Bichectomy Surgery
What is Bichectomy Surgery?
The bichectomy procedure, popularly known as the Hollywood cheek, is a simple plastic surgery based on the removal of fat from the cheeks. Bichectomy, which is defined as cheek aesthetics, provides a more prominent cheekbone and chin view, providing patients with a thinner, more shaped appearance. In bichectomy operations, the disproportions in the facial features of the patients are removed. While aiming for the aesthetic image known as the golden ratio, the patients have a sharper, more aesthetic, and attractive face.
Who are suitable candidates for bichectomy?
Bichectomy surgery, or in other words, cheek aesthetics, can be applied to men and women who have a lot of fat on their cheeks, whose facial features are not clear, who have chubby cheeks, and who look fat because of their faces, and who have thick facial features. Patients may have V-shaped facial features after surgery. Although male and female patients over the age of 18 are suitable for surgery, some surgeons choose this age because the facial features of the patients are completed at the age of 25. As a general rule, the mid-20s to early 30s is a suitable range.
Bichectomy may not be suitable for everyone. It is not recommended for patients who are outside the normal weight range, especially since weight gain or loss will significantly affect the facial line. Click to find out BMI. In people with thin facial features, further thinning of that area with bichectomy results in a collapse in the cheeks in later times. Bichectomy is generally not recommended in elderly people (over 45 years of age), it may bring signs of aging to the fore. In short, suitable properties can be listed as follows.
- Be physically healthy
- Have a healthy body weight
- A round and full-face structure
- Having realistic expectations about the appearance of the cheek after the operation
- Not using tobacco
What should you do before bichectomy ?
Before bichectomy surgery, our patients are examined by our plastic surgeons. Our patients should clearly state their expectations from the operation during the examination and ask all the questions in their minds. In addition, patients should inform our doctors about the operations they have undergone, the drugs they use, and their diseases. During this process, our physicians may intervene in patients’ medications and may ask you to stop some of your medications.
Aspirin or blood thinning drug usage should be stopped. If there is smoking and alcohol usage, it should be stopped at least 2 weeks in advance. In this process, the patient can start a healthy diet and exercise program and shorten the postoperative recovery period.
How is bichectomy surgery done & How long does it take to stay in the hospital & Which anesthesia method is used?
Bichectomy surgery is an intervention that takes an average of 30 minutes under local anesthesia. The patient is discharged on the same day. During the surgery, a 1 cm incision is made on the inside of the cheek. Fat bags called Bichat are removed from the opened incision. Performing this procedure does not cause any loss of function on the face. The incision area is closed with absorbable sutures and the surgery is terminated. Since the incision remains in the mouth, there is no visible scar. There is no need for special drainage tubes and eye clothes after the surgery. With this procedure, surgeons aim for a symmetrical, V-shaped, more aesthetic facial appearance.
Post-Surgery Process
The recovery period for each patient varies, but within 14 days after the operation, improvements are observed in the patients.
Swelling and Bruising
It is normal for patients to have swelling and bruising on the face after surgery. It is recommended that patients stay with a bandage for at least 2 hours after surgery. This bandage will prevent swelling and bruising. They should keep their head in an upright position for 2 weeks. Again, swelling can be minimized with 15-minute cold compressions every 4 hours for the first 3 days after surgery.
Oral Hygiene and Nutrition
The incision opened during the operation heals within 1 week under normal conditions. It is very important to protect the mouth sutures from infection for rapid healing after the operation. Antibiotics should be used with the recommendation of the doctor. Smoking and alcohol should not be used for mouth cleaning. You can gargle with salt water and medicines given by your doctor every 12 hours for 7 days. Our doctor will give detailed information about tooth brushing and oral care.
After bichectomy, nutrition should be started with soft foods first. Food should be chewed slowly. It will reduce the possibility of possible bleeding in cold and soft foods. After soft foods, you should gradually switch to solid foods, but this may take a few days. Our doctor will determine the appropriate time for you.
Sunshine
One of the most important issues in the healing process is the necessity of not being exposed to the sun. Patients should not neglect to use protective equipment, especially.
Return to normal life and appearance
- Patients should avoid heavy and physical activities for 5 days after surgery. During this time, they can do simple exercises such as walking to accelerate recovery. They should protect your face from blows during the healing process. At the end of 5 days, they can continue their normal lives.
- The incisions in the mouth of the patients heal within a week. Although edema formation is considered normal, regression occurs within 2 weeks at the latest. After the surgery, the face takes a better shape and looks thinner, but it is necessary to wait 2-4 months to see the full effects of the bichectomy. To have a good recovery, you must follow the above recommendations.