Complete the form for guaranteed financing* with a board-certified surgeon:

First Name:

Email

Procedure

State:

* Individual financing rates and monthly payments are determined by credit score. A one time $25.00 credit application fee applies. †Guaranteed Approval applies only to first time customers. Additional loans subject to new credit approval.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cheek Augmentation

What is cheek augmentation surgery?
What are cheek implants made of?
What does a typical cheek augmentation consultation entail?
How is cheek augmentation performed?
What are the different techniques in performing a cheek augmentation?
What should I expect postoperatively?
When will the sutures be taken out and does this hurt?
Will there be scarring? If so where will the scars be located?
Is there a lot of swelling involved with cheek augmentation?
How long should I expect to be out of work?
When will I be able to see the results?
What are the risks of cheek augmentation?
How long do cheek implants last?

1. What is cheek augmentation surgery?

Originally cheek implants were used for reconstruction for birth defects and trauma related incidents. Now, they are routinely used to enhance a person's cheeks or to create symmetry within the facial structure and a better balance to the face. With cheek implants or augmentation, your face can have more chiseled features that are very aesthetically pleasing.

2. What are cheek implants made from?

The most commonly used type of chin implants are made from silicone, a solid plastic-like product that comes in several degrees of hardness. However, there are also cheek implants made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), rigid polyethylene, and hydroxyapatite (processed coral). The rigid polyethylene implants can be screwed into place on the bones of the face to prevent shifting of the implant postoperatively. The ePTFE implants are designed to be porous so that the tissues can attach themselves to the implant to prevent shifting. There are also polyester implants, carvable hydroxyapatite blocks, polymethylmethacrylate, methylmethacrylate and more.

Please refer to our sister site, CheekAugmentation.com for more information about these materials. Discuss with your doctor which implants he or she prefers and why.

3. What does a typical cheek augmentation consultation entail?

Your doctor will discuss your goals with you and he will explain what can be achieved realistically. The usual goal is to augment the cheekbone structure. Discuss with your surgeon the goals and general result you would like to achieve. It is all individual, just like you!

During the consultation, your doctor will examine your facial dimensions and natural face shape. There are many types of cheek implants. The placement as well as the size of the cheek implants will be determined by you and your doctor. Don't be afraid to speak your mind during this time.

4. How is cheek augmentation surgery performed?

Cheek augmentation is usually performed using light sleep anesthesia, but it can be done with general anesthesia. Light sleep anesthesia creates a state of relaxation and a light sleep. You can read more in our Anesthesia Section (LINK to http://wwwfacialplasticsurgery.net). Most patients will usually sleep during the operation and have very little memory of it. Some may be barely awake, but are very relaxed and pain free.

The procedure itself takes from 1 to 1. 5 hours to perform. It may take longer if you choose to other facial implants at the same time. Depending upon your facial structure the incisions will be placed as inconspicuously as possible within the hairline at the sides of your face or inside your mouth. Some doctors even place the incisions inside the lower eyelid area. The risk of infection can be higher if the incisions are placed within the mouth, but with proper postoperative care this risk can be minimized.

In most cases, you go home an hour or two after the surgery.

5. What are the different techniques in performing a cheek augmentation?

Some surgeons only wish to use a certain implant type or a certain incision location. Surgeons should give you a choice, as the updated techniques are less scarring than the previous ones. The doctor may prefer an oral approach where the only incisions are placed within the mouth area. No visible scars are made and oral incisions heal faster. However, oral incisions sometimes can have a higher rate of infection, especially in people with problems dental plaque build-up or poor dental hygiene. Some surgeons are inserting cheek implants through incisions on the inside of the lower eyelid. Infection here is rare, but there is the risk of ectropion, a gaping outward of the lower lid.

Discuss techniques with your surgeon at your consultation.

6. What should I expect postoperatively?

Although, there is usually no extensive pain related to cheek implantation, pain medication is prescribed beforehand. You may feel a degree of numbness in the cheek area and inside your mouth that will normally disappear within 1 to 3 months. You may need to wear a support bandage while you sleep in the first few weeks to allow your tissues and implant to heal in the desired position and to prevent the implant from shifting.

You will have bruising and swelling. Swelling will begin to disappear within the first 5 to 7 days. Many patients return to work with the help of camouflaging cosmetics around 5 days after surgery. The swelling resembles inflammation of wisdom teeth or their removal and sometimes this excuse is used at places of employment. Understand that some of the swelling may be present for months and the defined, chiseled look that you so desire may not become evident for quite a while.

Things that are not normal include: a temperature above 101 degrees, sudden swelling or sudden discoloration, bleeding, increasing redness and tenderness of the incision edges which could indicate infection, and shifting of the implant

7. When will the sutures be taken out and does this hurt?

The sutures, if any, will be removed in from 5 to 10, but sometimes earlier. The removal should not hurt too much although your surgeon may feel for the implant through your facial tissues and this may hurt a little. Most of the swelling should dissipate after the first 2 weeks.

8. Will there be scarring? If so where will the scars be located?

This depends on the incision choice by you and your surgeon. If the incisions are placed in your hairline, your hair should cover them. It is quite possible to have cheek implants inserted with no visible scars whatsoever. Ask your doctor if he is familiar with the oral incision locations and incisions inside the lower eyelid and what he or she thinks about them.

9. Is there a lot of swelling involved with a cheek implants?

Yes, especially if the implants are screwed into the cheekbones. Bone trauma may hurt a little more than just tissue trauma so take this into account when you decide on the technique. Still, it will probably not be enough pain to dissuade you from making a decision. No matter what, you will look like a chipmunk for a while and the chiseled definition you want will not be apparent for a few months. Please go into this surgery well informed because many reoperations or implant removals are in patients who were not able to handle the swelling. Be prepared for swelling.

10. How long should I expect to be out of work?

You can expect to resume regular activities in 1 to 2 weeks, and exercise after the third week. It really is individual but the swelling and bruising can be quite pronounced involving cheek augmentation surgery. I wouldn't make any plans to attend any weddings or other functions where you will be high profile for at least 4 weeks. Most patients return to work within a week. Camouflaging cosmetics can help hide the bruising.

11. When will I be able to see the results?

The results are immediate, but you may think that the implants are too big at first because of swelling. Give your mind time to recognize the difference in swelling and augmentation. Swelling takes several weeks to completely disappear. Most patients are very satisfied with the augmentation results as long as they are aware of what to expect beforehand.

12. What are the risks of cheek augmentation?

There is a chance of hematoma (blood clots), seroma, numbness from nerve damage and hyperpigmentation (permanent discolorations) caused by the bruising. There is also the risk of implant shifting which results in additional surgery to reposition the implant. You may end up with asymmetry from tissues healing differently. There is the chance you just don't like the results, which may result in a revision surgery or removal of the implants.

13. How long do cheek implants last?

Standard cheek implants are designed to last your lifetime. If the implants are the harder variety and screwed into place, your risk of shifting is very minor. Then again, everything is dependent upon the individual and as you should know there is no “never” or “definite” in medical science.