Treatment guide

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Surgery Cost in 2022?

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Аrticle author
Anna Leonova

Medically reviewed by
Yan Matsiievskiy

Updated: 22.02.2022
Minutes to read: 9 minutes

Table of Contents

The buccal fat removal surgery (also referred to as bichectomy, cheek reduction, buccal lipectomy) cost fluctuates within $700-$2,000 (Turkey, Mexico) and reaches up to $8,000 in the UK or the USA. Below you can see the outline representing the pricing gap worldwide according to Bookimed and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons data:
Low End$700
Average$4,350
High end$8,000

Rounded cheeks like in a child may look pretty. However, this feature can make a facial contour uneven, adding unnecessary volume. The best way to solve this issue forever is to do a buccal fat removal surgery. This operation is quick (about 30-60 minutes), safe, with smooth recovery, and painless. 

Explore the article to find out what buccal fat removal is, how it is performed, how much it costs, and where you can find cheaper options.

What Is Buccal Fat Removal?

Every person has buccal fat pads. They are rounded fat masses located in the middle of cheeks, underlying facial muscles, and cheekbones. Buccal fat removal is an operation to extract these fat pads for reducing cheek volume and improving facial contour.

These masses can be removed only with an operation, as long as the buccal fat pads do not disappear even after extreme weight loss.

A procedure is performed under local anesthesia through an internal incision in the mouth, so no visible scarring or traces remain after bichectomy.

How Much Does Buccal Fat Removal Cost?

Bichectomy Costs Worldwide

Minimal price $700
Average price $4,350
Maximum cost $8,000

Prices in the USA

Minimal price $3,000
Average price $5,500
Maximum cost $8,000

Prices in the UK

Minimal price £3,000 ($4,100)
Average price £4,000 ($5,400)
Maximum cost £5,000 ($6,800)

Prices Range by a County

CountryCost
Turkey$700
Mexico$500
Thailand$1,000
Ukraine$500
South Korea$2,400
Great Britain$4,100
United States$3,000

What Factors Do Determine a Bichectomy Cost?

When it is determined that you are a good candidate for buccal fat removal extraction, it is time to estimate how much it costs to do a buccal lipectomy. As you have checked the material above, you see that the buccal fat removal prices fluctuate by several times between its low and high-end prices. Let’s sort out the criteria mainly affecting an ultimate bichectomy cost:

1

Location. The primary factor that affects fat removal cost is the country where a person wants to have this operation. The deal is that each country has its internal price policy for all goods and services provided and average income level among citizens. For instance, you can do buccal fat removal in Mexico or Turkey 2-4 times cheaper than in the USA or the UK, where patients pay for cheek reduction surgery $3,000-$8,000.

2

Facility. The next point that determines buccal fat pad removal cost is a clinic’s service level and its popularity with international patients. Plastic surgery centers with proper certifications and accreditations confirming their high level of medical care and service, verified patient reviews typically ask 10-15% higher prices than average across the country.

3

Plastic surgeon’s skills. The success of any operation significantly depends on doctors’ experience and their skills. Top-tier plastic surgeons with proven expertise ask higher buccal fat removal costs than their less-experienced colleagues.

4

Recovery. Patients usually tolerate cheek reduction surgery well. However, some people may require additional follow-ups, painkillers, and other prescriptions. So it is important to keep these possible expenses in mind.

If you want to find out an exact bichectomy surgery cost, you should first decide where you want to get this procedure — at home or abroad. 

Submit a request to receive available buccal fat removal deals across the world.

What Does the Price of Buccal Fat Removal Consist Of?

When you explore buccal fat reduction prices, you may face such situations when these costs are pointed only for surgery without additional expenses. Below we provide a list of component services. You should specify whether a price covers them before booking:

Medical tests. It is necessary to do blood tests before intervention at the clinic. Typically, this option must be included in a buccal fat removal cost.

Plastic surgeon’s fee. Some clinics may include a doctor’s fee in the price, but some — not. Ask it in advance to avoid unforeseen expenses.

Anesthesiologist’s fee. One more item of expenditure is anesthesia fees. A patient should pay for an anesthetic solution and doctor’s fee. However, some facilities include these expenses in the price, so no extra charges are required.

