This fat pad not only protects the salivary gland and the muscles above it also ensures that those muscles slide over each other during facial expression movements. As it is located in the middle of the face, it provides a rounded appearance to the face and if the fat tissue is large in size then face looks fuller and fat. In addition to all that, it can cause facial features to appear less prominent. People who want a thinner cheeks although they do not have a fat face and those who want to have more prominent cheekbones are ideal candidates for bichectomy.

Although bichectomy has been performed very frequently in recent years, the indication must be determined very well and the best one is for people who has plump cheeks that makes prominent cheekbones less visible.

Usually bichectomy surgeries performed under local anesthesia. To start with, a small mucous incision is made with the tip of a thin forceps in the mouth under the cheekbone, then the muscle tissue is reached and gently separated, that way the adipose tissue is reached and taken out with surgical tools. The important point here is that if it is not necessary, then the adipose tissue is not removed completely. Remaining adipose tissue would act as a protector in the region from movements of the muscles and salivary gland. It is absolutely necessary to be extra cautious while cutting and taking the fat out. There should be no incision in the structures of facial nerves, muscles and salivary gland duct. Bleeding can be prevented by either ligating or burning the feeding blood vessels.

Then, the incision is closed with one or two absorbable stitches. It is appropriate to use painkillers after the surgery. Applying ice to the face for 1-2 days will prevent swelling that may happen.