Buccal Fat Removal Procedure (Bichectomy)

Full, rounded cheeks are a natural facial feature and can be influenced by genetics, facial bone structure, body weight, and the amount of fat beneath the skin. Some people have persistent lower-cheek fullness despite being at a stable weight, while others prefer a more defined cheek and jawline appearance. Buccal fat removal is a surgical option that may reduce fullness in the lower cheeks for carefully selected patients.

Also called bichectomy, buccal lipectomy, or cheek reduction surgery, this procedure is not suitable for everyone. Because facial volume naturally changes with age, a thorough assessment is essential before making a permanent change to the face.

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is a facial-slimming procedure that removes part of the buccal fat pad. The buccal fat pad is a naturally occurring pocket of deep fat in the lower cheek, located between the cheekbone and jawline. It contributes to the soft, rounded appearance often described as chubby cheeks.

A surgeon usually removes only part of the fat pad rather than all of it. This is why the procedure may be described as partial buccal lipectomy. The aim is to reduce excessive lower-cheek fullness while preserving enough facial volume for a balanced, natural-looking result.

Buccal fat removal does not remove fat from the jawline, double chin, neck, or upper cheek. It specifically targets the buccal fat pad inside the lower cheek.

The procedure is most effective for people whose lower-cheek fullness is caused by a prominent buccal fat pad rather than overall weight gain, loose skin, or enlarged chewing muscles. Because the buccal fat pad is a deep structure, it cannot be reduced through diet, exercise, or non-surgical fat-reduction treatments. Once removed, the treated fat cells do not grow back, making the change permanent.

How to Lose Face Fat: When Surgery Is Not the First Step

Many people search for how to lose face fat when they notice fuller cheeks or a less defined facial contour. However, the face does not lose fat in a targeted way through diet or exercise alone. General weight loss may reduce facial fullness in some people, but the result depends on genetics and the way each person stores fat.

Before considering buccal fat removal surgery, it is important to assess whether the fullness is caused by:

• Overall weight gain
• Natural facial shape
• A prominent buccal fat pad
• Swelling related to allergies, medication, or another medical issue
• Enlarged chewing muscles, called masseter muscles
• Loose skin around the lower face or jawline
• Fat beneath the chin rather than cheek fat

For people whose face has become fuller because of recent weight gain, reaching a stable weight may be a more appropriate first step. Buccal fat removal should not be used as a substitute for healthy weight management, and it cannot treat facial puffiness caused by fluid retention or an underlying health condition.

Buccal Fat Removal and Facial Liposuction

Buccal fat removal and facial liposuction are different procedures because they treat different types and locations of facial fat.

Buccal fat removal targets the deep buccal fat pad inside the lower cheek. Facial liposuction, sometimes called cheek liposuction, usually targets fat closer to the surface of the skin, often beneath the chin, around the jawline, or in selected areas of the lower face.

The difference between buccal fat removal vs facial liposuction can be summarized as follows:

• Buccal fat removal reduces deep fat within the lower cheeks.
• Facial liposuction removes more superficial fat through very small skin incisions.
• Buccal lipectomy is performed through incisions inside the mouth.
• Cheek liposuction may be used for selected fat deposits around the lower face, chin, or jawline.
• Neither procedure is a treatment for major skin laxity.
• The two procedures may occasionally be discussed together, but only if the patient’s anatomy supports a combined approach.

For a double chin or fullness below the jaw, liposuction may be more relevant than buccal fat removal. For loose skin in the lower face, a skin-tightening treatment, neck lift, or facelift may be more appropriate. A facial assessment helps distinguish cheek fat from skin laxity, muscle prominence, or fat below the chin.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal for women and buccal fat removal for men follow the same medical principles. The decision is based on facial anatomy, not gender. A surgeon considers the width of the face, cheekbone projection, skin quality, age, and the amount of natural facial volume before recommending treatment.

A person may be a suitable candidate if they have:

• Persistent fullness in the lower cheeks despite a stable weight
• A naturally round or broad lower face
• Good overall health
• Realistic expectations about a subtle, gradual contour change
• Enough facial volume in the upper and mid-cheek areas
• An understanding that the result is permanent

Patients with naturally narrow faces, limited cheek volume, or visible facial hollowing may not be suitable candidates. In these cases, removing more cheek fat may create an overly gaunt or tired-looking appearance over time.

