Bichectomy in Paris is a cosmetic surgery procedure that is increasingly in demand, particularly among young clients who want to refine and sculpt the contours of their face. This simple procedure redefines the contours of the face by removing fatty deposits from the cheeks, known as Bichat balls.
Dr. Delobaux, a cosmetic surgeon in Paris, will guide you through this process to achieve a harmonious and natural result that respects the balance of your facial anatomy.
What is a buccal fat removal procedure?
Definition of Bichat's fat pads
Bichat's balls are fatty structures that are present in everyone to a greater or lesser extent. They are named after the famous French physician Marie François Xavier Bichat, who described them. These fatty deposits are located in the cheek, behind the jaw's chewing muscles, and extend up into the temporal area.
These fatty pads can vary in size depending on the individual. They are what give the cheeks either a hollow or round appearance. As a result, a thin person may have a round face if their Bichat pads are very developed. In babies, the Bichat balls are particularly developed because they support the sucking motion, giving the characteristic "baby face" look with rounded cheeks.
As we age, the size of the Bichat balls decreases, giving the cheeks a slightly more hollow appearance.
Principle and objective of buccal fat removal
Bichectomy, or removal of the Bichat balls, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that involves removing part of the fatty tissue present in the cheek. It is referred to as reduction rather than removal, as the Bichat balls extend to the temple area, where they are preserved.
The affected area located in the cheek has little or no useful physiological function. Reduction surgery can therefore make the cheeks less round and slightly hollow them out. This reverses the curvature of the face at cheek level, highlighting the cheekbones and jawline. The face then appears more harmonious and dynamic, with more prominent and better-defined features.
In women, the procedure brings elegance, finesse, and femininity to the face. The aim here is to achieve a "model" look. In men, the removal of the Bichat balls aims to refine the face to make it more angular and masculine, with a better-defined jawline and more prominent cheekbones.
Who can benefit from a buccal fat removal procedure?
This facial surgery procedure is performed on both men and women. Since the size of the Bichat balls varies from person to person, it is not only a matter of overweight individuals.
Cosmetic surgery to remove Bichat balls is generally considered once the patient has reached physical and emotional maturity. It is advisableto wait until at least 18 years of age before considering this type of procedure, to ensure that the face has finished growing and that the decision is not taken lightly.
Good to know: this procedure is not recommended for overweight patients who wish to lose weight, as weight loss can affect the size of the Bichat balls.
What are our different buccal fat removal techniques?
There are two methods for performing a buccal fat removal procedure: intraoral or facialduringa facelift. In clinical practice, the safest and most commonly used method is to make an incision inside the mouth.
Reducing the Bichat balls allows for more profound sculpting of the lower third of the face than cheek liposuction. This is because liposuction does not allow for deep fat removal.
What are the steps involved before your buccal fat removal?
First consultation with Dr. Delobaux
The first step is a preliminary consultation, during which your surgeon will explain the steps involved in the procedure, as well as its benefits and risks. After analyzing your face, Dr. Delobaux will guide you in choosing the best treatment.
As with any surgical procedure, this initial consultation is necessary in order to perform a thorough assessment and analysis of the face.
At the end of the initial consultation, Dr. Delobaux will give you an information sheet summarizing the benefits and potential complications associated with this surgery. A mandatory 15-day reflection period is required between the initial consultation and the procedure.
Medical preparation
In the weeks leading up to the procedure, you will need to avoid certain medications, such as aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs, as they can increase the risk of bleeding. These treatments must be stopped at least 10 days before the procedure.
As with all cosmetic surgery procedures, it is advisable to stop smoking at least one month before and one month after the operation. Smoking can compromise healing and increase the risk of post-operative complications.
Anesthesia consultation
A consultation with the anesthesiologist must be scheduled at least 48 hours before the procedure. This consultation allows your overall health to be assessed and the type of anesthesia best suited to your case to be determined.
What is the procedure for your buccal fat removal?
