THEthe Buccal Fat Removal it is one of the most talked about aesthetic interventions in recent times. There is an abundance of videos on social media showing “before and after” faces and whose testimonies she gave herself sharper features and well-defined cheekboneshelping to transform this procedure into a truly global trend. It’s one minimally invasive surgical technique that removes some of the cheek fat through a small incision inside the mouth, with the aim of making the face slimmer and more sculpted. But what does removing the Bichat bubble really entail? And, above all, is it a suitable intervention for everyone?
Buccal Fat Removal: what does the operation that “flashes” the face consist of
“The buccal fat removalor bichectomy, is a mini-invasive aesthetic surgery that allows you to reduce the volume of buccal fat, giving the face a more tapered and less “plump” appearance» begins to explain Raffaele Rauso, vice president of FIME, maxillofacial and plastic-aesthetic surgeon.
«The procedure takes place under local anesthesia, possibly accompanied by light sedation, and involves a small incision inside the mouth through which the surgeon reaches the Bichat bubble by passing between the fibers of the buccinator muscle. From here only the necessary amount of adipose tissue is removed in a controlled manner, making large be careful not to damage the delicate branches of the facial nerve”.
«Once the extraction is complete, the incision is sutured and the patient can quickly return to his activities. The operation lasts on average about half an hour per side»
What characteristics should the face have
«The intervention of buccal fat removal is indicated when the face has a particular roundness or marked fullness in the cheek areacharacteristics that make the profile less defined. It is also important that the tissues are young and toned, because this allows for a more harmonious and predictable result” continues the expert.
Another sign that can orient you towards the procedure is «la discrepancy between the middle third and the lower third of the faceoften accompanied by a slightly “bulky” in the buccal region, i.e. a sensation of excessive volume in the central part of the cheeks” continues the surgeon.
Bella Hadid’s face before and after buccal fat removal surgery (Credits: GettyImages)
With age, the face naturally loses volume
«One of the most important aspects to evaluate before choosing this procedure, which is highly requested today by those who want a sharper face, are possible aesthetic consequences. Over the years, for example, the face naturally tends to lose volume especially in the middle and lower third. If the buccal fat is removed excessively, this physiological emptying can be accentuated, giving the cheeks a more sunken appearance and highlighting lines and folds such as the nasogeniene or the crease between the mouth and chin.”
In some cases the face may even appear “hollowed”, that is, too deep. To avoid these unwanted outcomes, the initial evaluation is essential: the doctor must analyze with pay attention to the structure of the face, the quality of the tissues and the natural evolution of the volumes, to understand if the procedure is indicated and how much of the Bichat bubble to remove. This is why it is advisable to turn to specialists with solid experience in medicine and aesthetic surgery, able to predict the impact of the operation in the long term and to guarantee a harmonious and natural result” specifies the expert.
Buccal Fat Removal: the least invasive alternatives
Are there less invasive alternatives? «Yes and no. When the face appears round simply due to excess weight, the first alternative is to intervene on the lifestyle and aim to normalize body weight.”
Other less invasive solutions do not allow the volume of the Bichat bubble to be directly reducedbut they can create a more defined optical effect: «that’s what it’s called “camouflage”. In practice the cheek is not deflated, but the volumes of the nearby areas are slightly increased – for example cheekbones or jaw line – so as to rebalance the proportions and make the central part of the face seem less prominent. However, it is a strategy with very limited indications, because it doesn’t really replace buccal fat reduction and it works only in selected cases” continues the expert.
Cost of surgery and duration of post-op
“The cost of bichectomy can vary depending on the medical center and the professionals involved, but generally it is between 4,000 and 5,000 eurosconsidering the operating room, the surgical team, the anesthetist and the subsequent checks.”
“The post-surgery is relatively simple: in the first few days it is normal to feel swelling and a little soreness, which tend to reduce over the course of a week. A slight temporary asymmetry may also appear. For 3-5 days we recommend a soft diet based on foods that are easy to chew and swallow, which do not irritate the incisions inside the mouth and do not require intense movements of the oral muscles.”
«It is important to maintain very careful oral hygiene, with the use of an antibacterial mouthwash to prevent infections. Light daily activities can be resumed within 24–48 hours, while for sports it is best to wait about a week. No special skin care is necessary because the incisions are made inside the oral cavity and therefore do not require external skin treatments” concludes FIME vice president, Raffaele Rauso.