People who smoke or use nicotine products may be asked to stop before and after surgery because nicotine can affect blood flow and delay healing. A surgeon should also be informed about medications, supplements, allergies, previous facial surgery, dental surgery, and any history of bleeding or wound-healing problems.

Buccal Fat Removal Surgery: How Is It Performed?

Buccal fat removal surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, meaning the patient can typically return home on the same day. The procedure may be carried out under local anesthesia, which numbs the area while the patient remains awake, or under another form of anesthesia when combined with other facial procedures.

The surgeon makes a small incision inside each cheek. This approach means there are no visible scars on the outside of the face. The surgeon gently identifies the buccal fat pad and removes a measured portion before closing the incision with dissolvable stitches.

The main steps generally include:

• Marking and assessing the treatment area
• Administering anesthesia
• Making small incisions inside the mouth
• Removing part of each buccal fat pad
• Closing the internal incisions
• Providing instructions for oral care, diet, and recovery

The procedure is designed to improve cheek contour, not to create an extreme hollowed appearance. Facial symmetry is never perfectly identical, and a surgeon must work carefully to preserve a balanced result on both sides. In selected cases, buccal fat removal may be combined with other facial contouring procedures, such as those performed as part of facial feminization surgery (FFS), to create a softer, more refined facial outline.

Buccal Fat Removal Before and After: What Results Look Like

Buccal fat removal before and after photographs can help patients understand the type of change the procedure may create. However, photographs should be viewed carefully. Lighting, head position, weight changes, makeup, and photo editing can all affect how a result appears.

A natural result usually involves a modest reduction in lower-cheek fullness, with improved transition between the cheekbones and jawline. The face should still look balanced and recognizable rather than sharply hollowed.

Results vary according to:

• The original size and shape of the buccal fat pad
• Facial bone structure
• Skin thickness and skin elasticity
• Age-related facial volume changes
• Whether other procedures are performed at the same time
• Post-operative swelling during early healing

Early swelling can make it difficult to judge the result. The cheeks may initially appear fuller before they begin to settle. Most swelling improves within the first weeks, but the final facial contour can take several months to become clear.

Jawline After Buccal Fat Removal

A more defined jawline after buccal fat removal is a common goal, but the procedure does not directly remove fat from the jawline or tighten loose neck skin. Instead, reducing lower-cheek fullness may make the transition from the cheeks toward the jaw appear more visible in selected patients.

The degree of jawline definition depends on several factors:

• The natural shape of the jawbone
• The amount of lower-cheek fat
• Chin projection
• Skin firmness
• Fat beneath the chin
• The size of the chewing muscles
• Overall body weight

Patients seeking a stronger jawline may need a different or additional treatment. For example, submental liposuction may address fat beneath the chin, while chin enhancement may improve projection in selected cases. A surgeon should explain whether cheek reduction surgery alone is likely to meet the patient’s goal.

Buccal Fat Removal Aging Impact

The buccal fat pads do not grow back once they have been removed. Facial fat also tends to decrease and shift naturally with age. For this reason, the buccal fat removal aging impact should be discussed carefully before surgery.

Some people retain a rounder facial appearance as they age and may continue to be satisfied with reduced lower-cheek fullness. Others may naturally lose facial volume over time, which can make the cheeks look more hollow. This concern is particularly relevant for younger patients and people who already have lean or narrow facial features.

For patients concerned about long-term facial volume loss, facial fat transfer may be discussed as a way to restore or balance volume in the cheeks, temples, or other areas.

Questions about 10 years after buccal fat removal cannot be answered in exactly the same way for every patient. Long-term appearance depends on normal aging, weight changes, skin quality, genetics, and how much fat was removed. A conservative approach that preserves facial balance may reduce the risk of an overly hollow appearance later in life.

Patients should avoid making this decision based only on current facial-slimming trends. A permanent procedure should support the person’s long-term facial proportions, not only a short-term cosmetic preference.