Bichectomy can be performed under short general anesthesia lasting 30 to 45 minutes, under sedation, or under local anesthesia alone. It is an outpatient procedure, meaning that patients do not need to stay overnight at the clinic. Patients can leave on the same day as the procedure without a bandage.
Scheduleofcheek reduction surgery:
- Incision inside the cheek, close to the upper jaw, where the upper wisdom teeth are located. It measures between 1 cm and 1.5 cm. There is therefore no visible scar on the face.
- Exposure of the Bichat ball: after the incision, the buccal muscle is dissected and the Bichat ball is exposed. External pressure is applied to the skin to manipulate the Bichat balls into the incision. The Bichat ball is externalized and the exposed part is delicately removed.
- Partial removal of the ball: only the part that protrudes outward should be removed, so as not to remove too much. Doing so could result in an overly hollowed-out face.
- Closing the incision: The scar inside the cheek is then closed with absorbable stitches that will dissolve naturally in the saliva within 7 to 15 days.
What are the consequences of buccal fat removal?
Pain and discomfort
- After the operation: pain is very mild or even absent. Buccal fat removal is relatively painless, as the fatty tissue has few nerve endings and is not prone to inflammation.
- Swelling, bruising, and hematomas: Significant swelling or bruising is very rarely seen after surgery. However, swelling of the cheeks may be observed for one to two weeks, similar to wisdom tooth surgery. This swelling will completely subside within 10 to 15 days. Bruising may occur, but this will resolve spontaneously within a few days.
- Applying ice to the area minimizes the risk of edema formation.
- Difficulty chewing and opening the mouth: these symptoms last for a few days.
Care and hygiene
No nursing care is required after the procedure. No stitches need to be removed, as they are absorbable. As the incision is made inside the mouth, you must maintain excellent oral hygiene to ensure proper healing. It is advisable to rinse your mouth regularly to keep the operated area clean.
It is advisable to avoid foods that are too hot or too spicy for a week, so as not to irritate the scar.
Resumption of activities
You can resume your daily activities the day after the procedure. However, depending on the swelling of your cheeks, it is advisable to wait 3 to 5 days after the procedure before returning to work. The period of social isolation is generally 4 days.
Physical activities may be resumed after 15 days, which is the time required for optimal healing.
Good to know: as this procedure is purely cosmetic, it is not possible to prescribe time off work.
Medical follow-up
Regular consultations will be scheduled with Dr. Delobaux to ensure optimal monitoring of your progress. A follow-up consultation is usually performed after one week, followed by consultations at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and one year.
Results and duration
The results of buccal fat removal are not immediate. Although the fat is removed immediately, post-operative swelling can cause the cheeks to swell and temporarily restore volume. The final results appear once the swelling has completely subsided, which takes between 3 and 6 weeks.
This is when you really start to appreciate the results. Finally, the skin tightens and the underlying tissues remodel themselves. The results become permanent between 3 and 6 months.
Permanent nature of the results
The effects of buccal fat removal are irreversible and the results are permanent. This is because fatty tissue cannot regenerate: once the fat has been removed, it is gone for good. Once removed, the Bichat balls do not grow back.
However, the remaining fat cells (adipocytes) retain the ability to store fat: this is why the effect of buccal fat removal will be reduced in the event of significant weight gain.
Risks and complications
It is important to know that this surgery, like any surgical procedure, may involve risks. The main risks include:
- Transient facial edema
- Bruises
- Infections (rare with good oral hygiene)
- Facial asymmetry (rare)
- Partial facial paralysis (very rare)
- Damage to the Sténon duct, near the incision (very rare).
Bichectomy prices in Paris
As this surgical procedure is purely cosmetic, the reduction of Bichat balls is not covered by health insurance.
The price of a buccal fat removal varies mainly depending on the type of anesthesia chosen (local, local with sedation, or general). The cost of surgery to remove the Bichat balls can therefore vary, generally ranging from $2,000 to $3,000, excluding clinic and anesthesia fees.
A detailed, personalized quote will be provided during your consultation with Dr. Delobaux.
