Facial appearance is determined by three fundamental components: the skin, the soft tissues, and the underlying skeletal structure.
Many cosmetic surgery procedures focus on the first two. A facelift, for example, lifts and tightens the skin and soft tissues to restore a more vibrant and youthful facial aesthetic. These procedures have good results, but there are limitations to what can be achieved by changing the skin and soft tissue alone.
For bringing about dramatic facial changes, few techniques can match the power of bone contouring. Reshaping the hard skeleton is one of the most impactful branches of plastic surgery, and it encompasses a number of areas and techniques.
One of the most popular bone contouring options here at Asian Plastic Surgery is cheekbone augmentation. Below, we answer some of your most frequently asked questions about this procedure.
What Is Cheekbone Augmentation?
Cheekbone augmentation creates new facial proportions by making the cheekbones higher, fuller and more defined. Although there are several treatment options that can achieve this goal, cheek implants and bone grafts offer the longest-lasting solutions.
Cheek implants are available in a variety of synthetic materials, as well as different shapes and sizes. Some are fairly rigid, while others are more flexible. Cheek implants can be customised to suit a specific facial structure and the patient’s particular needs.
Using bone to enhance the cheeks is an alternative to the implant approach. The bone graft may be taken from somewhere else on the patient’s body (an autograft) or from a cadaver (an allograft). A product called a demineralised bone matrix is a substitute for using real bone.
Why Is Cheekbone Anatomy Important for Asian Patients?
The cheekbone, or the zygomatic bone, helps define the structure, contour and width of the face. In Asian anatomy, the zygomatic bone often extends outward toward the sides of the face but may have less forward projection. Planning cheekbone augmentation for Asian patients involves evaluating how the cheekbones relate to surrounding features such as the nose, jawline and forehead. Proportions and ethnic considerations are important when planning bone contouring procedures.
Why Is Cheekbone Augmentation Popular With Asians?
Defined cheekbones are seen as desirable in many cultures, but what makes cheekbone augmentation especially popular amongst Asian patients?
Asians often lack volume in the mid-face, which gives the face a flattened appearance. This is due to a lack of bone structure in the area. While there is nothing inherently good or bad about this look, some individuals prefer a different aesthetic. Cheekbone augmentation increases the projection of the cheekbones, reversing the flat facial shape while maintaining the aesthetic harmony of the Asian face.
What Else Can Cheekbone Augmentation Accomplish?
In addition to addressing natural deficiencies in cheekbone structure, cheekbone augmentation can address age-related volume loss that occurs over time.
As we get older, subcutaneous fat begins to disappear and droop, and we progressively lose bone mass. These changes can create a flat or hollow appearance in the mid-face. Without the support of the fat and bone, our skin starts to descend and take on a deflated appearance. This contributes to deepening smile lines and jowls. Cheekbone augmentation is a way to address these issues.
Am I a Good Candidate for Cheek Augmentation?
Cheekbone surgery is not right for everyone. Augmentation may not be suitable for those who already have a prominent bone structure and are looking to soften their features. It is also important to assess your general health and stage in life to determine if this surgery is a good choice in your situation. You may be a good candidate if you have:
- Flat or Under-Projected Cheekbones: If you have limited anterior cheek projection, augmentation may improve mid-face definition and contour.
- Good Overall Health: You need to be in stable physical condition without medical issues that could interfere with healing or increase the risk of complications.
- Stable Weight: Fluctuating weight can affect facial volume and impact the results of cheekbone surgery.
- Realistic Expectations: A clear understanding of the procedure, including its limitations and risks, is important for surgical planning and decision-making.
- No Active Skin Infections or Untreated Dental Issues: These conditions should be addressed before surgery since they may affect healing or increase the risk of postoperative complications.
- Fully Developed Facial Bones: Cheekbone surgery is suitable only for adults whose facial skeletal growth is complete.
What Types of Cheek Implants Are Available?
Cheek implants come in several varieties:
- Malar — these implants are placed directly on top of the cheekbones, creating a higher projection
- Submalar — these implants are placed below the cheekbones, adding fullness to gaunt or sunken cheeks
- Combination — this approach combines the malar and submalar positioning, augmenting both the cheekbones and the cheeks
- Paranasal — these implants are placed beside the nose to supplement the mid-face bone structure, addressing the flat or retruded mid-face often seen in Asian patients
How Are Cheek Implants Placed?
During the cheek augmentation procedure, a small incision is made inside the mouth or around the lower eyelid. The incision inside the mouth is usually favoured due to the lack of visible scarring.
Once the incision is made, a pocket is created to house the implant. The implant is then inserted and anchored to the bone. The incision is closed with sutures.
Cheek implant augmentation usually takes one to two hours and results in immediate cheek volume and contour changes.
What Happens in a Bone Grafting Procedure?
When an autograft taken from the patient’s own body is used, the procedure has two steps. First, bone is harvested from the donor location, such as the hip or jaw. Then, the graft is repositioned in the cheek area and fused to the existing bone.
