Duration
45 min – 1 hr
Type of anesthesia
Local anesthesia or sedation
Clinic stay
Outpatient
Social downtime
5-7 days
Price
from CHF 4,000
Bichectomy Objectives
Bichectomy aims to refine and sculpt the facial oval by delicately removing Bichat’s fat pads, which are excess fat deposits located in the cheeks.
It is a simple and effective surgical procedure that allows for hollower cheeks and a more harmonious and better defined facial contour, especially around the cheekbones and jawline.
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The procedure involves removing Bichat’s fat pads, excess fat located in the cheeks, to refine the face and enhance the cheekbones and facial oval.
The removal of Bichat’s fat pads can be performed alone or combined with other aesthetic procedures, such as a cervicofacial lift or lipostructure, for overall rejuvenation and a perfectly sculpted face.
Aesthetic objective: to preserve the natural expression of the face while refining the features, for an elegant, subtle, and harmonious result.
Who is Bichectomy for?
Bichectomy is ideal for those who wish to refine their cheeks and enhance the facial oval.
This surgery is particularly suitable for individuals with round cheeks or undefined cheekbones, who desire a more sculpted and elegant face.
The removal of Bichat’s fat pads subtly hollows the cheeks, enhances the cheekbones, and reveals the natural contours of the face, for a harmonious and refined result.
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Blepharoplasty of the upper eyelids will remove the skin excess that gives the impression of drooping eyelids. Blepharoplasty of the lower eyelids is indicated when the eyelids are droopy and withered, with small horizontal wrinkles resulting from skin distension. The other indication is to remove fatty hernias that form unwanted bags under the eyes.
Your surgeon may combine other procedures in the event of associated imperfections in the gaze. It is sometimes advised to consider a lipostructure (lipofilling) of the eyelids and the middle third of the face to harmonize the different parts of the face.
Blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure that can involve risks and complications. A first consultation with your surgeon is essential to know if this intervention is adapted to your particular situation.
Before and after pictures
Bichectomy Procedure
Bichectomy allows for lasting refinement and harmonization of your facial contours. The results are permanent and contribute to enhancing your natural expression.
To ensure optimal healing and a result that meets your expectations, it is essential to carefully follow your surgeon’s recommendations.
Bichectomy Video
Before the intervention
During the first consultation, your surgeon will take the time to listen to your expectations and understand your motivations. A careful examination of the cheek area, skin, and entire face will be performed. This analysis will determine if bichectomy is the most suitable solution for your expectations or if other options could be considered.
In some cases, it may be recommended to consult a dental surgeon or another specialist to ensure the absence of dental, muscular, or joint problems that could influence the result.
Anesthesia
Generally, the removal of Bichat’s fat pads is performed on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia, sometimes with sedation.
However, in rare cases, a general anaesthetic will be offered. The choice of the technique will be made between you, your anesthesiologist and your surgeon.
A consultation with your anesthesiologist will take place a few days before your procedure.
The day of the procedure
For a bichectomy, the incision is made inside the mouth, at the level of the buccal mucosa, thus avoiding any visible scar on the skin.
Through this opening, Bichat’s fat pad (a deep fat deposit in the cheek) is partially removed to refine and reshape the facial oval. The amount extracted is tailored to each patient to preserve the harmony and natural balance of the features.
The procedure can be combined with other aesthetic facial procedures to optimize the result (neck liposuction, cervicofacial lift, lipofilling, etc.).
The sutures, made with absorbable thread, disappear spontaneously within a few days. The procedure typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes and is most often performed under local anesthesia or sedation, with the patient returning home the same day.
After the procedure
Bichectomy is a minor procedure with minimal post-operative pain, but may be characterized by cheek swelling and increased sensitivity in the first few days.
A soft or liquid diet is recommended for 24 to 48 hours to promote healing and avoid any tension on the sutures. Regular mouth rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash is prescribed to maintain good oral hygiene. Since the threads used are absorbable, they disappear spontaneously within about ten days.
Swelling gradually decreases within one to two weeks, while the final result is appreciated after a few months, once the tissues have stabilized. Social and professional downtime is generally short, from 2 to 5 days depending on the type of activity.
Manual lymphatic drainage performed by our expert physiotherapist, then complemented by Endermologie® sessions, are highly recommended to accelerate the reduction of swelling and optimize the final result. We can also offer LED therapy treatments to reduce swelling and accelerate healing.
Results
A period of three to six months is necessary to fully appreciate the result of a bichectomy. This time allows the tissues to regain their suppleness, for the swelling to completely disappear, and for the facial contours to be harmoniously reshaped.
The procedure most often refines the lower part of the face, provides more definition to the cheekbones, and enhances the facial oval. The face thus gains lightness and balance, while maintaining a natural appearance.
The results are long-lasting, as Bichat’s fat pads do not regenerate. However, natural aging, weight loss, or weight gain can alter the appearance of the face over time.
The goal of this procedure is to provide a subtle and harmonious improvement, not to radically transform the features. With realistic expectations, the result usually provides great satisfaction.
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Bichectomy FAQs
Around the surgery
The first consultation
The first appointment is essential to identify your needs and expectations. Our specialists will take all the necessary time to understand your demand and offer you the best advice.
Anesthesia
Sensitive to the potentially traumatic dimension of any operation, Laclinic's doctors pay close attention to pain management to make the operation as comfortable and safe as possible.
Your stay
Laclinic is committed to welcoming its guests with friendliness and discretion. The quality of service is worthy of a five-star hotel.
Associated treatments
For even more harmonious results, this procedure can be combined with a cervicofacial lift, genioplasty, or even filler injections, skinboosters, or laser and LED treatments during the postoperative period.
Eye rejuvenation without surgery
Before the age of 40, blepharoplasty is usually unnecessary unless genetic factors have accelerated the formation of puffiness or drooping eyelids.
Hyaluronic acid injections, resorbable tensor threads and botulinum toxin are non-invasive alternatives that are effective to lift the eyebrows, open up the look and reduce dark circles and crow’s feet.
