Will the results of a bichectomy disappear after weight gain? | Dr. Faylim Tansu Uzel Clinic, Beyoğlu Galata, Istanbul

Do bichectomy results after weight gain disappear is one of the most frequently asked questions among people considering buccal fat removal surgery. Because bichectomy results after weight gain may create changes in facial appearance; however, this change does not always mean that the effect of the procedure has completely disappeared. Bichectomy is a surgical procedure targeting the deep fat tissue in the cheek area, and when planned correctly, it aims to provide long-term facial contouring. For this reason, before the operation, not only the day of the procedure but also how the face may be affected by weight changes in the following years should be evaluated.

Many people who want to undergo bichectomy want to have more information about the permanence of the results, especially if they experience cycles of weight gain and loss. Questions such as “Will my cheeks return to their previous state?”, “Will the removed fat tissue form again?”, and “If I gain weight, will my face look round again?” are quite natural. At Dr. Faylim Tansu Uzel Clinic, located in Istanbul Beyoglu Galata, the patient’s current facial structure, weight history, aging process, and aesthetic expectations are evaluated together during bichectomy planning. In this way, not only the current appearance but also long-term facial balance is taken into consideration.

Is Bichectomy a Permanent Procedure?

Bichectomy is generally considered a permanent procedure. The reason for this is that the Bichat fat pads removed during the operation do not regenerate on their own. This fat tissue, located in the inner part of the cheeks, is one of the structures that contributes to a rounder and fuller facial appearance. When an appropriate amount is surgically removed, a more defined, more balanced, and slimmer appearance can be achieved in the facial contours.

However, the permanence of bichectomy does not mean that the face will never change throughout life. The human face changes over time with age, weight fluctuations, skin elasticity, and genetic factors. Therefore, it would not be correct to say that bichectomy results completely disappear after weight gain; however, it should be known that changes may occur in the overall facial volume. Even if the Bichat fat pads do not return, other fat tissues in the face may be affected by weight gain.

At this point, it is important to understand the concept of permanence correctly. The tissue removed with bichectomy does not come back; however, all facial volume does not consist only of Bichat fat. Subcutaneous fat tissues, muscle structures, connective tissue, and bone support in the face also affect appearance. Therefore, although bichectomy is a permanent surgical intervention, the visible effect of the result may be perceived differently along with the person’s general body changes.

Does the Fat Tissue Removed During Bichectomy Come Back?

The fat tissue removed during bichectomy is the Bichat fat pad located in the deep part of the cheek. Once this tissue is removed, it does not form again. Therefore, this is the most important point to know when evaluating bichectomy results after weight gain: the removed Bichat fat tissue does not come back. If the patient gains weight in the future, this does not mean that these specific fat pads have formed again.

If fullness is felt in the cheek area over time, the reason is usually that other facial fat tissues have gained volume due to weight gain. Just as the abdomen, waist, hips, or arms can be affected when the body gains weight, the face can also be affected by this process. However, this effect should not be interpreted as the return of the tissue removed during bichectomy.

This distinction is reassuring for patients. Because the contouring effect achieved after bichectomy can be maintained for many years, especially with proper patient selection and the correct surgical technique. Of course, it is a healthier approach for people who want to maintain a slimmer facial appearance to pay attention to general weight control, eat a balanced diet, and avoid sudden weight changes.

Does Weight Gain Affect Facial Appearance?

Yes, weight gain can affect facial appearance. Although bichectomy results may not completely disappear after weight gain, the general facial contours may become softer, fuller, or less defined. The reason for this is that the face is not made up only of Bichat fat pads. Different fat layers under the skin, the under-chin area, the neck line, and the cheek area may be affected by weight changes.

Weight gain may cause the following changes in the face:

• A general increase in fullness may be seen in the cheek area.
• The jawline may be perceived as softer and less sharp.
• The facial oval may lose some of its definition.
• Volume increase may occur in the neck and double chin area.
• The transition between the cheekbone and lower face may become less noticeable.

These effects vary from person to person. In some people, the face is quickly affected when they gain weight, while in others, weight gain becomes more noticeable in different areas of the body. Genetic structure, age, skin quality, and the amount of weight gained may be determining factors in this process. Therefore, it is not correct to give a single standard answer about bichectomy results after weight gain. However, generally speaking, since the removed Bichat fat tissue does not return, the face is not expected to become as round as it was before surgery in most patients.

Why Are Bichectomy Results Usually Preserved?

The main reason bichectomy results are usually preserved is that the targeted fat tissue is permanently removed during the operation. The Bichat fat pad is not a superficial fat tissue that can be completely controlled by diet or exercise. For this reason, some people may complain of a full appearance in the cheek area even though they are generally slim. Bichectomy is exactly a procedure aimed at reducing this deep cheek volume.

Bichectomy results after weight gain are preserved to a certain extent in most patients because the effect of the operation occurs in the deep contour structure of the face. Even if the patient gains weight, the removed deep fat pad does not form again, so the face usually does not fully return to its preoperative voluminous appearance. However, this does not mean that there will be no changes at all. Volume increase may occur in other parts of the face, and this may make the contouring effect appear softer.

This is where the importance of surgical planning becomes clear. If bichectomy has been performed in an amount suitable for the facial structure and with the correct technique, the natural proportions of the face can be better preserved even if weight changes occur. Removing too much fat may lead to a hollow appearance in later years, while insufficient removal may not provide the expected contouring effect. Therefore, a personalized approach is necessary for the results to be preserved for a long time.

