Facial Procedure: Cheek Augmentation

Cheek augmentation is a plastic surgery procedure designed to add fullness or volume to the cheek area. Some prospective patients may feel self-conscious about flat or thin cheeks, while others are bothered by cheeks that have lost volume or have started to sag due to aging. Cheeks can be enhanced in two different ways — through fat grafting, where a patient's own fat is transferred to the cheek, or using solid cheek implants.

Who is a good candidate for cheek augmentation surgery?

Making the choice to undergo cheek augmentation surgery is a personal one. The procedure can lead to an improved quality of life for those patients who are self-conscious about the appearance of their cheeks.

To be a good candidate for surgery, a patient should be a nonsmoker in overall good health, with cheeks that are flat or saggy. Prospective candidates should have realistic expectations about the surgery.

What happens during a cheek augmentation procedure?

Cheek augmentation surgery is performed under local, intravenous or general anesthesia for the patient's comfort. Dr. Collis will suggest the best anesthesia for the procedure. The procedure usually lasts between 45 minutes and one hour.

Two different types of incisions are required depending upon the type of cheek augmentation surgery being performed. During a fat grafting procedure, two different sets of incisions are made. One is made in the fat being harvested, the other near the cheek. These incisions are several millimeters long. When solid cheek implants are inserted, Dr. Collis will decide whether to make the incision in the mouth or under the eyelid. In both cases, the incisions will be closed with small sutures or surgical tape.

What can I expect when recovering from cheek augmentation surgery?

Recovery from cheek augmentation can vary, depending on whether the procedure is performed on its own or in conjunction with other procedures. Most patients will feel fine shortly afterwards. Some patients may experience some mild soreness or tightness of the cheek, which can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain medication. Additionally, an antibiotic may be prescribed to prevent infection. Head elevation may be suggested to keep swelling down. After surgery, it is important for patients to avoid contact sports and make sure cheeks are not exposed to excessive force or motion.

It may take some time to see the full results of cheek augmentation surgery, as swelling may make the initial results unclear. If cheeks were implanted via fat grafting, results will vary depending on the amount of fat injected and the amount of fat the body retained. If the procedure included cheek implant, results will be more predictable. The results of a solid cheek implant are permanent, while the results of a fat graft procedure will last several years.