La cheek surgery is intended for both men and women of all ages. It is a procedure that many people resort to, especially models and movie stars.
Depending on individual body shape and age, cheeks can be too large, too hollow, or even too wrinkled. Several treatments exist today that can refine facial features and improve proportions.
The appearance of the cheeks being a main element in facial aesthetics, the interventions of cheek surgery The purpose of these procedures is generally to reduce or increase the volume of the cheeks, reduce or increase the cheekbones, rejuvenate the cheeks and treat wrinkles, or create dimples.
There are many interventions, and depending on the patient's wishes, the doctor performs:
- Hollow cheek fillers: This procedure is intended for people whose cheeks have insufficient fat volume, resulting in excessively hollow cheeks. The procedure involves filling the cheeks with either hyaluronic acid injections or re-injecting fat using micro-lipofilling. The patient's choice is based on their preference for a permanent or temporary result, as well as their preference for medical or surgical treatment.
- Treatment of cheek wrinkles: Wrinkles appear as a result of many factors (aging, significant weight loss, smoking, sun exposure, etc.). Depending on the condition of the facial skin, the patient can opt for different treatments, including hyaluronic acid injections, skin boosters, lasers, lipofilling, or even facelifts, which are generally performed when skin sagging is severe.
- Facial liposuction: Only suitable for people who have sufficient fat under the skin.
- The reduction of Bichat balls, also called the Bichectomy.
What is bichectomy?
Bichectomy consists of the reduction of Bichat balls. These are masses of fat located in the cheeks and extending to the temples. They give the face a round and full shape. The size of Bichat balls varies from one person to another. The larger they are, the more they give a plump appearance to the cheeks. By performing a bichectomy, the Bichat balls are reduced and consequently the cheeks are hollowed and the face is more refined.
However, it's important to know that it's not possible to remove Bichat's balls in their entirety. Fatty tissue naturally melts with age. For aesthetic reasons, the surgeon keeps some of it to avoid a hollow face marked by denser wrinkles as we age.
How is bichectomy performed?
To realize the reduction of Bichat balls, the patient must of course first consult the surgeon to discuss his expectations and the expected result. The preliminary appointment is therefore essential to give the patient time to express what he expects as a result of such an intervention.
Once the request and appointment have been confirmed, the surgical procedure only takes 30 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, under local anesthesia. The incision is made inside the cheeks. A portion of each Bichat ball is removed (between 3 and 5 cm² of fat mass). The incisions are then closed using absorbable sutures, which will not cause any visible scarring afterwards.
The patient leaves the clinic without a bandage, with a simple thread in the mouth on both sides of the cheeks. Sometimes, some swelling persists two or three days after the procedure, but it disappears fairly quickly with a drainage massage. The doctor also prescribes painkillers to treat postoperative pain. Slight swelling of the cheeks may also be noticed, but it disappears fairly quickly (only a few days after the operation).
It should be noted that follow-up with the doctor is essential during the few days following the procedure, in order to rule out any risk of infection. A specific diet, regular mouthwashes and good oral hygiene are required for a little over a week after the operation.
Result of the reduction of Bichat balls
The result of the bichectomy becomes visible quite quickly, but the final result is obtained after 3 months when all the swelling has subsided. Thus, the volume of the cheeks will be reduced and the face will be better defined, with more prominent cheekbones and more angular and harmonious features. Adored by Hollywood stars for its infallible result, the bichectomy is also called "Hollywood Cheek". If you too would like to improve the proportions of your face and reshape your cheekbones, to have Hollywood star cheeks, please consult one of our experts to learn more about cheek surgery.