What is a Cheek Augmentation?
The goal of a cheek augmentation is to add volume or lift to the cheeks. Valid 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. A nonsurgical option is the use of injectable fillers to enhance the cheeks, which is covered on the Dermal Fillers page listed under our Non-Surgical Services. Inserting cheek implants over the cheekbone is a timeless procedure with a proven record of safely and effectively adding body and contour to a face that has lost its definition over time. Cheek implants are made of silicone and come in many different shapes and sizes.
How is the surgery performed?
A cheek augmentation requires different incisions based on the technique used. If fat transfer is used to enhance your cheeks, you will likely have a small incision near the area of fat that is harvested and small incisions near your cheeks. These incisions usually measure just several millimeters in length. If solid cheek implants are used, then the incision is based on your surgeon’s preferred approach. Your surgeon may insert cheek implants through an incision inside the mouth, or he may perform the operation through an incision under your eyelid. Once the implants have been inserted and adjusted properly, your doctor will close the incisions using non-absorbable sutures.
What can I expect after surgery?
Following your cheek augmentation surgery, gauze dressings or bandages may be applied to your incisions. An elastic bandage or compression garment may minimize swelling and support the cheeks as they heal following surgery. Alternatively, you may not have any dressings or bandages. If you have cheek implants placed through an incision inside your mouth, you may be placed on a liquid diet and/or given special mouth rinses. You should be ready to return to work and resume normal activity in 10-14 days, and it is important that the surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, swelling, abrasion or motion during the time of healing.
