Bichectomy


The Buccal Fat pads are located between the cheek and jawbones. Large buccal fat pads can make the face look round and puffy, compromising the contours of the face and negatively affecting facial aesthetics. A buccal fat pad removal slims the face by removing part or all of the pads to produce an angled and defined midface contour.

For many people, chubby cheeks are a source of embarrassment. Cheek fat that causes fullness in the cheek area can be genetic, meaning that it’s just about impossible to achieve the look of slim, defined cheekbones without fat pad removal surgery. Chubby cheeks and overly-prominent fat pads can create a “baby face” look and obscure the cheekbones.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Bichectomy Surgery?

The provider can help you decide if buccal fat pad removal is right for you during your initial consultation. You could be a better candidate for another facial procedure. The best candidates for buccal lipectomy are in their late 20s or early 30s, at or near their goal weight and in good health. Come prepared with a list of any medications, herbal supplements or vitamins you are currently taking, as well as your medical history.

Cheek Reduction by removal of buccal fat offers several facial cosmetic surgery benefits:

  • Reduction of lower cheek volume.
  • Enhancement upper cheek and cheekbone contour from the lower cheek hollows.
  • Triangulation of facial shape and facial contour.
  • Creation of a more slender, narrower facial contour.
  • Reduction of facial fullness or plumpness.
  • Cheekbones may appear higher with more definition with buccal fat reduction.
  • Improvement in balance of facial proportions contour, upper to lower cheek ratio.
  • Men: more chiseled jawline and cheeks
  • Women: more sculpted lower facial contour.

What to Expect from Bichectomy Surgery?

The provider routinely performs the buccal fat removal procedure at his office-based operating room. It is performed with local anesthesia without any type of sedation (neither oral nor IV sedation), and is an outpatient procedure. The procedure takes less than one hour from start to finish.

The process is as follows:

  • The provider will place a mouth retractor similar to the one used at the dentist.
  • A small incision is made between inside the mouth near the second molar tooth.
  • The incision is gently opened. This allows the buccal fat to present itself between the masticatory muscle called masseter and the soft tissue of the cheek.
  • Through this incision, the provider will gently tease the buccal fat pad out, as it flows freely out of the incision as yolk from an egg.
  • The right amount of buccal fat is removed, sculpting the cheek to a slender, pleasing contour.

Once the buccal fat has been excised, the small incision is closed dissolvable sutures. These absorbable sutures allow for proper healing of the incision. The oral incisions heal quickly. Any resulting scars are hidden on the inside of the mouth, completely hidden from view.

Bichectomy Recovery

You won not be able to see the full results of your surgery until the swelling has completely subsided. This typically takes between 4-6 weeks. Many patients have no visible bruising during recovery. Since the incision is made inside of the cheek, you won not have any visible incisions or scarring during and after the healing process.