Buccal Fat Removal (Bichectomy) — Istanbul
Buccal fat removal (bichectomy) is a short procedure that removes a portion of the buccal fat pad in the lower cheek to reduce roundness and reveal a more sculpted mid-face and cheekbone line. It is performed inside the mouth, so there is no visible scar, usually under local anesthesia with light sedation, and takes about 30–45 minutes.
Contents— 13 sections
What Is Buccal Fat Removal?
The buccal fat pad is a rounded fat compartment that sits in the lower cheek, between the facial muscles. In some people it makes the mid-face look full, round or “babyish”, softening the cheekbone line. Buccal fat removal (bichectomy) removes a measured portion of this pad through a small incision inside the mouth, so the lower cheek becomes less full and the cheekbone and jaw line look more defined.
Because the incision is intraoral, there is no visible external scar. The aim is not an extreme “hollow” look but a natural, balanced refinement. It is often combined with facial implants or fat injection for overall facial contouring, and with a double-chin liposuction when the neck is also full.
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Who Is a Good Candidate — and Who Is Not?
Suitable candidates
- Full, round mid-face that you would like to see more defined
- Prominent buccal fat despite a normal body weight
- Realistic goals and stable weight
- Good general and oral health
Situations to reconsider
- Naturally thin or narrow face (risk of a gaunt, aged look)
- Older age with already reduced facial fat
- Active dental/gum infection
- Expectation of a very extreme “sunken” result
Because the face loses volume with age, a conservative removal is safer and ages more gracefully than an aggressive one.
What Is Your Main Goal?
Select the outcome you most want and see preliminary guidance. This is preliminary information; a definitive assessment is made in consultation.
👉 Tap the option that fits you best — you will instantly see guidance and a WhatsApp link.
This tool is for information only; suitability and the amount removed are determined only in consultation.
Face-Shape Test: Which Looks Most Like You?
Choose the face closest to your own. You will get a tailored idea of how suitable buccal fat removal is and what to expect. This is a self-assessment, not a diagnosis.
👉 Tap the face that looks most like you — the recommendation appears instantly.
Illustrations are schematic. Real suitability and the amount removed are confirmed only by examination.
Where the Buccal Fat Pad Is and How It Works
The buccal fat pad sits deep in the lower cheek. A small incision inside the mouth (near the upper back teeth) reaches it; a measured portion is teased out and removed, and the incision is closed with dissolving stitches — no external scar.
Options to Slim the Face: Quick Comparison
| Option | Best for | Permanence |
|---|---|---|
| Buccal fat removal | Full lower cheeks, cheekbone definition | Permanent |
| Double-chin liposuction | Fullness under the chin / jawline | Permanent |
| Facial slimming (Botox to masseter) | Wide jaw from muscle bulk | Temporary (repeat) |
Buccal fat removal targets cheek fat, not the jaw muscle or the neck; sometimes options are combined for a full contour.
How Is the Procedure Performed? (Step by Step)
- Planning: Cheek fullness, cheekbone line and facial proportions are assessed; the amount to remove is planned conservatively.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia, usually with light sedation for comfort.
- Intraoral incision: A small incision is made inside the cheek near the upper back teeth.
- Fat removal: A measured portion of the buccal fat pad is gently teased out and removed, checking symmetry.
- Closure: The incision is closed with dissolving stitches — no external scar.
- Recovery: You rest briefly and go home the same day; a soft diet and mouth rinses follow.
Your Treatment Journey — From First Message to Result
- 1
Free Pre-Consultation
Share photos and your goals via WhatsApp/form.
- 2
Exam & Planning
Face-shape analysis and how much to remove.
- 3
Preparation
Oral health check and simple pre-op advice.
- 4
Procedure Day
30–45 minutes, local ± sedation, home same day.
- 5
Recovery & Follow-up
Soft diet, rinses, quick return to routine.
- 6
Result
Swelling settles; definition appears over 3–6 months.
Recovery — Day by Day, Week by Week
- 0–3d
Cheek swelling and mild soreness; soft diet and mouth rinses.
- 2–3d
Back to desk work for most patients.
- 1–2 wk
Most swelling eases; normal diet resumes gradually.
- 4–6 wk
Cheeks look settled; contour keeps refining.
- 3–6 mo
Final, sculpted result becomes clear.
