SLIMMER CHEEKS, MODE DEFINED CHEEKBONES AND A NATURALLY CONTOURED FACIAL SHAPE

A naturally sculpted face is not about looking overly thin. It is about balance, proportion and definition. Bichectomy, also known as buccal fat removal or cheek reduction surgery, is a facial contouring procedure designed to reduce fullness in the lower cheek area and create a more defined, elegant and photogenic facial shape.

At Dr. Fatma Soysüren Clinic in Istanbul, bichectomy is planned with a doctor-led approach. Dr. Fatma Soysüren evaluates your cheek fullness, cheekbone structure, jawline, chin balance, skin elasticity, age and long-term facial aging pattern before deciding whether buccal fat removal is truly suitable for you.

Not every full cheek should be treated, and not every face should be made thinner. The goal is a slimmer and more refined facial contour only when your anatomy is suitable.

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Get a Free Online Consultation ; Send Your Photos for Doctor Review

Doctor-Led Facial Analysis ; Your cheek fullness, cheekbones, jawline and facial volume are evaluated together.

No Visible Facial Scar ; In suitable patients, incisions are placed inside the mouth, leaving no visible scar on the face.

Natural Facial Contouring ; Designed to define the face without creating a hollow or over-thinned look.

International Patient Support ; Our team supports your online consultation, travel planning and aftercare in Istanbul.

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WHAT IS BICHECTOMY (BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL)?

Bichectomy is a cosmetic surgical procedure that removes part of the buccal fat pad, a natural fat compartment located in the cheek area. Buccal fat sits between the cheekbones and jaw bones and contributes to the shape and fullness of the face. Some people naturally have larger buccal fat pads, which can make the cheeks look round, full or “chubby” even when the person is not overweight.

During buccal fat removal, the surgeon reaches this fat pad through small incisions inside the mouth. Because the incision is intraoral, the procedure does not usually leave a visible scar on the outside of the face. By reducing the volume in this specific cheek area, bichectomy can help highlight the cheekbones, create more shadow under the cheekbone and make the lower face appear slimmer and more defined.

The procedure is also known as Hollywood cheek surgery, cheek reduction surgery or V-shape face surgery. However, at Dr. Fatma Soysüren Clinic, the focus is not a copy-paste celebrity look. The focus is a natural contour that fits your own facial structure.

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WHY PATIENT SELECTION MATTERS SO MUCH?

Bichectomy can be a very effective procedure for the right patient, but it is not a procedure that should be performed on everyone. This is one of the most important points on this page.

If a patient already has a narrow face, low facial volume, poor skin elasticity or age-related volume loss, removing buccal fat may make the face look hollow, tired or older over time. This is why Dr. Fatma Soysüren’s evaluation is conservative and personalized.

A good bichectomy result should not make the face look empty. It should create a more elegant facial contour while preserving softness, youthfulness and harmony.

The safest and most beautiful bichectomy result comes from correct patient selection, conservative fat removal and an aesthetic plan that respects long-term facial aging.

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WHAT KIND OF RESULT CAN BICHECTOMY CREATE?

Bichectomy can create a more sculpted and defined facial appearance by reducing the fullness in the lower cheek area. In suitable patients, this can make the cheekbones look more visible, the face look slimmer and the transition between the cheekbone and jawline look more refined.

Many patients ask for bichectomy because they feel their face looks too round in photos, their cheekbones are hidden or their facial shape does not reflect their actual body weight. For these patients, buccal fat removal can help create a more mature, elegant and camera-friendly facial contour.

However, the result should not look aggressive. Dr. Fatma Soysüren’s goal is not to create a sunken face. The goal is to create natural cheek definition, soft facial shadowing and balanced lower-face refinement.

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WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR BICHECTOMY?

You may be a good candidate for bichectomy if you have naturally full or round cheeks, stable body weight and enough facial volume to safely tolerate cheek reduction. The procedure is often more suitable for younger or middle-aged patients whose cheek fullness is caused by naturally prominent buccal fat pads rather than sagging, skin laxity or generalized facial heaviness.

