In facial aesthetics, the chin and cheeks should not be evaluated in isolation. The relationship between the forehead, nose, cheekbones, midface, lips, chin, and jawline determines the overall balance of the face.
Congenital facial anatomy, age-related volume loss, or significant weight changes may lead to reduced volume in the cheeks and midface. In some patients, excess fullness in the cheek area may contribute to a rounder facial appearance.
Similarly, a chin that is recessed, prominent, short, long, or disproportionate to the rest of the face can affect the overall profile.
In Dr. Atilla Fesli’s approach, the goal is not to apply the same facial proportions to every patient or to fit the face into a predetermined geometric template. The existing facial anatomy, bone structure, soft-tissue distribution, and the patient’s expectations are evaluated together to create an individualized plan that supports the natural balance of the face.
Treatment options may include fat transfer, appropriate dermal filler treatments, facial implants, buccal fat surgery, or procedures involving the underlying bone structure when indicated.
The goal is not to make the face as slim, angular, or standardized as possible.
The primary objective is to evaluate the proportions between the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the face and address the underlying cause of any imbalance.
If there is volume deficiency in the cheek or midface area, support may be added around the midface or cheekbones.
If the chin is recessed or disproportionate to the rest of the face, procedures to improve chin projection may be considered.
If buccal fat contributes significantly to fullness in the lower face, buccal fat surgery may be considered in carefully selected patients.
Patients who feel that their chin is recessed or disproportionate to the rest of their face may be evaluated for chin enhancement.
Different treatment options may also be considered for patients with congenital volume deficiency in the cheeks or midface, or those who have experienced volume loss due to aging or weight loss.
Some patients with noticeable fullness in the lower face may be evaluated for buccal fat reduction.
However, not every round face is caused by buccal fat, just as not every recessed-looking chin should be treated with a chin implant.
Being dissatisfied with the appearance of the chin or cheeks does not automatically mean that a specific surgical procedure is necessary.
For example, facial width may be related to bone structure, the masseter muscles, subcutaneous fat, or buccal fat.
Similarly, a recessed-looking chin may be related not only to limited chin projection but also to a retruded lower jaw or problems with dental occlusion.
For this reason, particularly when there is a significant bite problem or skeletal jaw discrepancy, orthodontic or maxillofacial surgical evaluation may be necessary.
During a consultation with Dr. Atilla Fesli, the face is evaluated from both the frontal and profile views.
Forehead and midface projection, cheekbones, cheek volume, the nose, lips, chin position, mandibular contour, and the transition between the chin and neck are assessed together.
Natural asymmetries between the right and left sides of the face are also evaluated.
Dental occlusion and the relationship between the upper and lower jaws are particularly important when planning chin procedures.
Previous fillers, fat injections, implants, or other facial surgeries are also taken into consideration when developing a new treatment plan.
Traditional aesthetic surgery analysis may use various proportions and reference lines to assess the relationship between different areas of the face.
However, fixed measurements such as “the male chin must be exactly on this line” or “the female chin should be 2–3 mm behind it” should not be treated as universal rules of beauty.
Sex, ethnic characteristics, facial skeletal structure, lip projection, nasal anatomy, and the individual character of the face can all influence these proportions.
For Dr. Atilla Fesli, measurements are reference tools that can assist surgical planning—not rules intended to turn the face into a mathematical template.
Different methods may be considered depending on the degree of volume loss in the cheeks or midface and the patient’s anatomy.
For limited volume deficiency, appropriate dermal filler treatments may be considered.
For larger areas, facial fat transfer using the patient’s own fat may be an option.
In certain anatomical situations, synthetic facial implants may also be considered.
The appropriate method depends on the amount of volume required, skin and soft-tissue characteristics, the desired degree of change, and the patient’s expectations regarding treatment and surgery.
Cheek implants are synthetic implants used to create structural projection in the cheekbone and midface region.
The size, shape, and position of the implant should be planned according to the patient’s facial anatomy.
The goal is not to make the cheekbones as prominent as possible, but to create balanced projection between the midface and the other areas of the face.
Not every patient with volume deficiency requires an implant. Fat transfer or other methods may be more appropriate for some patients.
The buccal fat pad is a natural fat compartment located deep within the cheek.
In a procedure commonly known as bichectomy or buccal fat removal, a portion of this tissue may be reduced through an incision inside the mouth in suitable patients.
