CHEEK AUGMENTATION OR IMPLANTS

Cheek augmentation or Cheek implant is a cosmetic surgical procedure that is intended to emphasize the cheeks on a person’s face.

Put a solid implant over the cheekbone. Injections with the patients’ own fat or a soft tissue filler, like Restylane, are also popular. Rarely, various cuts to the zygomatic bone (cheekbone) may be performed. Cheek augmentation is commonly combined with other procedures, such as a face lift or chin augmentation.

Materials

Cheek implants can be made of a variety of materials. The most common material is solid silicone. In addition, two popular options are high-density porous polyethylene, marketed as Medpor, and ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene), better known as Gore-Tex.

Candidates

Those who have hollow, sunken cheeks or sagging skin may wish to opt for cheek implant surgery. Effects can be dramatic and completely alter the patient’s facial features.

Procedure

Cheek implant surgery can take between 30 minutes – 2 hours depending on treatment. The surgeon will make an incision beneath the lower eyelash or inside the mouth. A ‘pocket’ is then created before the implant is inserted and shaped accordingly. The implant can be held in place by using metal screws or stitching it to the muscles themselves. Incisions are then closed and supportive bandages wrapped around the face. Cheek implant surgery can sometimes be performed alongside other facial cosmetic procedures during the same operation.

Recovery period

It is recommended that you up to two weeks off work after having cheek implant surgery. You will have swelling post-operation, which is completely normal and should begin to settle after a week, but may take up to three months to completely disappear. You will also need to continue to wear supportive bandages while sleeping following your cheek implant operation. In terms of food consumption, you may be put on a liquid diet.

Risks

As with any surgery there is a risk of infection, postoperative bleeding, formation of a blood clot, and severe swelling. Assymetry is a risk with all forms of cheek augmentation. This can occur due to uneven resorption, implant displacement, or shifting. This shift can happen due to swelling, trauma or scarring. Although a temporary loss of sensation is common, an extended loss of sensation can occur with any surgery, especially cosmetic plastic surgery.