After the Procedure: What to Do and What to Avoid
✓ Do
- Use the prescribed antiseptic mouth rinse
- Eat a soft, lukewarm diet for the first days
- Keep the head slightly elevated and use cold packs early
- Keep your follow-up appointments
✕ Avoid
- Smoking and alcohol (delay healing)
- Hot, hard, spicy or crunchy foods early on
- Vigorous exercise for about 2 weeks
- Touching the incision with your tongue or fingers
Possible Risks and What You Should Know
- Over-removal / gaunt look: Taking too much can hollow the face and age it over time — the reason a conservative approach matters.
- Asymmetry: Small differences between the two sides can occur and are usually minor.
- Swelling and bruising: Expected for the first 1–2 weeks and temporary.
- Infection: Rare; good oral hygiene and rinses reduce the risk.
- Nerve or duct injury: Very rare injury to a facial nerve branch or the parotid (salivary) duct; careful technique minimizes it.
Results are permanent because fat cells are removed. Since the face naturally thins with age, planning is deliberately conservative.
What Patients Most Often Ask
“Will there be a visible scar?”
No. The incision is inside the mouth and closed with dissolving stitches, so there is no external scar.
“Is it permanent?”
Yes. The removed fat cells do not return; stable weight keeps the result consistent.
“Will it make me look older later?”
Only if too much is removed. A conservative, measured reduction keeps the face natural as it ages.
“Can it be combined with other procedures?”
Yes — often with cheek implants, fat transfer or a double-chin liposuction for a full contour.
“When will I see the result?”
Swelling settles over a couple of weeks; the final, defined contour appears within 3–6 months.
Expected Change (Medical Illustration)
By law, the surgeon cannot share real patient photos. The schematic illustration below shows the typical front-view change: from full, round lower cheeks to a more defined cheek and jaw line.
Patient Experiences
“My cheeks always looked full even though I am slim. The change is subtle but exactly what I wanted — my cheekbones finally show, and no one can tell I had anything done.”
— D. K., Istanbul
“I was worried about looking too hollow, but Dr. Çetinkaya kept it natural. Recovery was easy and there is no scar at all.”
— S. A., 2026
Why Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya?
Patients From Abroad / Out of Town
We host patients from 30 countries. The remote process is planned around a single goal: you just come, we coordinate the rest.
Remote Pre-Assessment
Initial planning by photos and an online consultation.
Travel & Stay
Transfer and accommodation coordination.
Short Program
A quick day-case procedure in Istanbul.
Follow-up & Language
Remote follow-up and English-language support.
Weight Loss, “Ozempic Face” and When NOT to Do It
Rapid weight loss — including from medications such as semaglutide, the so-called “Ozempic face” — already thins the cheeks and mid-face. If your face has recently become gaunt or hollow, removing buccal fat can over-thin it and add years to your appearance. In that situation, restoring volume with fat transfer is usually the better choice, not removal.
Buccal fat removal is designed for a genuinely full, round lower cheek at a stable weight — not for a face that is already slim or changing quickly. Because facial fat keeps decreasing with age, we plan conservatively so the result still looks natural at 40 and beyond.
Buccal Fat Removal Price (2026): Transparent Information
A firm price is given after examination, because the amount removed, whether it is combined with other procedures and clinic conditions vary per person.
Usually included in the package
- Surgeon and clinic fee
- Local anesthesia (± sedation)
- Post-procedure medication and rinses
- Follow-up check-ups
Be cautious of unrealistically low prices; safety and follow-up should be your priority.
Appointment & Contact
Quick Appointment
WhatsApp is fastest: send a front and side photo and your goal, and we reply within minutes.
Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya Aesthetic Surgery Clinic
📍 Barbaros Mah. Başak Cengiz Sok. Varyap Meridian B Blok No:2 D:5, Ataşehir / Istanbul
📞 +90 532 663 43 60 · ✉️ bilgi@dralicetinkaya.com
🕘 Monday–Saturday 09:00–18:00
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buccal fat removal reversible if too much is taken?
What is the right age for buccal fat removal?
How long does buccal fat removal take?
Is there a visible scar?
When can I return to work?
Is the result permanent?
Will it make me look older in the future?
When will I see the final result?
Can it be combined with other procedures?
Glossary
- Bichectomy
- The medical name for buccal fat pad removal.
- Buccal fat pad
- A rounded fat compartment in the lower cheek.
- Intraoral incision
- An incision inside the mouth, leaving no external scar.
- Mid-face
- The cheek region between the eyes and the mouth.
- Parotid duct
- The salivary duct near the cheek that is carefully avoided.
- Contouring
- Shaping facial proportions, sometimes by combining procedures.
