Cheek Augmentation

Individuals with frail cheek structure or who lost the cheek contour due to effects of age will benefit from the aesthetic quotient that a cheek augmentation can lend.  What makes cheek augmentation a very attractive cosmetic solution is the simplicity of the whole procedure and the relatively low cost of the implant material.  The principal objective of cheek augmentation is to add volume or lift to the cheeks.

Varied surgical options for augmenting and enhancing the cheeks are fat grafting/transfer (where a patient’s own fat is used) or the use of solid cheek implants.  Let’s get to know cheek implants which are an integral part of cheek augmentation.

What are cheek implants?

Cheek implants are not a new thing in the medical field.  In fact, it has been in use since 1956 and has an impeccable record for safe and effective cosmetic enhancement.  Cheek implants add shape and form to cheek that lack definition.  They are made from a variety of synthetic materials that range from fairly rigid to flexible.  Cheek implants are made in a number of shapes and sizes, allowing doctors to customize for each individual’s needs.  

 Who is a candidate for cheek augmentation?

If you are healthy individual having realistic expectation and are bothered by the appearance of your cheek, then you can fix an appointment with the facial implant surgeon.  During the consultation you should inform the doctor if you have any conditions that might make you less likely to tolerate a cheek implant such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or severe dental disease.  You should be very frank with the doctor regarding the outcome of the surgery and should clearly point out those areas where you want an improvement to be seen. This will help the doctor to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.  It is advisable to spend some time reviewing cheek augmentation photos and learning about the recovery process post surgery.  Photographs of the cheek are likely to be taken before the surgery. 

Cheek augmentation surgery:

Before the procedure you will be requested to get certain lab tests done. Cheek augmentation surgery is generally performed in a hospital setting.  The appropriate anesthesia technique will be decided by the anesthetist in consultation with your surgeon.  Cheek augmentation involves multiple incisions, based on the technique used.  If the process requires fat transfer, you will likely have a small incision near the area of the fat is harvested.  Generally, these incisions only measure just millimeters in length.

If cheek implants are used, the type of incision depends on the surgeon’s preferred approach.  Post surgery with the help of sutures and skin incisions, the surgical site will be closed.  The final result immediately after the surgery may be obscured by swelling, but after a few weeks of the surgery you can expect fuller and possibly softer-appearing cheeks.  The outcome of solid cheek implants is permanent, whereas the results from fat transfer may last a good number of years.      

Post-surgery:

Make sure you follow the surgeon’s instructions during the recovery phase.  It is important that surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion or motion during the time of healing.

Cheek-implant surgery on children:

Apart from being a cosmetic procedure cheek implantation is also done on children as well.  Children with congenital deformity of the cheekbone, also known as the malar bone, often have repositioning of the cheekbone or the addition of bone to the malar bone to make it more prominent. 

To sum up, in adults where the cheekbones have developed normally, cheek augmentation is the preferred way to enhance this area in the most predictable way.  What more, it requires only little recovery time compared to other conventional surgeries.