Bichectomy (buccal fat removal)
Maybe you didn’t know what it was called but you know the principle: sculpted cheeks!
Bichat’s fat pad is mass of fat in your cheek, just below your cheekbones. It’s what gives some people a “chubby” or “round” appearance, which diet is unlikely to alter.
First things first
A dental surgeon will examine you to determine whether you’re eligible for this procedure, evaluate your medical condition, and plan the treatment. It’s also important to measure the size of the Bichat fat pads and determine the procedure needed to remove them. You may need premedication.
Bichectomy at the Dental Hygiene Clinic
The procedure takes place under local anaesthesia (like cavity removal). We remove these pads of fat to re-sculpt the face and create a harmonious appearance: the cheeks seem thinner, the cheekbones higher, and the proportions are improved.
The results are immediate, with mild postoperative effects: no need to take any time off. We use fine sutures that we’ll need to remove a week after the treatment.
Recommandations
After the procedure, we’ll give you recommendations for cleaning your mouth and maintaining proper dental hygiene. You’ll then be able to reveal your newly sculpted cheeks to the rest of the world (you can start with your friends and family, of course).
More and more patients are asking us for buccal fat removal: it’s the least invasive and most effective method to balance your facial features, with almost immediate effects. You don’t need to take any time off since you can go back to work the next day!
Dresse Schaer, Surgeon – CHD Lausanne.
PRICING
On estimate after evaluation starting at 2900.-
You can pay by invoice and in instalments.
What is cheek reduction surgery?
Cheek reduction surgery is a cosmetic surgery that partially removes the buccal fat pads from inside your cheeks. This non-invasive procedure is permanent and can slim your cheeks for a sleeker, more sculpted face in a single session.
More specifically, your cheekbones will look higher, your cheeks will be hollower, and the angle of your jaw on each side, called the gonial angle, will be sharper. Those features match current beauty trends and should be defined with your surgeon before your procedure.
Cheek reduction is a great option for people with a round face or “baby cheeks” who want a permanently slimmer face, fast.
The fat in your cheeks is highly resistant to dieting, and even intense long-term calorie reduction will produce only a slight or non-existent slimming effect.
Cheek reduction has become increasingly popular over the past decade, particularly with women.
What are the buccal fat pads?
The buccal fat pads are fat deposits found inside your cheeks. They extend up to your temples and weigh an average of 9 g in adults. They are proportionately much larger in children.
They are responsible for the round or “baby-faced” look that hides the elegance of some patients’ facial features. Their only role is slightly lubricating your chewing muscles and they can be removed without any impact on those muscles.
Buccal fat pads vary in size. That’s why some people have very round faces even when the rest of their body is extremely thin.
Are there risks involved in cheek reduction?
Cheek reduction is a standard operation performed under local anesthesia. Like any surgery, however, it can potentially involve the following risks:
- Temporary bruising due to traction on the muscles during the operation
- Infection, if post-operative protocols are not applied
- A slightly asymmetrical look if the volume removed on each side is not strictly identical
- In extreme cases, damage to the parotid duct, which is responsible for saliva secretion through the cheeks, or the facial nerve. While these complications are extremely rare, we are legally required to disclose them.
How long does recovery take?
Cheek reduction is a minor in-office procedure done under local anesthesia (like a filling), so unlike most cosmetic surgeries, “recovery” is extremely quick. Here’s a quick rundown:
- The procedure takes an average of 30-45 minutes.
- Swelling appears and resolves itself within 2 weeks.
- The sutures are resorbed in 1 to 2 weeks.
Resorption time varies from person to person and non-resorbable sutures may be used. - Results are visible in about 2 weeks.
- Massaging the area will enable faster healing and decrease post-operative swelling.
Recovery is extremely fast and patients describe very limited pain. In fact, many patients say the procedure is less painful than wisdom tooth extraction or dental implants.
The fact that the procedure is virtually painless makes it a great choice for fast, optimal results.