How much does bichectomy cost in Turkey?
In Turkey, the price of bichectomy ranges from £1,000 to £1,700. This “all-inclusive” rate covers surgery, anaesthesia, luxury accommodation and VIP transfers. In England, the average cost is around £2,900, a difference of £1,200 to £1,900 depending on the technique.
📊 Price Table 2026: Turkey vs England
This comparison details the average prices for buccal fat removal between aesthetic clinics in Istanbul and specialist practices in England. Bichectomy in Spain and bichectomy in Tunisia fall within this price range.
| Type of procedure | Price Turkey | Price England |
|---|---|---|
| Standard bichectomy (cheeks) | £1,100 - £1,800 | £2,200 - £3,000 |
| Bichectomy + chin liposuction | £1,700 - £2,400 | £3,500 - £5,400 |
| Bichectomy + jawline contouring | £2,000 - £3,500 | £3,300 - £6,300 |
| Facial asymmetry correction | £1,300 - £2,200 | £3,000 - £4,600 |
📈 Statistics and results
No published data quantifies patient satisfaction after bichectomy in Turkey. Regarding complications, a meta-analysis of twelve studies reports them in one in four patients, with high heterogeneity between studies[1]. A literature review describes them as poorly predictable[2]. Swelling subsides in 3 to 5 days; the final result is assessed after 3 to 6 months.
What is bichectomy?
Bichectomy is a cosmetic procedure that removes the buccal fat pads (fatty deposits in the cheeks). The aim is to slim the face, hollow the cheeks and make the cheekbones more prominent. Removed fat does not grow back, but the volume of the buccal fat pads changes with age[3].
In adults, the buccal fat pads have no vital function. In infants, they help with chewing and sucking. In adulthood, their removal is purely cosmetic, to correct a face that is perceived as too “round” or “chubby”.
Why choose Turkey for bichectomy?
Several reasons explain Istanbul’s prominence in facial surgery:
- Volume of procedures: Turkish teams operate on a large number of international patients every year.
- Value for money: prices are lower than those in Western Europe, as shown in the table above.
- Infrastructure: several Istanbul clinics are JCI accredited.
- Included services: packages covering accommodation, transfers and an interpreter.
Bichectomy requires a thorough knowledge of cheek anatomy: the buccal fat pad is close to the facial nerve and the parotid duct, injuries to which are among the reported complications[2]. Istanbul clinics also treat patients with HIV.
Speed of treatment
Unlike in the UK, where waiting times can stretch to months, treatment in Turkey is immediate. You can book your cosmetic surgery within 15 days, with an optimised 3- to 4-day stay for the surgery and follow-up.
How the procedure works
Removal of buccal fat is performed through a short intraoral incision, at the level of the upper molars, with blunt dissection and suction-assisted extraction[4]. No scar is visible externally. The operation takes about 45 minutes under local anaesthesia with sedation.
This technique can be combined with a face lift or neck liposuction for a more comprehensive result (jawline contouring). The aim is to sculpt a “V-shaped” face, a sign of youth and vitality.
Recovery and aftercare
Aftercare is straightforward: swelling is normal for the first 3 to 5 days. A liquid or soft diet is recommended for 48 hours. Return to daily activities usually happens after 3 days, while strenuous exercise should wait 15 days.
Medical service prices in Turkey, including bichectomy, remain lower than those in Western Europe, as shown in the table above.
Risks and precautions
Although rare, bichectomy carries some risks:
- Local bruising or infection;
- Temporary facial nerve injury;
- Residual asymmetry;
- Damage to the salivary duct (parotid duct).
It is therefore essential to choose a certified, experienced plastic surgeon in Istanbul. The procedure is also compatible with the principles of Halal surgery in Islam, as it aims to correct a physical disharmony and improve well-being.
We provide special equipment to make the stay of people with reduced mobility (PRM) more comfortable.
The exact package contents and clinic choice cannot be compared on a price page. Our English coordinator answers these questions free of charge.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions
How long does bichectomy last?
The removal is permanent: these fat cells do not regenerate, even with moderate weight gain. However, the volume of the buccal fat pads changes with age, and the cheek naturally hollows as you get older[3].
Does cheek reduction hurt?
The procedure is painless thanks to anaesthesia. Afterwards, you may feel discomfort similar to wisdom tooth extraction. It is easily managed with standard painkillers prescribed by the clinic.
What is the minimum age for buccal fat removal in Istanbul?
No age range is published. Buccal fat pad volume correlates neither with sex nor body mass index, but it does with age[3]: generous removal in a young patient becomes more noticeable later.
How to eat after hollow cheek surgery in Istanbul?
You can eat from the first day after surgery and for the first 3 days following your bichectomy in Istanbul. However, food must be cold or lukewarm.
Can I have surgery after lipolytic injections in the cheeks?
It is possible, but fibrosis left by these injections complicates the procedure. In one hundred patients, the success rate drops to 91.8% compared with 100% without such a history, and complications rise from 0% to 6.6%[5]. Mention them at your consultation.
What if the face looks too hollow after the operation?
The cheek already hollows naturally with age[3], and generous removal accentuates this effect. A fat transfer can restore volume once the result has stabilised. There is no other way to reverse the procedure.
How can I know if I have enough fat to remove?
An ultrasound scan before the procedure measures buccal fat pad volume, and this volume does not differ from what is actually removed[3]. It is a simple examination to request at the clinic. This study involved twenty patients.
Sources & References
- Albuquerque MC, Arruda KAR, Xavier Junior GF, Cerqueira ACSG, Massignan C, Rocha FS. Prevalence of complications of buccal fat removal-: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, 2025. Consult the source
- Alcântara MT, Ribeiro NR, Abreu DF. Complications associated with bichectomy surgery-: a literature review. Minerva Dental and Oral Science, 2020. Consult the source
- Ciaramicolo NO, Bisson GB, Constantino AF, Meira Júnior S, Ferreira Júnior O. Buccal Fat Pad-: Anatomical Review and Evaluation of its Aesthetic Removal. Journal of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, 2025. Consult the source
- Espinosa Reyes JA, Camacho Triana JG. Buccal Fat Reduction-: Indications, Surgical Techniques, Complications. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America, 2022. Consult the source
- Sirimahachaiyakul P, Tansawet A, Wannachamras S. Success Rate of Buccal Fat Pad Removal in Cases of Previous Injection Lipolysis of the Cheeks-: A Comparative Analysis. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, 2023. Consult the source
