The face requires care; however, due to the passage of time, it happens that it is necessary to opt for treatments or procedures that improve our aesthetics. However, aging leads to this type of treatment since it also influences not being satisfied with what nature has given us, and we want to perfect beauty.

Here is some relatable questionnaire to answer a few common queries:

What are Bichat balls? What is your function?

Bichat balls are a fat deposit located in the region of the cheekbones or malar bones, and it is vascularized fat, so it increases with weight gain. The anatomical function is to support or cushion the facial skeleton.

At present, what techniques exist to extract the Bichat balls? Are they surgical, or is there an alternative without surgery?

These fatty deposits are surgically removed from inside the mouth, without visible scars, through an incision at the upper molars level, exposing the ball of Bichat and carefully dissecting it until it is almost completely extracted. It is sutured with absorbable thread, so there is no need to remove the stitches.

The alternative without surgery would be to inject lipolytic substances, guided by ultrasound in several sessions, although the result is not very predictable.

What is the care that the patient should follow after the procedure?

Like any oral surgery intervention, it will be necessary to use a local cold and some anti-inflammatory for the area’s edema.

Are the results permanent, or what should be done to keep them for a long time?

The results are maintained over time for several years, but being a living tissue and a natural fat deposit area can spontaneously re-form after ten years or with weight increases.

How should the patient be prepared for a Bichat ball resection?

It is a relatively short intervention and is performed under local anesthesia, and there must be scrupulous oral hygiene and perhaps a lyrical craving before the intervention.

Can this procedure be combined with others? Which?

It can be combined naturally with the lower blepharoplasty or with the mid-third facelift.

What are the benefits after surgery?

The desired result is a better definition of the cheekbones and mandibular angles. As there is less fatty tissue, the bone surfaces are more marked.

Who to go to for a Bichectomy? Who is the specialist who performs it?

Maxillofacial surgeons are the most suitable specialists for this type of intervention since it is their usual work area and their great knowledge of the anatomy and functionality of the face and neck.

Are there any side effects after the Bichectomy?

The most common is the appearance of bruises in the area and inflammation that can last a few days.