Many people may desire more prominent and youthful looking cheek bones. If your cheek bones are hollow and there isn’t significant volume in the cheek area, you may look quite a bit older than you actually are. Thanks to a plastic surgery procedure known as cheek augmentation, or cheek implants, patients are able to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing face contour that will correct any hollowness in the cheek portion of the face. Whether you have lost volume in the cheek area or you never had it to begin with, cheek augmentation will help make a huge different in enhancing the appearance of your face, as well as boosting your confidence and self esteem.
Cheek Implants Before and After
Good Candidates for Cheek Implants
The ideal for candidate for cheek implants is someone who:
- Lost fullness in the face around the cheek area
- Someone who has always lacked volume in the face around the cheek area
- Someone who has used temporary solutions, such as soft tissue fillers
- Has realistic expectations
- Has thoroughly research the procedure and plastic surgeon
- Is 18 years or older
Preparing for Cheek Implant Surgery
Thoroughly prepare yourself for getting cheek implants by heavily researching both the procedure and your doctor. Once you have selected a doctor, bring in photos of what you want your results to look like. This will guide the surgeon so he can give you the best results possible. During your initial consultation, you will discuss many different options as far as what type of implants you want and the specifics about how the surgery will be performed, such as where the incisions will be made. Be sure you cover all the bases and know exactly what you are getting yourself into.
How are the Cheek Implants Inserted?
Although a cheek augmentation may be performed by itself, many people opt to have rhinoplasty, a face lift, eye lid surgery, or cheek implant as well. These procedures, especially a cheek implant, can further even out the face and enhance the appearance.
Your surgeon, based on what you have previous discussed, will prepare for the surgery by selecting the proper implants that are the best size/shape for your face, and that will provide you with the look you want. The surgeon will then put you under general anesthesia, and make incisions in one of two places, either where your cheek meets the back of your gums in which case the implants will be inserted through your mouth, or through the lower eyelid, if he is performing lower eyelid surgery at the same time. Once the incision is made, the cheek implants will be inserted, and in some cases, they will be screwed into the bone with small titanium screws. After the cheek implants are securely in place, the surgeon will suture up the incisions. The procedure usually takes an hour.
Cheek Implant Surgery Risks and Complications
As with any plastic surgery procedure, there is the risk of undesirable results and complications. The biggest worry with a cheek augmentation is that the implants may shift. To minimize this risk, you are advised to touch the area of the cheek implants as little as possible during the recovery phase, which will last four to eight weeks, depending on the person. Some people report a loss in sensitivity in the cheek area after surgery, although it almost always comes back. If the cheek implants were inserted through an incision of the eye lid, there is a risk that the lower eyelid may retract, which could result in dry eyes. Another rare risk is infection caused by the implants, in which case the doctor will have to remove them.
Cheek Implant Surgery Recovery
The recovery from a cheek augmentation is no bad at all, especially when compared to other plastic surgery procedures. You shouldn’t feel much pain at all, and you should feel fine the very same the surgery is performed. You will, however, have tenderness, swelling and bruising in the cheek area, as well as numbness. The skin will probably feel tight immediately after the surgery as your face gets used to its new volume. You should probably take at least a week off from work, just to make 100% sure you are feeling better upon returning. If the cheek implants were inserted through the mouth, then it is important to rinse your mouth out with water to remove any food debris that might get lodged in the incision area. If the incisions were made through the eye lids, you may have to use lubricants to reduce eye dryness. If the incisions were made through the mouth, then there will obviously not be any visible scarring. If they were inserted through the eyelids, slight scars will develop, however, they will be very small, fade quickly and will for the most part not be very noticeable.
Cheek Implant Cost
Cheek implants cost roughly $6,200. This is an all inclusive estimate that covers everything from surgeon’s fee to mediations. However, understand that this is just an estimate, and your cost may vary. The price of cheek implants can vary a lot depending on how experienced the doctor is, what city he is located in, and how difficult the procedure will be on your particular face. However, always keep in mind that cosmetic surgery prices are not the main priority here, finding a quality doctor who can give you excellent results is. Never sacrifice quality to save a few bucks.
