Bichectomy recovery: swelling, eating and when you see results
Updated: 10 hours ago
Medical editor: Dr. Semih Yıldız, plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeon (FEBOPRAS) · Last updated: October 2026
Bichectomy has short downtime but a slow result. Most people are back at a desk job within 3–5 days. For the first days the cheeks are swollen and can look even fuller than before; most of the swelling settles over 2–3 weeks, a slimmer cheek line starts to show at around one month, and the final result takes 3–6 months.
Because the incisions are inside your mouth, recovery mainly means protecting them while they heal: soft food at first, careful mouth hygiene and no smoking. With bichectomy in Istanbul, the pre-operative tests, your face-to-face consultation with Dr. Semih Yıldız and the operation all happen on one day, and most patients are back at their hotel a few hours later.
The first three days
When the anaesthetic wears off, the cheeks feel tight and swollen, and opening your mouth wide may feel stiff. This is most noticeable in the first 2–3 days. Discomfort is usually manageable with the pain relief you are given.
A few simple measures help in these days:
Rest with your head raised on an extra pillow, which limits swelling in the face.
If your team recommends it, hold a cold compress wrapped in a cloth against the outside of the cheeks for short periods.
Avoid hot drinks and chewing until any numbness from local anaesthesia has gone, so that you do not burn or bite your cheek.
Slightly pink saliva on the first day is common. Steady bleeding from the mouth is not and should be reported.
Eating and drinking in stages
The incisions sit on the inside of the cheeks, close to where food is chewed, so your diet changes over the first weeks:
Days 1–3: soft, lukewarm food that needs little chewing, such as yoghurt, soup that has cooled down, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs or porridge.
Rest of the first week: soft but more substantial meals, such as pasta, rice, fish and well-cooked vegetables, in small bites.
Weeks 2–3: a gradual return to your usual diet as the swelling settles.
Until then, leave out hard and crunchy food, nuts and seeds that can lodge in the incisions, very spicy dishes, chewing gum and very hot drinks. Skip alcohol for the first days too, as it can increase swelling and does not mix well with some medicines.
Caring for the incisions
Dissolvable stitches close the incisions, so nothing has to be removed; they loosen and disappear on their own as the tissue heals. After each meal, rinse with water or the prescribed mouthwash so that no food stays along the incision lines.
In the first days the incision lines are often covered by a thin white or yellowish layer. This is a normal part of healing inside the mouth, not pus, and it should not be brushed or scraped away.
Brush your teeth gently with a soft brush, taking care around the inside of the cheeks. Try not to pull your cheek outwards to inspect the stitches or to explore them with your tongue, as both put tension on the healing edges. Smoking and nicotine products should be avoided for at least 4 weeks after surgery, because they reduce blood flow to the tissue that is healing.
Swelling and results: a realistic timeline
Swelling is the main reason a bichectomy cannot be judged early. The usual course looks like this:
First 2–3 days: the cheeks are at their most swollen and may look rounder than before surgery.
Days 3–5: a check-up is done, and most people are cleared to fly home.
Weeks 2–3: most of the visible swelling has gone and you can eat normally again.
Around one month: the lower cheek starts to look noticeably slimmer.
Months 3–6: the last, subtle swelling resolves and the final shape appears.
It is common for one side to stay a little more swollen than the other for a while, and for the face to look puffier in the morning than in the evening. Neither says anything about the final symmetry, which can only be judged after several months. If you want to follow the change, take photos in the same light and from the same angle every few weeks; they show the trend far better than daily checks in the mirror.
Work, travel and exercise
Desk work is usually possible after 3–5 days, which is also when the check-up before the flight home normally takes place. If your job involves meeting people, the swelling may still be noticeable during the first two weeks.
Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and anything that raises your blood pressure should wait until the bulk of the swelling has gone down and your surgeon agrees. Sports with a risk of a knock to the face need a longer break. Once you are home, the team keeps track of your healing through photos and video calls, so questions about swelling can be answered remotely.
Signs to report straight away
Some swelling and tenderness are part of normal healing. Contact the surgical team without waiting for the next check-up if you notice:
swelling on one side that grows quickly, feels tight or becomes very painful at any time, including the first hours and days (this can be a collection of blood, a haematoma, which should be checked the same day), or swelling that starts to increase again after it had begun to settle
fever, worsening pain, a bad taste or discharge from an incision
bleeding inside the mouth that does not stop with gentle pressure
a swelling in the cheek that grows at mealtimes, which can rarely point to a problem with the salivary duct
weakness when moving the upper lip or smiling on one side once the anaesthetic has worn off
opening your mouth becoming harder rather than easier after the first week, or swallowing becoming more painful instead of less
Difficulty breathing or swallowing is an emergency: call 112 in Turkey or your local emergency number straight away, then let the team know.
Preparation and the steps of the operation itself are explained on our page about buccal fat removal.
Frequently asked questions
Will I have bruising on my face after a bichectomy?
Some people develop mild bruising on the cheeks, but because the incisions are inside the mouth, visible bruising is usually limited and fades over the following days. Swelling is the more noticeable change in the first weeks. It is also the main reason the result cannot be judged early, so photos taken in the first month are not a fair comparison.
When can I see my dentist after a bichectomy?
Routine check-ups and cleaning are better planned after the incisions have healed and most of the swelling has settled, because they involve stretching the cheeks and opening wide. If you need urgent dental care in the meantime, tell your dentist about the operation and let the surgical team know as well.
Can I fly home soon after a bichectomy?
Most patients are cleared to fly after the check-up around day 3–5. Flying does not usually affect incisions inside the mouth, but the trip is easier if you plan soft food and water for the way home and keep your mouthwash and medicines in your hand luggage. Book your return with these 3–5 days in mind.
If you would like to plan your recovery around work and travel, you can send your photos for a free online assessment and receive a personalised plan.
This article provides general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary from person to person.
Comments