Double Chin Lipo, Laser Tightening & Bichectomy, Istanbul

Patient Overview

• Patient: Vanessa

• Age: 27 years old

• Gender: Female

• From: United States

• Procedures: Double Chin Liposuction with Internal Laser Skin Tightening, Buccal Fat Removal (Bichectomy) — all under local anesthesia

• After photos taken at: 3 months post-surgery

• Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Face Contouring Without General Anesthesia: Vanessa's Story

Vanessa is a 27-year-old patient from the United States who traveled to Istanbul, Turkey to undergo a combination of double chin liposuction with internal laser skin tightening and buccal fat removal (bichectomy) with Dr. Cem Berkay Sinaci. Remarkably, both procedures were performed under local anesthesia — no general anesthesia, no hospital admission, and no lengthy recovery. Vanessa returned to Dr. CBS three months later for a follow-up procedure, and her after photos were taken at that visit — giving us a clear and well-matured view of her results at 3 months.

At 27, Vanessa was not looking for age reversal — she wanted definition. The combination of a double chin and rounded, full cheeks from buccal fat made her lower face appear heavier and less defined than her bone structure deserved. By addressing both areas in a single outpatient session, Dr. CBS was able to sharpen the jawline, slim the cheeks, and reveal the facial contour that was always there — simply hidden beneath excess submental and buccal fat.

Double Chin Liposuction: Removing Stubborn Submental Fat

A double chin — medically known as submental fat accumulation — is one of the most common aesthetic concerns among young adults, and one of the most resistant to diet and exercise. The fat beneath the chin and above the neck is hormonally influenced and genetically predisposed, meaning many people carry it regardless of their overall body weight or fitness level. Thin, healthy, active individuals can have a persistent double chin simply because of their genetic fat distribution pattern — and no amount of cardio, neck exercises, or fat-burning supplements will significantly reduce it.

Chin liposuction is the most effective and permanent solution for submental fat. Through a tiny incision hidden beneath the chin — typically 2 to 3mm, virtually invisible when healed — Dr. CBS inserts a fine cannula and removes the excess fat precisely and selectively. The result is a dramatically sharper jawline definition, a cleaner transition from the chin to the neck, and a significantly more refined facial profile — from both the front and the side. The procedure takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes under local anesthesia, with minimal downtime.

Internal Laser Skin Tightening: Tightening From the Inside Out

Liposuction alone removes fat — but in younger patients with good skin elasticity, the skin snaps back naturally after the fat is removed. In some cases, especially where the double chin has been present for a long time or where skin laxity is a concern, internal laser skin tightening is added to enhance the result.

Internal laser liposuction — performed with devices such as Smartlipo or similar laser-assisted liposuction technology — combines fat removal with a thermal energy component that is delivered directly beneath the skin. The laser energy liquefies fat cells for easier removal while simultaneously heating the underside of the skin, stimulating collagen contraction and new collagen production. This produces a skin-tightening effect from within — helping the skin retract more tightly around the new contour after the fat is removed, and reducing the risk of any loose or redundant skin in the submental area. For Vanessa at 27, her skin elasticity was naturally good, and the addition of laser tightening ensures the optimal long-term result.

Buccal Fat Removal (Bichectomy): Slimming the Cheeks

Buccal fat pads are naturally occurring fat deposits that sit deep within the cheeks, between the facial muscles, beneath the cheekbones. In some individuals these pads are disproportionately large, giving the face a round, full, or "chubby" appearance even when the person is at a healthy weight. This is a structural characteristic — not a reflection of overall body fat levels — and it does not change significantly with weight loss.

Buccal fat removal — also called bichectomy — is a minimally invasive procedure performed through two small incisions inside the mouth, leaving no visible external scars. Through these incisions, Dr. CBS gently removes a carefully determined portion of each buccal fat pad, slimming the midface and creating more visible cheekbone definition and a narrower lower facial width. The procedure takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes under local anesthesia.

Bichectomy is one of the most popular facial contouring procedures among women and men in their twenties and thirties who have good bone structure but feel their face appears fuller or rounder than they would like. It is important that the right amount of buccal fat is removed — too little yields a negligible result, while too much can lead to an overly gaunt appearance as natural age-related fat loss adds to the reduction over time. Dr. CBS assesses each patient's facial proportions carefully to determine the appropriate volume of fat removal for a natural, balanced result.

Combining Both Procedures Under Local Anesthesia

One of the most appealing aspects of Vanessa's treatment was that both procedures — chin liposuction with laser tightening and buccal fat removal — were performed in a single session under local anesthesia. No general anesthesia means no intubation, no anaesthesiologist, no hospital stay, and none of the post-anesthetic side effects — nausea, grogginess, or the extended recovery that comes with waking up from a general. The patient is comfortable, awake, and able to leave the clinic within a few hours of arriving.

For younger patients who want facial contouring results without committing to the recovery of a major operation, this combination under local anesthesia is an ideal option. The procedures complement each other naturally: the chin liposuction addresses the lower face and submental area, while the bichectomy slims the midface — together creating a comprehensive facial slimming and contouring effect that reshapes the overall facial silhouette. Recovery from both procedures combined is minimal — most patients experience mild swelling for 1 to 2 weeks and return to normal activity within a few days.

Results at 3 Months: Defined Jaw, Slimmer Cheeks

These before and after photos were taken 3 months after surgery — an excellent time point to assess the final results. By 3 months, all swelling from both procedures has fully resolved, the skin has retracted and tightened over the new submental contour, and the buccal fat reduction is fully visible. The bichectomy result in particular takes time to fully appear, as some initial post-operative swelling inside the cheeks can temporarily mask the slimming effect in the first few weeks.

At 3 months, the transformation in Vanessa's facial contour is clear: the double chin has been eliminated, the jawline is sharper and more defined, the transition from chin to neck is clean and angular, and the cheeks are visibly slimmer with better cheekbone definition. These are permanent results — the fat cells that were removed do not return, and the reduction in buccal fat volume does not reverse. Weight fluctuations may slightly affect the appearance of remaining facial fat, but the structural change achieved by the surgery is lasting.

Why Young American Patients Choose Istanbul for Facial Contouring

The cost of elective facial procedures in the United States — even minimally invasive outpatient surgeries like chin liposuction and bichectomy — can be significantly higher than the same procedures in Istanbul, where surgical fees, facility costs, and follow-up care are all substantially more accessible. For younger patients who are paying for surgery independently and are looking for quality results at a realistic price point, Istanbul has become an increasingly attractive and practical destination.

Dr. Cem Berkay Sinaci is a European and Turkish board-certified plastic surgeon, Fellow of the European Board of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (EBOPRAS), and member of ISAPS and ASPS. He performs the full range of facial contouring procedures — chin liposuction, buccal fat removal, liposuction, and combined face contouring — with precise technique and a thorough understanding of facial proportions and aesthetics. If you are considering double chin liposuction, bichectomy, or any facial contouring procedure in Istanbul, contact Dr. CBS to arrange a consultation.