Bichectomy

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Buccal fat removal is a short surgical procedure that removes part of the buccal fat pad — a natural pocket of fat in the lower cheeks — to reduce cheek fullness and enhance facial definition. It’s done through a small incision inside the mouth, so there’s no visible scar, and usually takes 20–40 minutes.

By reducing that lower-cheek volume, the procedure creates a subtle hollowing beneath the cheekbones, making them appear more prominent and the face look slimmer and more contoured. The removed fat cells don’t grow back, so the result is permanent.

Crucially, it only reduces the lower cheeks — it does not address a double chin (that’s double-chin liposuction) or a heavy jaw or neck.

Is Your Cheek Fullness Really Buccal Fat?

Before considering surgery, it’s worth knowing that not all “full cheeks” are buccal fat — and removing the wrong thing won’t help. Cheek fullness can come from several sources:

Who Is — and Isn’t — a Good Candidate?

This is the most important section on the page. Buccal fat removal suits a fairly narrow group of people:

The Ageing Risk — Understand This Before You Book

Here’s what many clinics don’t tell you: as we age, we naturally lose facial fat and volume. If buccal fat is removed and then the face loses more volume with time, the cheeks can look hollow, sunken, and older in later years. This is why the procedure is permanent and cannot be undone.

A look that seems sculpted at 30 can read as gaunt at 45. For this reason, careful patient selection and conservative removal — taking only a small amount of fat — are essential. An honest surgeon errs on the side of removing less.

How the Procedure Works

• Anaesthesia: usually local anaesthesia (sometimes with light sedation) — you’re awake but comfortable.
• Incision: a small cut is made inside the cheek, so there’s no external scar.
• Fat removal: a measured, conservative portion of the buccal fat pad is gently teased out and removed.
• Closure: the incision is closed with dissolvable sutures.

The whole procedure takes around 20–40 minutes and is done as day surgery — you go home the same day.

Recovery Timeline

• First few days: swelling and mild discomfort; a soft diet and good oral hygiene (salt-water rinses) are important.
• Week 1: most people return to work and social life; swelling starts to settle.
• Weeks 2–4: the face can temporarily look fuller from swelling before slimming down.
• 3–6 months: the final, sculpted result appears once all swelling resolves.

Risks and Alternatives

Beyond the long-term ageing concern, possible risks include:

• Over-removal: taking too much fat causes permanent hollowing — the reason conservative removal matters.
• Asymmetry between the two cheeks.
• Infection, bleeding, or (rarely) injury to a salivary duct or facial nerve branch — minimised by an experienced surgeon.
• Swelling and temporary numbness inside the cheek.

Alternatives worth considering: if the goal is definition rather than reduction, jawline filler, a mid-facelift, or double-chin liposuction may suit you better — and some are reversible.

Buccal Fat Removal Cost in Turkey (2026)

Bichectomy in Turkey costs considerably less than in the UK, US, or Western Europe, while surgical standards remain high. The price depends on whether it’s done under local or sedation, and whether it’s combined with other facial procedures.

Why Choose Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya

Op. Dr. Ali Çetinkaya is a Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery specialist in Istanbul who takes a conservative, honest approach to buccal fat removal — removing only what’s needed and openly advising when the procedure isn’t right for you. As a full facial surgeon, he can also offer alternatives like a facelift or mid-facelift where those suit you better. Learn more on the About page or reach the clinic via the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is buccal fat removal permanent?

Yes. The removed fat cells don’t grow back, so the result is permanent — and it cannot be reversed if your preferences change. That’s why careful, conservative removal is so important.

Will buccal fat removal make me look older as I age?

It can if too much is removed or you weren’t a good candidate. Because the face naturally loses volume with age, over-removal can lead to hollow, gaunt cheeks later. Conservative removal in a well-selected patient avoids this.

Is there a visible scar?

No. The incision is made inside the mouth, so there’s no scar on the face.

How long until I see results?

The face may look fuller at first due to swelling. The final, slimmer contour appears over 3–6 months as swelling fully resolves.

Does it help a double chin?

No. Buccal fat removal only slims the lower cheeks. A double chin is treated with liposuction, and jawline definition with filler or a lift.

What’s the recovery like?

Most people return to work within a few days on a soft diet with salt-water rinses. Swelling settles over weeks, with the final result over a few months.

How do I know if my fullness is buccal fat and not just weight?

Buccal fat sits specifically in the lower cheek below the cheekbone and persists even at a healthy, stable weight. General facial fullness that changes with your weight, or fullness at the jaw angle, is not buccal fat. A proper assessment identifies the true cause.

What’s the minimum age for buccal fat removal?

Facial development should be complete, so it’s generally not done on very young patients. More importantly, candidacy depends on your face — a naturally slim face at any age is usually advised against because of the long-term ageing effect.