What is a bichectomy, the facial surgery that Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox and Penelope Cruz have undergone


When we start hearing about a new cosmetic surgery or procedure, the ‘celebrities’ have been around for years (if not decades) performing this procedure without even being aware of it. The ‘foxy eyes’ that are so fashionable thanks to Bella Hadid, blepharoplasty or hyaluronic acid fillers are an example of this.

However, now there has been a lot of talk about one of the most demanded techniques, not only among celebrities, but also among anonymous women, such as the bichectomy. If there is an aesthetic retouching that a large part of the population would be willing to undergo, that is to refine the features of the face by enhancing the area of ​​the cheekbones.

Victoria Beckham, Kim Kardashian, Anya Taylor-Joy, Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lawrence, Penelope Cruz or even the queen Letizia, among others, could be a clear example that ending bichat balls is more common than it may seem at first, regardless of the age of the patient. The result is a sharper face, with more prominent cheekbones and highlighting the inverted triangle shape of the face.


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The bichectomy consists of removing the pockets of fat inside the mouth that “fatten” the face and they make us have very prominent cheeks. At first, the bichat balls are not harmful, but many people prefer to remove them to refine the features and stylize the face.

How is this technique performed?

As stated by Virtudes Ruiz, surgeon and aesthetic doctor, to elle“an incision of approximately 2 cm in cheeks from the cheeks where between 3 and 4 cm³ of fat is removed, the equivalent of an egg yolk”.

The approach of this technique is carried out inside the mouth, thus avoiding visible scars and with a single stitch. “The scars are only 1 centimeter, making it possible to extract the fat and remain hidden,” says Dr. Richard Fakin, a specialist in plastic, reconstructive surgery, and aesthetic medicine.

The intervention is generally quick, lasting between 20 and 30 minutes and is usually performed under local anesthesia in the incision area, ensuring greater patient comfort. In addition, this intervention is usually discharged the same day, so we could return to our normal lives.

Anya Taylor-Joy's face has set off alarm bells
Anya Taylor-Joy’s face has set off alarm bells
Getty Images

Which has benefits?

According to what the doctor tells us, among the benefits of this intervention is that patients get a facial appearance more slim and contoured “Many of the people who have this procedure have reported a high level of satisfaction after having the surgery,” and therefore their confidence and self-esteem have increased thanks to the results on their cheeks.

They also report that the procedure can be combined with others such as blepharoplasty (removal of excess skin on the eyelids), hyaluronic acid filler or lip lift to rejuvenate the face.

Can it have long-term consequences?

As much as we want to do this procedure, we also have to evaluate its cons and possible long-term unwanted effects. Although the side effects of the intervention, such as infections, excessive scarring or a slower recovery may occur, these are minimized if the surgery has been performed by a specialist in this type of intervention and the patient follows the doctor’s instructions after the operation.

On the other hand, the consequences of bichectomy are something to consider. According to the plastic surgeon, Dr. Carlos Gullón Cabrero, from ModelClinics Madrid, “among the disadvantages is that support for the facial structures is lost, for this reason, over the years, a face with little tissue can sometimes appear fatty, too sunken in its central area.

In the case of patients with thin skin, the main disadvantage would be a greater risk of suffering a structural change over the years, since the fat and bone support caused by natural aging is reduced. A good professional would not accept this type of patient and would only perform it on very full faces and thick or medium skin.

As we see, the sagging is common after the intervention, leaving a “dropped face” appearance. To avoid this, Dr. Gullón explains that he uses “bichectomy in a context of facial rejuvenation by means of lifting. In these cases, the bichectomy completes the facial rejuvenation process and allows an adequate balance of the facial fat compartments.”

Before undergoing any type of aesthetic treatment that will modify your features, remember to inform yourself very well beforegoing to reliable sources of information and always consulting with the doctor who is going to perform the intervention.


Penélope Cruz dressed in Dolce&Gabbana at the Goya 2023

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