Buccal Fat Removal Recovery

Buccal fat removal recovery is usually shorter than recovery after more extensive facial surgery, but the mouth incisions still need time to heal. Swelling, tenderness, bruising, mild numbness, and a feeling of tightness in the cheeks can occur during the first days.

A surgeon may recommend a liquid or soft-food diet for a short period because chewing can irritate the inner-cheek incisions. Patients may also receive a special mouth rinse to help keep the area clean and reduce the risk of infection.

During the first stage of recovery, patients may be advised to:

• Eat soft foods and avoid sharp, spicy, or hard foods
• Use prescribed mouth rinses as directed
• Take pain medication only as recommended
• Sleep with the head slightly elevated
• Avoid strenuous exercise until cleared by the surgeon
• Avoid smoking, vaping, and nicotine products
• Attend scheduled follow-up appointments

Buccal fat removal recovery time varies from person to person. Many patients can return to desk-based work and light activities after about five to seven days, although visible swelling may remain. Internal healing usually takes around three weeks, while the final result may take longer as the facial tissues settle.

Buccal Fat Removal Risks

Buccal fat removal is generally considered safe when performed by an appropriately trained surgeon, but every surgical procedure involves risks.

Possible buccal fat removal risks include:

• Bleeding or bruising
• Infection inside the mouth
• Prolonged swelling
• Temporary or persistent numbness
• Uneven healing or facial asymmetry
• Injury to a salivary duct, which carries saliva into the mouth
• Injury to branches of the facial nerve, which can affect facial movement
• Scarring or delayed healing inside the mouth
• Dissatisfaction with the cosmetic result
• Excessive hollowing if too much cheek fat is removed
• Need for revision treatment in selected cases

Patients should contact their surgical team if they develop fever, worsening redness, pus, excessive bleeding, severe pain, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, or swelling that becomes significantly worse rather than gradually improving.

Choosing a qualified plastic surgeon, sharing complete medical information, following recovery instructions, and allowing enough time for healing are important parts of reducing avoidable risks.

Buccal Fat Removal Cost and Price Considerations

Buccal fat removal cost in Turkey or any other country can vary widely because the total price may include more than the surgeon’s fee. It may also depend on the city, hospital or clinic setting, anesthesia method, whether other procedures are combined, pre-operative tests, medications, and follow-up care.

When comparing buccal fat removal price options, patients should ask what is included in the treatment plan. A lower advertised price may not include anesthesia, facility charges, tests, medication, post-operative visits, or support for international travel.

Patients should not choose surgical cheek reduction based on cost alone. The surgeon’s qualifications, hospital standards, safety protocols, treatment planning, and availability of follow-up care are essential considerations.

Buccal Fat Removal in Turkey at Medical Park

Medical Park Hospitals provide a trusted hospital setting with JCI-accredited facilities in multiple locations, established safety protocols, dedicated anesthesia teams, and access to intensive care if needed. Expert plastic surgeons from the Plastic Surgery departments at Medical Park perform buccal fat removal as part of a broader facial and body contouring practice, supporting consistent technique and careful patient selection.

Buccal fat removal in Turkey at Medical Park begins with an individualized assessment of facial shape, cheek volume, skin quality, health history, and long-term goals. The aim is to determine whether buccal fat removal surgery is appropriate or whether another facial-slimming approach would better address the concern.

For international patients, the process can include review of available medical records, consultation coordination, pre-operative assessment, hospital-based surgical care, and recovery guidance before travel home. Patients should plan enough time in Turkey for early follow-up and follow the surgeon’s advice about flying, physical activity, diet, and oral hygiene after surgery.

A careful consultation is especially important because bichectomy is permanent. Medical Park plastic surgeons can explain the expected benefits and limitations of buccal fat removal, discuss alternative procedures where relevant, and help patients make an informed decision based on their individual facial anatomy.

Multilingual services for international patients are available throughout the journey, from initial inquiry and consultation to discharge planning and follow-up guidance. This coordinated approach is designed to make the experience more convenient for patients traveling from abroad and to support safe, well-planned treatment aimed at the best possible results.

To learn more about the range of aesthetic and reconstructive procedures available to international patients, you can read our comprehensive guide to plastic surgery in Turkey.