A good candidate usually wants more visible cheekbones, a slimmer lower cheek area and a more defined facial contour. The best candidates understand that bichectomy is a contouring procedure, not a weight-loss treatment and not a lifting surgery.

You may not be a good candidate if your face is already thin, narrow or hollow, if you have significant age-related volume loss, if your lower face is sagging, if you are planning major weight loss or if you expect an extreme transformation. In these cases, a different facial aesthetics plan may be safer and more attractive.

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HOW DR. FATMA SOYSUREN PLANS BICHECTOMY

Dr. Fatma Soysüren plans bichectomy as a facial contouring procedure, not as a simple fat removal operation. Before recommending surgery, she evaluates the patient’s cheekbones, jawline, chin projection, midface volume, lower-face width, facial asymmetry, skin elasticity and age-related changes.

This detailed analysis is essential because buccal fat removal changes the way light and shadow fall on the face. Removing too little may create a very subtle result; removing too much may create an aged or hollow look. The right amount must be planned according to the individual face.

For some patients, bichectomy alone may be enough. For others, a more balanced plan may include non-surgical jawline contouring, chin support, rhinoplasty for facial profile harmony or facial rejuvenation procedures if sagging is the main issue. Dr. Fatma’s goal is to recommend the procedure that will actually improve the face, not simply the procedure the patient first asks for.

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THE PROCEDURE: WHAT TO EXPECT

Bichectomy is usually performed through small incisions inside the mouth, near the inner cheek area. Through these incisions, the buccal fat pad is carefully accessed and a planned amount of fat is removed. The incisions are then closed with sutures, often dissolvable depending on the surgical plan.

The procedure may be performed under local anesthesia or another anesthesia plan depending on the patient, medical suitability and whether bichectomy is combined with additional procedures.

Because the incision is inside the mouth, there is no external facial scar in typical cases. This is one of the reasons the procedure is attractive to international patients who want facial refinement with discreet recovery.

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RECOVERY AFTER BICHECTOMY (BUCCAL FAT REMOVAL)

Recovery after bichectomy is usually manageable, but it still requires proper care. Swelling, mild bruising, tightness and discomfort inside the mouth can occur during the early healing period. Patients are usually advised to follow a liquid or soft-food diet for the first days while the intraoral incisions begin to heal.

Oral hygiene is especially important because the incisions are inside the mouth. The clinic may recommend mouth rinses, gentle brushing instructions and food restrictions during the early recovery period. Most patients can return to light daily activities within a few days to one week, depending on the individual healing process and the doctor’s advice.

The early swelling can hide the final contour at first. The face gradually becomes more defined as swelling decreases and the tissues settle. Healing usually continues for a few weeks, while the final contour becomes clearer over the following months.

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ARE THE RESULTS PERMANENT?

The removed buccal fat pad does not grow back, so the contouring effect of buccal fat removal is considered long-lasting. However, this does not mean the face stops changing. Natural aging, skin laxity, weight changes and facial volume loss continue over time.

This is why conservative planning is important. A result that looks attractive today should also remain elegant as the face matures. Dr. Fatma Soysüren considers not only the immediate slimming effect, but also how the face may age in the future.

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CAN BICHECTOMY COMBINED WITH OTHER PROCEDURES?

Yes. Bichectomy can be combined with other facial aesthetic procedures when the patient’s anatomy and goals support a combined plan. For example, patients who want sharper lower-face definition may benefit from non-surgical jawline contouring or chin support. Patients who are also considering rhinoplasty may want a broader facial balance plan, because the nose, chin, cheeks and jawline all affect the overall profile.

For older patients or patients with lower-face sagging, bichectomy may not be the right first choice. In these cases, lifting procedures such as facelift or neck lift may be more appropriate than removing cheek volume. For selected patients, skin quality treatments may also support a fresher and more polished facial appearance.

