What is buccal fat removal?
Bichectomy, better known as buccal fat removal, is a brief procedure that reduces fullness in the lower part of the cheeks. The buccal fat pad, also called Bichat's fat pad, is a natural pocket of fat lying deep in the cheek between the cheekbone and the jaw. It varies in size between individuals and can even differ from one side of the face to the other.
Taking out part of this pad through a short cut inside the mouth can make the lower cheeks slimmer and give the cheekbones and jawline more definition. The skin of the face is not cut at all.
Who is a good candidate for buccal fat removal?
The key question is whether your face will still look healthy and in proportion as it gets older. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the procedure is generally not done in people whose faces are thin and narrow, since losing that fat may give a hollow look later in life.
| Generally a good fit | Worth waiting or talking through first |
|---|---|
| Lower cheeks that look round and full although your weight is healthy | A face that is thin or narrow by nature |
| Fullness that weight loss has not changed | Plans to lose a lot of weight soon |
| Adults whose weight is stable | Fullness that comes mostly from the jaw muscle (masseter) or the jawline |
| Good overall and dental health | An active tooth or gum infection |
| Clear expectations that are realistic | Wanting a very hollow or heavily sculpted look |
Because the volume taken away does not come back, a cautious approach is normally favoured. Before suggesting the procedure, Dr. Yazır looks at the face as a whole, including the cheekbones, jawline and skin.
How is the procedure performed?
- Assessment. Dr. Yazır examines your face both relaxed and smiling and explains what buccal fat removal is likely to change.
- Numbing. Local anaesthetic is used inside each cheek while you stay awake.
- Cut inside the mouth. A short incision is made on the inner cheek, keeping clear of the opening of the parotid (salivary) duct.
- Careful removal. The fat pad is reached by gentle blunt dissection, and a measured amount is eased out. Only as much as suits your face is removed.
- Finishing. Dissolving stitches close the incision, and a compression dressing or facial garment may be fitted. You leave on the same day.
One technical review in the facial plastic surgery literature identifies a thorough understanding of the anatomy and a careful technique inside the mouth as the main reasons for a low complication rate.
Buccal fat removal compared with other options
| Treatment | What it does | Often suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Buccal fat removal | Takes out part of the deep fat pad in the cheek | Fullness in the hollow of the lower cheek |
| Chin liposuction | Removes fat beneath the chin | Fullness under the chin and along the jaw |
| Double chin lipolysis | Injections that shrink small pockets of fat | Mild fullness under the chin when surgery is not wanted |
| Jawline fillers | Gives the jaw more definition | Shaping the contour by adding structure instead of taking fat away |
What does recovery look like?
| After the procedure | What you are likely to notice |
|---|---|
| First 3 days | Swollen, tight cheeks; eat soft food, use mouth rinses and wear compression as advised |
| Days 3 to 5 | Office work is usually possible and the swelling is going down |
| Weeks 1 to 2 | Most people eat normally again and the obvious swelling has gone |
| Weeks 4 to 8 | The new contour becomes easier to see |
| Months 3 to 6 | The last of the swelling settles and the final result shows |
How do I plan my trip to Izmir?
Patients travelling from abroad usually allow 4 to 5 days. The clinic is in the Egeperla building in Konak, about 25 to 30 minutes by car from Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport (ADB).
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | You arrive and meet Dr. Yazır for the facial assessment |
| Day 2 | The procedure is done under local anaesthesia; rest at your hotel afterwards |
| Days 3 to 4 | Quiet days with soft food and a check-up if one has been arranged |
| Day 5 | A final check, then the flight home once Dr. Yazır agrees |
Before booking, you can send photos over WhatsApp from the front, from the side and while smiling, so that Dr. Yazır can give an initial opinion.
What are the risks of buccal fat removal?
Published reviews describe bichectomy as a quick procedure that usually has few complications, while pointing out that serious problems are possible and that good long-term research is missing. In one case series of 643 bichectomies, major complications were uncommon, and they became rarer still when a compression bandage was worn after surgery. The possible risks are:
- Swelling, bruising or blood collecting under the tissue (haematoma)
- An infection inside the cheek
- Difficulty opening the mouth for a while (trismus)
- Damage to the parotid (salivary) duct or to branches of the facial nerve, both of which are rare
- A difference between the two sides
- Taking out too much, which can leave a hollow or older look over time
Dr. Yazır explains how these apply to you during the consultation and the informed consent discussion.
How long do results last?
Fat that has been removed does not regrow, so the change is lasting. Even so, a systematic review noted that not one of the studies it included had looked at the long-term effect on how the face ages. Age and weight changes will keep reshaping the face, which is why a measured and cautious removal is the preferred approach.
Why do patients choose Izmir for buccal fat removal?
The procedure is normally done under local anaesthesia without an overnight stay, which makes it easy to fit into a short trip. Izmir lies on the Aegean coast, has direct flights from many European cities and offers plenty of accommodation, and costs are well below those in the UK or the USA, as the estimate further down this page shows. As the change cannot be undone, the step that matters most is a thorough look at your face and a frank conversation about whether the procedure suits you in the first place.