Cheek Augmentation

Restore plumpness, volume, and definition to your cheeks and regain a youthful appearance.

Full, defined cheeks are a sign of youth and beauty, but over time the face loses fat, causing the cheeks to become flat and saggy, giving way to a sunken-in look. Also, although some are born with naturally high cheekbones, others are not. Fortunately, whether you're aging or are genetically lacking cheekbone structure, achieving the look of sculpted cheeks can be accomplished through both nonsurgical and surgical treatments that focus on restoring plumpness, volume and definition.

Along with fat grafting and temporary facial fillers, cheek implants are another option for restoring youthfulness and enhancing bone structure more permanently. Silicone implants, ideal for someone who wants to add a significant amount of volume as opposed to a slight increase, add fullness and create a lifting effect.

Cheek implants are a permanent solution to cheeks that have gone flat with age or are hollowed as well as for those lacking cheekbone structure at any age. As we age, changes in our bones coupled with gravity and other aging factors lead to sagging and wrinkled skin. When the skin becomes slack and the bones change in size, the skin and muscles cannot drape over the bone properly. Cheek implantation — also known as malar augmentation — can provide your face with contour, essentially changing its proportions to look more pleasing.

In addition to improving the face aesthetically, implants also slow down the effects of how bone ages. If you have strong cheekbones and a prominent jawline, you may age at a much slower rate than someone who has weaker bones. Implants can start making this positive impact as early as one's 20s or 30s.

Who is a good candidate?

Those who have flat, deflated-looking cheeks; cheeks that lack definition; hollows in the cheeks or temples; and/or under-eye bags or lines and wrinkles on the cheeks.

The Procedure

Cheek implant surgery can be performed as a single treatment, or in combination with other surgical procedures such as a facelift, eyelid surgery and rhinoplasty. Sometimes individuals seek out cheek augmentation in conjunction with a chin implant or jaw implant to fill out their facial profile.

Dr. Champagne will choose the right shape and size to best fit your anatomy and help you achieve your aesthetic goals. The implants are composed of solid silicone and come in standard sizes, or as one of the world's leading experts on customized facial implants, Dr. Champagne can create a completely individualized custom cheek implant to balance perfectly with the rest of your facial features.

During surgery, Dr. Champagne makes a small incision where your cheek meets your gums inside your mouth just to the side of your nose an creates a pocket to allow space for the implant. The implants are then placed through the mouth with no incisions needed on the external surface of the face. Dr. Champagne will secure the implant within the pocket, affixing it to the bone.

The final step is to close the incision with sutures.

In all, the surgery requires 45 minutes to one hour under anesthesia— if performed alone. More time may be required if additional procedures also are being performed.

What to expect

Bandages or dressings may be applied to keep the surgical site clean and to support the position of the implant(s) during initial healing once your procedure is complete.

While the initial outcome of plastic surgery with facial implants is present almost immediately, it will be obscured by visible swelling. It may take several months for swelling to fully dissipate.

The final results of your facial implants will be long-lasting; however, the initial healing phase may include localized swelling, discoloration/bruising, numbness or discomfort. In addition, facial movements may be temporarily restricted or impaired due to swelling. These are common conditions.

What is the recovery?

Cheek augmentation recovery time will depend on whether the implant procedure was performed alone, or in conjunction with other procedures.

Recovering from cheek implant surgery alone shouldn’t take too long at all. In fact, you should feel fine the day of the surgery, although Dr. Champagne will advise you to take it easy. You may have mild soreness in the cheek area and some swelling. The cheek area may feel tight due to the increased volume from the implant.

For any associated pain and discomfort, Dr. Champagne will prescribe pain medication. Even when needed, pain medications typically are only required for a few days. Dr. Champagne will also prescribe an antibiotic to prevent infection.

Plan ahead for the day of your surgery to ensure that you give yourself time to recover. Ask Dr. Champagne for specifics on how and when you may resume your usual activities. In general, returning to work and other normal, non-strenuous activity can commence within a week.

SCHEDULE A PERSONALIZED, CONFIDENTIAL CONSULTATION:

Please contact Dr. Champagne to schedule a personalized, confidential consultation with our facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Jason Champagne. During your consultation, Dr. Champagne will address your goals and answer any questions you may have regarding cheek augmentation or any other procedure we offer.