What Is Bichectomy?
Bichectomy, one of the cosmetic procedures most often chosen by people seeking an ideal facial appearance, is performed to bring the facial contours into better proportion. In some cases, a person may look overweight because of the amount of fat in their face, even if they are at their ideal body weight.
The fat tissue located in the middle of the cheeks is called buccal fat. This fat, which sits between the facial muscles, is anatomically located below the cheekbones and is thought to help babies with sucking. The size of this fat pad is one of the main factors affecting the size of the face. Buccal fat generally tends to decrease with age.
Buccal fat is one of the important elements of facial aesthetics. When this tissue enlarges, people may notice their facial contours becoming rounder, their cheeks sagging or a ‘baby face’ appearance. Removing the fat from the cheeks, known as ‘partial buccal lipectomy’, is considered an important surgical procedure for facial contours and aesthetics.
Buccal fat may be excessive due to a person’s natural build or as a result of ageing. The fat pads inside the cheeks, which create what is often called ‘chubby cheeks’, can make a person look older or heavier than they are.
Bichectomy is often chosen by people who want a sharper, triangular-shaped face. Fat tissue is removed through an incision of about 1 cm on the inside of the cheek, allowing the facial contours to be slimmed. The procedure leaves no visible scar on the skin and can also correct asymmetry in the cheek area. It sharpens the facial contours and makes the cheekbones and jawline more defined.