Bichectomy

BICHECTOMY

 
WHAT IS IT?
 
A plastic surgery procedure that is performed to reduce prominent cheeks, by the proportional removal of buccal fat-pad tissue.

 
WHAT ARE BUCCAL FAT-PADS?
 
They are bags of stored tissues located in the area of the cheeks under each cheekbone.
 
GOALS AND RESULTS OF THIS PROCEDURE:
 
To perform a facial profiling by removing buccal fat-pad tissue to reduce the volume of fat in the face and thus stylize and refine the facial features of the patient. The final result of this procedure allows a more "ovalized" face by highlighting the cheekbones and jawline. Definitive results are obtained after 6 months, however after 3 or 4 weeks some results are evident.
 
SURGICAL TECHNIQUE:
 
The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, with a maximum time requirement of 1 hour. A small incision of approximately one centimeter is made inside the mouth above the premolars or upper molars, the cheeks are slightly separated and the bag of buccal tissue is exposed to proceed to remove it in its entirety on each side.

  

WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR THIS PROCEDURE?
 
Any patient who has a very rounded face due to their prominent cheeks and who wants to stylize it. However, not everybody is suitable, even if this condition is met.
 
Before defining whether or not a patient is eligible, it is necessary to carry out a clinical / online assessment and interview with our surgeon, who is governed under strict professional and ethical parameters to intervene with any patient, and to be able to ensure a successful outcome.
 
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS:
 
In order to avoid any type of complication, it is of vital importance that the procedure is performed by a suitable professional, with extensive experience and under strict biosecurity measures. 
 
In general, the possible complications are those of any dental surgical procedure, although there are some specific ones related to this treatment:
 
●      Because of its proximity to the facial nerve, there is a risk of temporary facial paralysis
●      Asymmetry in the face (minimal)
●      Possibility of undergoing retouching
●      Alteration in salivary flow
●      Inflammation and bleeding
 
IMPORTANT NOTES:
 
No examination is required if the patient is fundamentally healthy, unless the patient prefers to have the procedure performed under general anesthesia. In this case it would involve the usual examinations of any patient who is going to undergo a surgical procedure under general anesthesia.
 
The patient is advised to consume soft foods for the first 3 to 5 days after the procedure.
 
Average ‘sickness’ (time off work) period is 1 week.
 
If the buccal fat-pad tissues are eliminated in their entirety, they will not be re-formed.
 
TIME REQUIRED IN THE CITY OF MEDELLÍN:
 
If you do not live in the city of Medellin and want to perform this procedure, it is required that you stay for a minimum of 7 days. This will allow you to undergo the surgery and for us to check your post-operative process in the following week.