What is Bichectomy?

Cheek aesthetic surgery, which is applied to give a sharper appearance to the facial lines, is called bichectomy. This procedure, also known as the Hollywood cheek, has been frequently preferred recently.

In patients undergoing bichectomy procedure, the face shape that is located between the cheekbones and the chin, also known as the youth triangle, and has an inverted triangle appearance, is achieved. Thus, it is possible to eliminate the disproportionate appearance of the facial lines. Thanks to the bichectomy procedure performed to sharpen the facial features, the golden ratio can be achieved. Thus, the person can have a more attractive, youthful, and aesthetic-looking face. Bichectomy operation is generally preferred by people who have a square and U type face but want to obtain a V type face. 

One of the elements that directly affects the appearance of the face is the cheeks. Although some people have their ideal weight, the fat ratio in the facial structure may cause the person to look overweight. In such cases, the bichectomy procedure can be used to make the facial features proportional. The adipose tissue in the middle of the cheeks is called buccal adipose tissue. Buccal adipose tissue is located in the middle of the facial muscles and is located in the lower region of the cheekbones. The size of this adipose tissue has a direct effect on the face size of the person. Buccal adipose tissue on the cheeks of people tends to decrease due to aging.

Buccal adipose tissue is one of the most important elements that make up a person’s facial aesthetics. The growth of buccal adipose tissue can lead to rounding of the facial features of the person, drooping of the cheeks or the appearance of a baby face. 

Fat tissue, also called buccal adipose tissue, may be much more than normal, depending on structural features or aging. This appearance is also called chubby cheeks, and the fat pads in the cheek can make the person look more overweight or older than they are. Bichectomy surgery is a procedure frequently used by people who want to have a sharp triangular facial appearance. 

How is Bichectomy Performed?

Recently, it has been accepted that one of the most basic conditions of having an aesthetic appearance is the thinness of the face. Bichectomy surgery, which is applied to have a thinner and oval face structure, is performed by creating a small incision in the cheek of the patient. Excess fat tissue in the area is removed from the incision. Thus, it is ensured that the person has thinner cheeks and a prominent cheekbone appearance.

The main purpose of bichectomy surgery, also known as cheek thinning, is to create a small incision in the cheek and thus remove the fat tissue in the area. With the removal of the adipose tissue, the person’s face becomes thinner and its lines become sharper. In other words, the facial structure is made into an inverted triangle. 

Bichectomy surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia, but in some cases, general anesthesia may be preferred for the patient. Before starting the operation, the patient’s mouth is cleaned and necessary hygiene is ensured. Thus, the risk of any infection occurring during the surgery is eliminated. After applying local anesthesia, a very small incision is made in the cheeks. Using forceps, the bichat fat bags in the cheek area are removed. After the fat bags are removed, the area is sutured.

Things to Know About Bichectomy

The fat bags called bichat in the cheek area decrease over time, causing volume loss in the area. This situation may cause premature aging on the face of the person and may require bichectomy surgery. Bichectomy, which is an extremely simple operation, plays an important role in making the person have a thinner and longer face. The bichectomy procedure can be used to make the appearance of people who are overweight due to the excess fat mass on their cheeks, although they do not have excess weight, be proportional.

Alcohol and smoking should be reduced for at least 1 week before surgery. Otherwise, the healing process may be adversely affected. Medicines with blood thinning properties should be left under the supervision of a doctor. If the patient has any chronic disease, the doctor should be informed.

Only soft foods and cold drinks should be consumed during the first 3 days after bichectomy surgery. Thus, it may be possible to minimize the risk of bleeding. It is important to gargle and pay attention to oral hygiene for 10 days in order to prevent inflammation after removing the fat bags in the area during the operation.  The patient should take the antibiotics and other drugs prescribed for them regularly. The patient should not take blood thinners during the specified period after the operation. Likewise, smoking and alcohol consumption should be avoided in order not to adversely affect the healing process. A cold press should be applied for 15 minutes every 4 hours for the first 3 following the surgery. Thus, bruises and swelling can be prevented. Mouthwash should be done with salt water every 12 hours for 7 days. For the first 5 days after the operation, the patient should avoid heavy activities that may cause physical strain. At the end of this period, it is possible to return to normal daily activities. Since the incision is made inside the cheek, there is no visible scar from the outside.