A combined plan should always be designed carefully. The goal is not to do more procedures; the goal is to create better facial harmony.

 

 

WHY CHOOSE DR. FATMA SOYSUREN FOR BICHECTOMY IN TURKEY?

Choosing a doctor for bichectomy is important because the procedure appears simple, but the decision-making is not simple. The difference between a beautiful contour and an over-thinned face depends on patient selection, anatomical judgment and conservative surgical planning.

Dr. Fatma Soysüren Clinic offers a doctor-led approach for international patients who want natural-looking facial refinement. The clinic’s philosophy is based on facial balance, safe planning and honest assessment. If bichectomy is suitable, the goal is to create a slimmer, more defined and more elegant facial contour. If it is not suitable, a safer alternative plan should be discussed.

This honesty is part of the trust. A premium aesthetic clinic should not say yes to every request. It should guide the patient toward the result that will look best in real life and age well over time.

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INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS EXPERIENCE IN ISTANBUL

For international patients, planning a facial procedure abroad requires confidence, organization and clear communication. Dr. Fatma Soysüren Clinic supports patients from the first online consultation to the aftercare process in Istanbul.

Before you travel, you can send your photos and explain your goals. The clinic team can guide you regarding suitability, expected process, travel planning and appointment organization. During your stay in Istanbul, the team supports your clinic visits, procedure preparation and follow-up care. After you return home, communication can continue for recovery guidance and aftercare questions.

The goal is simple: you should feel professionally guided, medically informed and personally supported throughout your aesthetic journey.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

What is the difference between bichectomy and buccal fat removal?

They usually refer to the same procedure. Bichectomy is the commonly used term for removing part of the buccal fat pad from the cheek area. Buccal fat removal, cheek reduction surgery and Hollywood cheek surgery are also used to describe this facial contouring operation.

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Who is a good candidate for buccal fat removal?

A good candidate usually has naturally full or round cheeks, stable weight, good skin elasticity and enough facial volume to safely support cheek reduction. The procedure is not ideal for very thin, narrow or hollow faces.

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Can buccal fat removal make me look older?

It can, if performed on the wrong candidate or if too much fat is removed. Since the face naturally loses volume with age, aggressive buccal fat removal may create a hollow or aged look over time. This is why conservative planning and correct patient selection are essential.

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Will there be visible scars after bichectomy?

In typical bichectomy procedures, the incisions are made inside the mouth, so there is no visible scar on the outside of the face.

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How long does recovery take after bichectomy?

Recovery varies from patient to patient. Swelling and mild discomfort are expected in the early period. Many patients return to light daily activities within a few days to one week, while healing usually continues for a few weeks and the final contour becomes clearer over the following months.

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Are bichectomy results permanent?

Yes. The removed buccal fat does not grow back, so the result is considered permanent. However, natural aging and weight changes can still affect the overall face shape over time.

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Can bichectomy be combined with jawline filler or rhinoplasty?

Yes, in suitable patients. Bichectomy may be part of a broader facial harmony plan that includes jawline contouring, chin support, rhinoplasty or other facial aesthetic procedures. The right combination depends on facial proportions and patient goals.

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How can international patients start the process?

International patients can start by sending clear photos and describing their goals. Dr. Fatma Soysüren’s team can guide you through online assessment, treatment planning, travel organization, procedure preparation and aftercare coordination in Istanbul.

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READY TO FIND OUT WHETHER BICHECTOMY IS RIGHT FOR YOUR FACE

A beautiful bichectomy result should not make the face look empty. It should reveal your cheekbones, refine your lower-face contour and create a more elegant facial shape while preserving natural softness.

Send your photos and receive a personalized assessment from Dr. Fatma Soysüren Clinic. Together, we can determine whether bichectomy, non-surgical facial contouring or another facial aesthetics plan is the most suitable option for you.

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