What Is Bichectomy (Buccal Fat Removal)?
Bichectomy — also called buccal fat removal — is a minimally invasive plastic-surgery procedure that removes a small, discrete pad of fat (the buccal fat pad of Bichat) from inside each cheek. The result is a more sculpted, angular face with more defined cheekbones and a sharper jawline.
It is one of the fastest, most low-downtime procedures in plastic surgery — performed in 30–60 minutes under local anesthesia with sedation, with all incisions hidden inside the mouth. No external scars.
At ALO Aesthetic in Tijuana and Guadalajara, México, our board-certified plastic surgeons perform bichectomy in three accredited hospitals — Hospital DREAMS, Hospital Puerta de Hierro, and Hospital Innovare — applying a conservative philosophy that avoids the over-hollowed look that age can later exaggerate.
Bichectomy Options at ALO Aesthetic
Standard Bilateral Bichectomy
Removal of the buccal fat pad from both cheeks through a small incision inside the mouth (no external scar). Recommended for patients with full, rounded cheeks who want a more sculpted, angular appearance. Quick procedure (45 minutes), fast recovery (3–5 days).
Conservative Bichectomy
A more measured removal — preserving more fat to avoid a “gaunt” appearance later in life. Recommended for younger patients (20s–30s) where natural fat loss is still ahead. The goal is subtle refinement, not dramatic hollowing.
Bichectomy + Submental Lipo (Cheek + Double Chin)
Combines buccal fat removal with liposuction of the chin/neck (submental lipo) for total lower-face definition. Same anesthesia, same recovery. Recommended when both cheek fullness AND a double chin are concerns.
Bichectomy + Mentoplasty (Chin Augmentation)
Combines buccal fat removal with chin augmentation (implant or sliding genioplasty). The bichectomy reduces cheek width while the mentoplasty adds chin projection — together they create dramatic facial harmony, especially for patients with weak chins.
Real Bichectomy Results
Real ALO Aesthetic bichectomy patients. More defined cheekbones, sharper jawlines, more sculpted facial profiles — without the over-hollowed look. Photos coming soon.
Are You a Candidate for Bichectomy?
Bichectomy is one of the easier plastic-surgery procedures to recover from, but it should be considered carefully — the fat removed does not come back. You may be a strong candidate if:
- You have full, rounded cheeks that aren’t simply due to weight (bichectomy doesn’t fix general facial fullness from being overweight).
- You are at a stable weight — significant weight loss after the procedure can over-emphasize the hollowing.
- You’re typically between 25 and 50 years old. Younger patients may benefit from a conservative approach; older patients should consider that natural fat loss has likely already begun.
- You have realistic expectations: bichectomy enhances cheekbone definition by 10–15%. It is NOT a substitute for weight loss or a face transplant.
- You are in good general health, non-smoker (or willing to stop 2–4 weeks before/after).
- You can dedicate 3–5 days for the initial recovery before social activities.
Our Step-by-Step Process
1
Free Consultation
In-person or online. We review your goals, medical history, and present surgical options with before/after photos of similar cases.
2
Planning & Quote
Surgical technique selection, implant size (if applicable), tentative date, and all-inclusive package quote.
3
Pre-Op Studies
Blood work, EKG, and mammogram if applicable. Can be done in your home city and sent before traveling.
4
Surgery
Performed at Hospital DREAMS (Tijuana), Hospital Puerta de Hierro, or Hospital Innovare (Guadalajara), under general anesthesia by a board-certified anesthesiologist.
5
Hospital Recovery
1 night hospital stay with 24/7 nursing care. Compression garments and pain management included.
6
Recovery House
4-7 days at our medical recovery house with daily check-ins, English-speaking staff, and hospital-airport transportation.
Recovery and Results
Bichectomy has one of the easiest recoveries in plastic surgery.
Day 0: Outpatient procedure. You’ll go home (or to the recovery house) the same day. Mild soreness, some cheek swelling. Liquid/soft diet.
Days 1–3: Continue soft-food diet. Avoid hot or spicy foods. Rinse mouth with prescribed mouthwash after meals. Sleep with head elevated. Cold compresses help with swelling.