Accommodation. If a person decides to do buccal fat removal in another country, they should be ready to pay for a hotel stay during a procedure process and follow-up. Still, some clinics, specially those located in Turkey, provide accommodation as a bonus offering a stay in partner hotels.

Transfer. When you land at the airport, clinics usually arrange transfers. This option may be free or paid extra.

Interpreting services. Inbound patients coming for buccal fat extraction abroad may face language barriers. Clinics accepting international patients provide interpreting services during consultations with doctors and medical staff. Specify whether this option is available and how much you should pay.

Note that a high price does not mean that all the above-mentioned items are included. For instance, Turkish medical centers provide pretty affordable prices, but all these services are already in. 

You can always ask the Bookimed medical coordinator what items are covered within buccal fat removal cost in a particular country.

Buccal Fat Removal Prices Comparison Globally

As we mentioned above, the price for bichectomy may drastically range from one country to another country. Check the table below to find out how much it costs to get buccal fat removal:

CountryLow endAverageHigh end
Turkey$700$1,800$3,000
Mexico$500$770$1,000
Thailand$1,000$1,200$1,300
Ukraine$500$1,100$1,700
South Korea$2,400$2,400$2,400
Great Britain$4,100$5,400$6,800
United States$3,000$5,500$8,000

The given buccal lipectomy prices are approximate. Only a plastic surgeon during a consultation can determine the exact cost of a procedure.

What Is the Average Cost of Cheek Reduction Surgery?

An average cost of buccal fat removal is $1,750, according to Bookimed data based on 54 plastic surgery clinics in 10 countries. This price may change, depending on the country where you plan to obtain a bichectomy, clinic’s reputation, and the skill of a doctor who will manage surgery.

Where to Get Buccal Fat Removal Surgery Cheaper?

You can cheap buccal fat extraction in such countriesas Turkey, Mexico, the Czech Republic, Ukraine. The average cost here for an operation ranges within $700-$1,500. In contrast, the same procedure in the USA or the UK will cost you $4,000-$5,000 on average. 

So, even with flight ticket charges, traveling to another country is more profitable than having this surgery in the United States or the United Kingdom, for instance.

Does Insurance Cover Buccal Fat Pad Removal Surgery?

According to NHS and AMA, there are 2 types of plastic surgery procedures:

  • Cosmetic operations aim to reshape normal tissue, cartilage, and bone structures. These cases are not covered by insurance.
  • Reconstructive operations are performed to correct abnormal conditions caused by trauma, injury, burns, disease, or congenital abnormalities. These cases are covered by insurance.

Buccal fat removal belongs to cosmetic surgery, so all the expenses a person will pay from their own pocket. 

How Bookimed Can Help You

Bookimed is the fastest-growing medical tourism platform worldwide. Our priorities are excellent service and patient safety. We cooperate with 820+ top-tier clinics worldwide to provide the best solution in your case. Follow this guide to start with Bookimed:

  • Submit a request on Bookimed.
  • Bookimed medical coordinator will call you back to answer all questions about buccal fat removal prices, clinics, and doctors.
  • You pick the best option for you.
  • Bookimed medical coordinator schedules a procedure at a convenient date for you at a chosen clinic.
  • You confirm your arrival.
  • Bookimed medical coordinator arranges your trip: process documents, book tickets, and a hotel.
  • You arrive at the clinic.
  • Bookimed medical coordinators stay in touch with you during your stay in a country until you return home to provide assistance.
  • Bookimed services are free. You pay only the costs determined in the official clinic’s price list. 

Takeaways

Buccal fat removal surgery is an effective procedure to slim your cheek, make your face well-contoured, and have cheekbones defined. The cost of a procedure is medium-level. However, you can head to any country and get bichectomy cheaper thanks to medical tourism. 

Still, you need to pick a clinic and a doctor to manage a procedure carefully to avoid fraud and poor results in advance. The best way is to contact Bookimed medical tourism platform to arrange your buccal fat removal journey fast and safely.

Citations

  1. Healthline. (2020). All About Buccal Fat Removal for Thinner Cheeks. https://www.healthline.com/health/all-about-buccal-fat-removal-for-thinner-cheeks
  2. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Buccal Fat Removal. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/buccal-fat-removal
  3. National Health Service. (2019). Is cosmetic surgery available on the NHS? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-procedures-on-the-nhs/
  4. American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/