a facelift for a comprehensive facial rejuvenation.
• When performed by a qualified surgeon, this procedure has a low risk of complications.

Side Effects and Limitations of Face Fat Removal Surgery

Buccal fat removal is basically a surgery; therefore, just like every treatment, there may be side effects and complications. Before having this surgery, you should be aware of these limitations, which are listed below:

• Swelling and bruising
• Risk of Asymmetry
• Potential for Nerve Damage
• Infection Risk
• Scarring inside the mouth
• Limited Impact on the Lower Face
• Temporary Numbness
• Suitability Concerns
• Weight Stability Requirement