Days 3–5: Swelling peaks then begins to subside. Resume normal soft foods. Most patients return to work and social activities by day 5–7.
Weeks 1–2: Resume normal diet gradually. Light exercise.
3–6 months: Final result emerges as residual swelling fully resolves. The change becomes more apparent as the face slims and definition emerges.
Where We Operate
We operate at three accredited hospitals — one in Tijuana and two in Guadalajara — all meeting international medical standards, fully equipped for plastic and reconstructive surgery, and offering 24/7 nursing care.
Hospital DREAMS
Tijuana, México
Modern surgical center in Zona Cacho, Tijuana. Board-certified anesthesiologists, fully accredited operating rooms, and complete post-operative care. 30 minutes from San Diego, USA.
Hospital Puerta de Hierro
Guadalajara, México
One of Mexico’s top private hospitals, internationally accredited. State-of-the-art operating suites and inpatient care. International airport (GDL) with direct flights from major US cities.
Hospital Innovare
Guadalajara, México
Modern hospital in Zapopan with state-of-the-art operating rooms, certified anesthesia teams, and bilingual recovery support.
Cost of Bichectomy in Mexico
Bichectomy pricing at ALO Aesthetic represents 50%–70% savings vs US and Canadian rates. Because it’s a shorter procedure with local-anesthesia options, bichectomy is one of the more accessible plastic-surgery procedures.
Every quote is all-inclusive: surgeon fees, hospital (DREAMS, Puerta de Hierro, or Innovare), anesthesia, medications, and standard follow-up. Final pricing depends on whether it’s combined with other procedures (submental lipo, mentoplasty, facelift). A personalized quote is part of your free consultation.
Why Choose ALO Aesthetic
Board-Certified Surgeons
Surgeons board-certified by the Mexican Council of Plastic Surgery (CMCP) with thousands of successful procedures performed.
Certified Hospitals
Tijuana: Hospital DREAMS. Guadalajara: Hospital Puerta de Hierro and Hospital Innovare. All three facilities meet international standards.
Bilingual Care
Coordination, surgery, and follow-up in English or Spanish. Zero language barrier for US and Canadian patients.
Proven Medical Tourism
Extensive experience with US and Canadian patients. We coordinate flights, lodging, transportation, and recovery house.
No Hidden Costs
All-inclusive pricing from the start: surgery, hospital, anesthesia, medications, compression garments, and follow-up.
12-Month Follow-Up
Bilingual post-operative care for a full 12 months, with your medical team always available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard bichectomy: 30–45 minutes. Combined with submental lipo or mentoplasty: 1.5–2 hours. Combined with facelift: 4–5 hours total.
No. All incisions are inside the mouth (one small incision in the inner cheek per side). There are NO external scars whatsoever.
This is the most common concern, and it’s legitimate. Our surgeons use a conservative approach — removing only what creates definition without compromising future facial volume. We avoid over-aggressive bichectomy in younger patients specifically because of this.
No. The buccal fat pad does not regenerate. This is why our surgeons are deliberately conservative — once removed, it’s permanent.
Most patients describe it as minimal discomfort. The procedure is brief and is performed under local anesthesia with light sedation (or general for combined procedures). Soreness afterward is comparable to having a wisdom tooth removed.
Liquid diet for the first 24 hours. Soft foods (yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, smoothies) for days 2–5. Normal diet from week 2. Avoid hot, spicy, or sharp foods during the first week.
Desk-based work: 3–5 days. Public-facing work: 5–7 days. The recovery is one of the fastest in plastic surgery.
Light walking from day 1. Cardio at 1 week. Strength training and contact sports at 2–3 weeks.
Yes — very commonly. Combined with submental liposuction for total lower-face definition, with mentoplasty (chin implant) for improved jaw projection, or as part of a facelift for older patients.
In one of three accredited hospitals: Hospital DREAMS in Tijuana, or Hospital Puerta de Hierro or Hospital Innovare in Guadalajara.
Schedule Your Free Bichectomy Consultation
Send us photos of your face (front, three-quarter, profile) plus your medical history. Our plastic surgeon will assess whether your facial fullness is best addressed with bichectomy — and recommend a conservative or combined approach based on your anatomy and age. Free consultation, no obligation.