The goal is not to make the face as thin as possible, but to refine the lower cheek contour in carefully selected patients with naturally prominent buccal fullness.
Complete removal of the buccal fat pad should not be the objective.
No.
Patient selection is particularly important for this procedure.
A wide or round facial appearance may be related to bone structure, masseter muscles, subcutaneous fat, or overall body-fat distribution.
Buccal fat is also part of the face’s natural volume. Because facial volume naturally decreases with aging, excessive removal may contribute to a hollow or prematurely aged appearance later in life.
For this reason, patients who already have thin faces or are prone to facial volume loss require especially careful evaluation.
The buccal fat pad is generally accessed through a small incision inside the mouth.
For this reason, there may be no conventional surgical scar on the external skin.
However, rather than describing the procedure as “completely scarless,” it is more accurate to explain that the incision is located inside the mouth.
An intraoral incision is still a surgical wound and requires appropriate postoperative care.
The appropriate method depends on the underlying cause of the concern.
For limited projection requirements, dermal fillers or fat transfer may be considered in suitable patients.
When more structural projection is required, a chin implant may be an option.
In patients who require more substantial changes to the size, shape, or position of the chin bone, procedures involving the bone itself may be considered.
Skeletal problems affecting the relationship between the upper and lower jaws or dental occlusion should be evaluated differently from purely aesthetic chin-tip surgery.
A chin implant is a synthetic material used to alter chin projection and, in selected cases, chin contour.
The size and shape of the implant are selected according to the patient’s facial anatomy.
Using the largest possible implant does not mean achieving a better result.
The goal is to provide enough projection to support balance between the nose, lips, chin, and neck.
Although the chin and nose are anatomically separate structures, they are perceived together when viewing the facial profile.
A recessed chin may contribute to the nose appearing more prominent than it actually is. Similarly, nasal projection can influence how the chin is perceived.
For this reason, evaluating chin projection in some patients planning rhinoplasty can provide a more complete analysis of profile balance.
This does not mean that every rhinoplasty patient needs a chin procedure.
In addition to chin projection, submental fat, skin quality, and neck anatomy can influence the appearance of the jawline.
For this reason, the idea that the “chin–neck angle must be exactly 90 degrees” should not be treated as an absolute aesthetic goal.
In some patients, the main issue is limited chin projection, while in others submental fat or skin laxity may be more significant.
Therefore, there is no single procedure that should be applied to every patient seeking a more defined jawline.
This depends on the technique used.
Some chin implant procedures or bone surgeries can be performed through an incision inside the mouth, while other techniques may use a small external incision beneath the chin.
For this reason, it would not be accurate to state that chin surgery never leaves a visible scar.
The incision location is determined according to the surgical technique and the patient’s anatomy.
The type of anesthesia depends on the procedure being performed.
A limited buccal fat procedure and a more extensive chin implant or bone surgery do not have the same anesthesia requirements.
Local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia may be considered depending on the extent of the procedure.
Similarly, it would not be accurate to give a standard surgical duration such as 30–50 minutes for every operation.
Dr. Atilla Fesli determines the surgical duration and anesthesia plan according to the selected procedure and the patient’s overall health.
Recovery varies depending on the procedure performed.
After buccal fat surgery, swelling of the cheeks and tenderness inside the mouth may occur.
Following chin implant surgery or procedures involving the bone, swelling, tightness, bruising, and temporary sensory changes may occur around the chin.
The appearance of the face during the first few days does not represent the final result.
Swelling takes time to resolve, and the tissues need time to adapt to the new contour. For this reason, standard claims such as “you will be completely back to normal within one or two days” are not appropriate.
Like other surgical procedures, chin and cheek surgery is not risk-free.
Possible complications include bleeding, hematoma, infection, swelling, asymmetry, contour irregularities, undercorrection or overcorrection, and sensory changes.
When implants are used, implant-related complications such as displacement, infection, asymmetry, or the need for revision surgery in the future may occur.
In buccal fat surgery, rare but significant complications involving nearby anatomical structures, such as nerve injury or injury to the salivary duct, are possible.
For procedures involving the bone, the individual risk profile depends on the specific surgery being performed and should be evaluated accordingly.
The human face is naturally not perfectly symmetrical.
Differences between the right and left cheekbones, cheek volume, mandible, and chin may be present before surgery.
Surgery may reduce these differences, but mathematically perfect symmetry cannot be guaranteed.
