Bichectomy: indications, risks and more details of the surgery that thin the face

The bichectomy is a surgery to perform the removal of a fat called "Bichat ball", which is on the cheek and, in some people, leaves the face unharmonious.

The technique was described in 1980 and has recently started to be sought by more people. "When a novelty comes it is a big risk because everyone wants to do it, but we must remember that it is a surgery and, like every surgical procedure, can have risks," explains plastic surgeon Noel Lima, from Rio de Janeiro.

According to him, this is a plastic surgery that has only aesthetic function in almost 100% of cases. "It serves to improve the harmony of the face and is not suitable for everyone," he says.


When performed, bichectomy surgery needs to be very detailed, especially since it is necessary to do it on both sides of the face and one cannot take different amounts of fat because it can end up creating a new asymmetry.

For whom the procedure is indicated

Noel explains that bichectomy is suitable for people who have a square face, without the more traditional "V" face shape. Although this fat is part of the human anatomy, in some people it is larger in size. And the bigger it is, the more there will be indication for withdrawal. "The ball of Bichat projects the cheek out and breaks the harmony of the profile of the face", explains the surgeon.

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The search is mostly made by women? from the youngest to the middle aged. Older women don't usually look very hard. "There are people who have, they know they can improve, but they don't want to take it off because they don't care," he says.

How Does Bichectomy Surgery Work?

Although it is a simple surgery, because it is performed in the oral cavity, great care is required when performing the procedures and cleaning, respecting the structures that are next to the ball of Bichat.

The surgery takes between half an hour to 40 minutes. It is the time of placement of a breast prosthesis. An opening is made about 2 to 3 centimeters inside the mouth and the fat is removed, being careful not to injure the nerve and asepsis to not get infection into the face. And there is no hospitalization, can the patient leave a few hours later ?, explains Noel.


Prior to this, it is important that all preoperative examinations such as blood tests and cardiac evaluation are performed. The postoperative also demands care.

“People imagine going to the office, going to take the fat off, close it and that's it. Far from it! The face may be swollen, purple, may not sunbathe for a period, nor do gymnastics for a week to 10 days. The points are absorbed, no need to remove, but have to be careful with oral hygiene ?, says the surgeon.

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8 Frequently Asked Questions About Bichetomy

Some questions are common when a person is deciding whether or not to undergo this surgery. Plastic surgeon Noel Lima clarifies some.

Does the surgery hurt?

No. The bichectomy can be done either with local anesthesia and sedation or with general anesthesia, each doctor does what is most used and are two very well accepted anesthesia. "The layman is afraid when talking about general anesthesia, but it is the safest that exists," says the expert.

Are you minimum age?

Although there are a large number of adolescents seeking bichectomy surgery, the indication is that it should be done only when there is a complete formation of the human anatomy, which happens around 18 years. The doctor says that from this age the anatomy is already fixed, but everything will depend on the professional assessment of each case.

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Can it be done by dentists?

Ideally, the bichectomy should be done by a doctor who specializes in plastic surgery. It is always done in an operating room, in a hospital setting, not in offices. • A maxillofacial surgeon is also jumped to do. But the dentist does not, because he does not study the anatomy of the face as a surgeon ?, explains Lima.

How long does the result appear?

According to Noel, one or two weeks after the surgery is possible to see how the final result was. This timeframe varies depending on the swelling of each person.

Is there a scar?

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The plastic surgeon states that the bichectomy does not leave any kind of scar.And even if there is any sign, it is inside the mouth, no one sees. Isn't that a concern? He says.

Can it disturb the chewing?

Yes. It's a surgery that goes on near a nerve, so there's the risk. And often the diagnosis made of a person who has a bichectomy is a person who has hypertrophy of the muscle in that region, not the ball of Bichat. The evaluation has to be very accurate by the professional, because it is not indicated to correct the chewing, but it can hinder ?, warns.

Can the removed fat come back?

The expert explains that the procedure is not reversible. ÒÀÜDuck, it's over. The fat does not come back. It is not a fat that has to do with weight, with fattening, is a very specific fat ?, he says.

How much does a bichetomy surgery cost?

The values ​​vary for each doctor and can only be informed to a patient during the consultation, as determined by the Board of Plastic Surgery.

According to the doctor, technically bichectomy surgery is simple, as if it were the removal of a tooth, but it is important to always consult a good professional, who will be able to evaluate each case individually and conduct the procedure in the best way. ? If everything is right, the risks are tiny ?, ends.

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