For patients in South Africa

Buccal fat removal in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

Buccal fat removal reduces the fat pads in the lower cheeks to give a slimmer, more contoured face and clearer cheekbones. The change is permanent, because the removed fat does not grow back. It is a short operation, but it cannot be undone, so it is worth understanding who it suits before planning a trip from South Africa.

Who it suits

• People with naturally full or round cheeks that stay prominent at a healthy weight
• People who want a slimmer face with clearer cheekbones
• People in good general health who do not smoke, or can stop before surgery
• People with realistic expectations about the result and recovery

Faces naturally lose volume with age, and removing too much fat when young can leave the cheeks looking hollow later, so the surgeon will be cautious about how much to take. If you have the opposite problem, hollow cheeks, facial fat transfer or cheek implants may be more relevant. More detail is on the buccal fat removal treatment page.

How it is done

You send photographs and your goals for a surgical plan. On arrival in İzmir you have health checks, blood tests and a face-to-face meeting with the surgeon. The fat pads are reached through a small cut inside the mouth, on the inner cheek, so there is no scar on the face. The operation typically takes 45 to 90 minutes.

How long to stay, and the flight home

After surgery you recover at Mandarin Grove with nursing checks and follow-up. Most patients are cleared to fly after three to five days. Direct flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town to Istanbul take around ten hours, followed by a short domestic flight to İzmir. South Africans need an e-Visa before travelling.

• Rest with your head raised for the first three days
• Follow a soft diet while the inside of the mouth heals
• Keep your mouth clean as instructed
• Avoid strenuous exercise until the surgeon clears you

Recovery at home

In the first week the cheeks often look fuller than the final result because of swelling. Most people return to normal daily activities within one to two weeks, and the contours become more defined over weeks two to six. The remaining swelling goes over three to six months, when you see the final shape. Follow-up continues by photograph and message; İzmir is one hour ahead of South Africa. Keep your GP or dentist informed.

Surgical treatments are covered by our treatment guarantee for one year from the date of treatment. It covers medical complications from the operation and any revision the treating team judges clinically necessary; that treatment is carried out in İzmir at no charge, but flights and accommodation are your own responsibility. It does not cover a preference for a different look where the result falls within what was discussed before surgery.

Risks

The surgeon discusses the risks openly before you agree. They include swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, asymmetry and slow wound healing, and less often bleeding, infection, injury to nearby structures such as the salivary duct or branches of the facial nerve, or the need for revision surgery.

What we will not do

We will not recommend buccal fat removal if your cheeks are already slim or if weight loss is likely to change your face, we will not promise a particular look, and we will not confirm a plan before a surgeon has assessed you. Read our clinic facts and complaints page first, and see other options in the face surgery guide for South African patients.

Frequently asked questions

Is buccal fat removal permanent?

Yes. The buccal fat pads that are removed do not grow back, so the result is permanent and needs no maintenance.

Will there be a visible scar?

No scar shows on the face, because the fat is removed through a small cut on the inside of the cheek.

How long after buccal fat removal can I fly home to South Africa?

Most patients are cleared to fly after three to five days, once the surgeon has checked them. The flight from Istanbul to Johannesburg or Cape Town takes around ten hours.

When will I see the final result?

The cheeks look fuller than the final result at first because of swelling. Most swelling settles over the first weeks, and the final contour shows at three to six months.

Will my medical aid pay for it?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover cosmetic facial surgery, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad. Check with both before you book.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.