The face also continues to age.
Particularly in procedures that reduce facial fat, future natural volume loss should be considered during preoperative planning.
During postoperative follow-up, swelling, incision sites, healing inside the mouth, sensory changes, and facial contours are evaluated.
In patients with implants, implant position and healing of the surrounding tissues are also monitored.
Because of early postoperative swelling, the true facial contour may not be immediately apparent.
Over the long term, aging, weight changes, and changes in the soft tissues will continue to influence facial appearance.
What are chin and cheek aesthetic procedures?
They do not refer to a single operation. They include different surgical and non-surgical approaches to chin projection, cheek volume, buccal fat, and overall facial proportions, selected according to the individual patient.
If I have a round face, should I have a bichectomy?
A round face alone is not an indication for buccal fat removal. It is important to determine whether facial width is primarily related to bone structure, muscle, subcutaneous fat, or buccal fat.
Can bichectomy make the face look slimmer?
In suitable patients, it may reduce fullness in the lower cheek area. However, the degree of change depends on the individual anatomy.
Is all of the buccal fat removed?
The goal is not to remove as much fat as possible. Because excessive volume loss may contribute to a hollow appearance later in life, a conservative approach is important.
Can bichectomy make my face look older in the future?
The face naturally loses volume with age. Therefore, particularly in patients with thin faces or when excessive buccal fat is removed, future age-related volume loss may become more noticeable.
How can hollow cheeks be treated?
Depending on the underlying cause, options may include dermal fillers, fat transfer using the patient’s own fat, or implants in suitable patients.
Is fat transfer or a cheek implant better?
Neither method is universally better. The amount of structural support required, existing soft tissue, and the patient’s expectations help determine which approach may be more appropriate.
Do chin fillers and chin implants produce the same result?
No. The materials used, the degree of projection that can be created, and the characteristics of the procedures are different. The appropriate option should be determined according to the patient’s needs.
Can every recessed chin be treated with an implant?
No. Patients with a retruded lower jaw or problems with dental occlusion may require different skeletal treatment approaches.
Is a chin implant permanent?
A chin implant may be placed for long-term use, but no implant can be guaranteed to remain problem-free for life. Infection, displacement, or other issues may require revision in the future.
Can chin enhancement make my nose look smaller?
Changing chin projection can alter the balance between the nose and chin in profile and may affect how prominent the nose appears. However, it does not physically change the anatomy of the nose.
Can chin surgery and rhinoplasty be performed together?
They may be considered together in suitable patients. Because the nose and chin influence one another in profile, analyzing both areas can be helpful in selected patients.
Will chin and cheek surgery leave an external scar?
This depends on the technique used. Some procedures can be performed through incisions inside the mouth, while certain chin surgeries may require an external incision.
When will I see the result after bichectomy?
The result cannot be accurately assessed immediately because swelling is expected during the early period. As the swelling subsides, the cheek contour gradually becomes more defined.
Will chin or cheek surgery completely change my face?
The goal is not to change the patient’s facial identity, but to support balance, proportions, and transitions in areas where treatment is appropriate.
A consultation with Dr. Atilla Fesli can be arranged in Antalya, Türkiye or Doha, Qatar for chin enhancement, cheek contouring, buccal fat surgery, facial implants, and evaluation of overall facial proportions.
The consultation is not limited to questions such as “How much should my chin be enlarged?” or “How much fat should be removed from my cheeks?”
The nose, lips, cheekbones, cheek volume, chin projection, mandibular contour, chin–neck transition, and dental occlusion, when relevant, are evaluated together.
This makes it possible to determine whether the concern is primarily related to bone structure, fat distribution, volume loss, or a combination of several factors, and to develop an individualized treatment plan accordingly.
The goal of facial aesthetics is not to give everyone the same facial shape.
A slimmer cheek or a more prominent chin does not necessarily create a better result for every face. In some patients, reducing volume may be appropriate; in others, adding volume—or choosing not to intervene at all—may better preserve the natural balance of the face.
In Dr. Atilla Fesli’s approach, the relationship between the nose, cheeks, cheekbones, lips, and chin is evaluated as a whole, with the goal of planning a balanced result while preserving the patient’s facial identity.
Dr. Atilla Fesli
Antalya, Türkiye • Doha, Qatar
Natural. Balanced. Still You.
Op. Dr. Atilla Fesli
Doha, Qatar
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery in Doha, Qatar
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