How Much Weight Gain Can Affect the Results?

Whether there will be a noticeable change in bichectomy results after weight gain depends on the amount of weight gained and how the person’s face responds to weight changes. Small weight changes usually do not create a dramatic difference. An increase of a few kilograms often does not completely change the facial contour and does not create the impression that the bichectomy effect has disappeared.

However, in cases of significant weight gain, facial appearance may be affected more. Especially gaining a large amount of weight in a short time may create fullness in the facial oval, softening of the jawline, and volume increase around the cheeks. In this case, the slimmer appearance achieved with bichectomy may be partially overshadowed. Still, this change does not mean that the removed Bichat fat tissue has returned.

The person’s age is also important in this process. Since skin elasticity is stronger at younger ages, the face may respond differently to weight changes. In later ages, factors such as skin laxity, volume loss, and tissue sagging may affect the perception of the result. Therefore, for people who have undergone bichectomy, trying to maintain a stable weight in the long term is beneficial for both facial contour and overall aesthetic appearance.

Why Does the Face Look More Sculpted After Bichectomy?

The reason the face looks more sculpted after bichectomy is the reduction of excess deep volume in the cheek area. The procedure is planned not only to slim the face but also to make facial proportions more balanced. Especially in people with round facial features, when the volume in the cheek area decreases, the transition between the cheekbone, lower face, and jawline may be perceived more clearly.

The following aesthetic changes may be seen in the face after bichectomy:

• The cheekbones may appear more prominent.
• The lower facial line may look clearer and more balanced.
• The round appearance in the cheeks may decrease.
• The jawline may gain a more aesthetic frame.
• Facial contours may become more defined and proportional.

These changes do not occur at the same level in every patient. Because facial anatomy is individual. While the difference after bichectomy may be more noticeable in some patients, a more natural and subtle slimming may be achieved in others. At Dr. Faylim Tansu Uzel Clinic, the aim is not to make the face look thinner or artificial than it naturally is, but to achieve a balanced result that supports the person’s natural facial proportions.

Does the Surgeon’s Experience Affect the Results?

The surgeon’s experience directly affects bichectomy results. Because bichectomy should not be seen simply as the removal of fat tissue from the cheek. During the procedure, how much fat will be removed, which tissues will be preserved, how the middle part of the face will be supported, and what kind of facial appearance the patient may have in later years should be carefully evaluated.

An experienced surgeon does not evaluate the patient’s face only based on the current fullness. The cheekbone structure, jawline, skin quality, facial length, and overall proportions are analyzed together. Procedures performed without this analysis may provide slimming in the short term but may lead to unnatural results in the long term. Therefore, how correctly the procedure is planned at the first stage is as important as bichectomy results after weight gain.

The right balance should be established between permanence and a natural appearance after bichectomy. Avoiding overly aggressive procedures, evaluating the patient’s face in accordance with the aging process, and keeping surgical trauma at a minimum form the basis of successful results. For this reason, bichectomy procedures at Dr. Faylim Tansu Uzel Clinic are approached with a personalized planning approach.

Local Anesthesia and General Anesthesia Options

Bichectomy is a procedure that can be performed under both local anesthesia and general anesthesia. Which anesthesia method will be preferred is determined according to the patient’s general health condition, whether other aesthetic procedures will be performed together with the operation, and the person’s comfort expectations. While local anesthesia may be sufficient for some patients who will undergo only bichectomy, general anesthesia may be considered more suitable for combined procedures.

In bichectomy performed under local anesthesia, the patient is awake but does not feel pain in the operation area. This method may be a comfortable option for suitable patients. General anesthesia may be considered especially in patients who prefer to be completely asleep during the procedure or in patients for whom bichectomy is planned together with different surgical procedures. The most accurate decision is made after the examination by evaluating the patient’s expectations and surgical planning together.

The choice of anesthesia is important for the safety of the operation and the comfort of the patient. Therefore, before bichectomy, the patient should share all health information with the physician. Medications used, existing diseases, previous operations, and anesthesia experiences should be taken into consideration during planning.

Bichectomy Procedures in Istanbul Beyoglu Galata

At Dr. Faylim Tansu Uzel Clinic, located in Istanbul Beyoglu Galata, bichectomy procedures are planned specifically according to the patient’s facial anatomy. Not every face type is the same, and removing the same amount of fat tissue from every patient is not the right approach. For this reason, a detailed evaluation before the procedure is of great importance for natural and long-lasting results.

During the examination process, the patient’s cheek volume, face shape, jawline, cheekbone prominence, and general aesthetic expectations are evaluated together. The aim is not only to slim the cheeks. The goal is to achieve a more balanced, more natural contour that is compatible with the person’s facial structure. This approach also helps create a more controlled expectation regarding bichectomy results after weight gain.

As with all surgical procedures, sterilization and safety are extremely important in bichectomy. Since it is a procedure performed from inside the mouth, the hygiene standards of the operation environment, sterilization of the equipment used, and postoperative care recommendations should be handled carefully. At Dr. Faylim Tansu Uzel Clinic, bichectomy procedures are performed under high sterilization standards, and the patient’s healing process is followed in a controlled manner.