Bichectomy (Buccal Fat Removal) in Istanbul: A Complete Patient Guide
Bichectomy removes a measured portion of the buccal fat pad through a small incision inside the mouth (no external scar). It sculpts the lower face for genetically full cheeks — but is not a weight-loss tool. Done well, it produces a refined contour. Done poorly or in the wrong patient, it can age a face prematurely. Procedure takes 30–40 minutes under local anesthesia, recovery is 5–7 days, results emerge over 8–12 weeks. Cost in Istanbul: €1,200–€2,000.
Bichectomy — also called buccal fat removal — has gone from a niche cosmetic procedure to one of the most-requested operations in facial aesthetics. Done well, it sculpts the lower face into a more defined, slimmer shape. Done poorly, it can age a face prematurely. Here's the honest patient guide.
What is the buccal fat pad?
Each cheek contains a discrete pocket of fat — the buccal fat pad — that sits below the cheekbone and behind the corner of the mouth. In some faces, particularly genetically full lower faces, this pad gives a “rounded” or “chubby” appearance even when the patient is at a healthy weight. Bichectomy removes a measured portion of this pad.
Who is a good candidate?
The ideal candidate is between 20 and 45, at a stable weight, with naturally rounded lower cheeks that diet and exercise haven't been able to change. The procedure is not a treatment for general weight loss in the face. It's a contouring tool.
Who should NOT have it
Patients with naturally narrow faces, very thin patients, and patients over 45 (when natural fat loss is starting) should be cautious. Removing buccal fat from a face that doesn't have a surplus produces a hollowed, prematurely aged appearance that is difficult to reverse.
How the procedure works
Bichectomy is performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation, typically as a 30–40 minute outpatient procedure. The surgeon makes a small incision inside the mouth (no external scar), removes a precisely measured portion of the fat pad, and closes with dissolving sutures. You walk out the same day.
Recovery
Swelling is usually moderate for 5–7 days. You'll be told to eat soft foods, rinse with antiseptic mouthwash, and sleep elevated for the first few nights. Most patients return to work within a week. Final results emerge over 8–12 weeks as residual swelling resolves.
What it pairs well with
Bichectomy is often combined with chin augmentation, jawline fillers, or rhinoplasty for a more comprehensive lower-face refinement. Many international patients in Istanbul request it as an add-on to nose surgery, since recovery overlaps.
Risks
Real but rare: infection (less than 1%), temporary numbness (resolves within weeks), parotid duct injury (very rare in skilled hands), and asymmetry. The most common “complication” is regret — usually because too much fat was removed, or because the patient wasn't a good candidate to begin with.
The principle: remove less than you think. A good bichectomy is one that almost no one notices except you — and your face simply looks more refined, not “operated.”
Book a Personal Consultation
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Request Appointment Message on WhatsAppFrequently Asked Questions
Will I have a visible scar?
No — the incision is inside the mouth and heals invisibly.
Is bichectomy reversible?
No. Removed fat does not regenerate. This is why conservative removal matters.
How long until I can return to work?
Most patients return to work in 5–7 days.
Can bichectomy be combined with rhinoplasty?
Yes — recovery overlaps and adds minimal time to surgery.