When using an allograft from a cadaver, there is only one surgical site. The graft is inserted into the cheek area, where it serves as a scaffold over which the patient’s own bone can grow. This approach may be preferable for those who do not want scarring in a second area.
For augmentation with a bone graft substitute, the demineralised bone matrix product is injected into the cheek area through a syringe.
Is Cheek Augmentation Painful?
During your surgery, you will not be in any pain because of your anaesthesia. However, mild to moderate discomfort is expected after your surgery around the cheeks and jaw. We will help you manage pain and discomfort through medications, compresses and other care strategies.
What Is the Recovery Like After Cheek Augmentation Surgery?
Recovery experiences from Asian cheek augmentation surgery vary widely depending on the type of surgery we perform. You will likely come home on the day of your surgery unless otherwise advised.
Expect swelling after your surgery that peaks within the first 48-72 hours and then gradually improves. Bruising is also common around the cheeks and lower eyelids with soreness, tightness and numbness.
The initial healing from cheek augmentation may be 10 to 14 days, but residual swelling can persist for weeks or even months after the surgery. You can return to nonstrenuous work after your surgeon clears you, usually after the first seven to ten days, but demanding physical tasks should be delayed for at least four to six weeks.
Remember that certain surgeries require more healing time than others. We will spend time with you during your consultation going over what to expect from your procedure.
To support your recovery, follow these guidelines and any other instructions given to you by your surgeon:
- Keep your head elevated, including during sleep: This helps reduce swelling more effectively in the first week.
- Apply cold compresses as instructed: Cool compresses in the first 48 hours may help manage discomfort and control inflammation, but never place ice directly on the skin.
- Avoid chewing hard foods: Choose a soft diet for the first several days to reduce strain on the facial structure while tissues stabilise.
- Follow wound care instructions closely: Keep incision sites clean and avoid pressure on the cheeks to prevent infection and implant displacement.
- Limit physical activity: Strenuous movement can increase swelling and affect implant positioning. Light walking is preferred and recommended to prevent clots and help your body heal.
- Attend all follow-up appointments: These allow us to monitor your healing, especially in more complex cases involving graft materials or combined implants.
What Are the Risks and Potential Complications of Cheek Augmentation?
Like any surgical procedure, cheek augmentation carries risks and potential complications that need to be considered carefully before you make your final decision. Specific risks depend on the type of surgery, so be sure to check with your surgeon for a complete list.
Common side effects of cheek augmentation include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Soreness or tenderness
- Temporary numbness
More dangerous but less common complications include infection, which may require antibiotics or implant removal, and implant displacement, which can happen if the implant shifts from its original position. This may require revision surgery. Prolonged changes in skin sensation can develop if facial nerves are affected during the placement of implants. Asymmetry can occur because of uneven implant positioning or swelling, and bone grafts or substitutes carry the risk of resorption or delayed integration.
Will I Have Visible Scars After Cheekbone Augmentation?
Incisions for cheekbone augmentation are often made inside the mouth, which will not leave visible external scars. If external incisions are necessary, either for access to the cheekbone or for bone grafting purposes, you will have an external scar. We take measures to make scarring as hidden as possible. We will explain what to expect from incisions and scars during your consultation.
Is Cheek Augmentation Permanent?
Cheek implants and bone grafts provide long-lasting results from a single operation. The procedure is considered permanent.
Synthetic implants provide permanent contour improvements to the cheeks and will remain unchanged over time. If you are not satisfied with the final outcome or your aesthetic tastes change, your implants can be adjusted or removed entirely.
Can Implants Be Removed?
Cheek implants can be surgically removed if necessary. Some patients choose removal because of implant shifting, complications or changes in aesthetic preference. Some removal surgeries can be performed using the original incision area, while others will require additional procedures to restore contours or address tissue changes.
Are There Other Options for Cheek Augmentation?
Soft tissue enhancement is an option for patients who desire cheek augmentation but are not interested in bone contouring surgery. This can be achieved by:
Cheek Augmentation With Fat Transfer
Fat transfer or fat grafting involves removing excess fat from one area of the body with liposuction and moving it to another location — in this case, the cheek area. Fat grafting is considered a permanent form of volumising, but the degree of resorption and retention of the fat can be variable. The final outcome is therefore less predictable than with an implant or bone graft.
How Much Does Cheekbone Augmentation Cost in Sydney?
The cost of cheek augmentation surgery in Sydney is different from patient to patient. It depends on the type of implant we use and whether we include any additional procedures, such as bone grafting from a different area of your body. You will also need to factor in additional costs such as your consultation fee, recovery materials, follow-up appointments, and anesthesia fees. Cheekbone implants made of different materials may also influence cost.
On average, cheekbone augmentation and reduction in Sydney can cost anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000, but some surgeries may fall outside of this range.
Cheekbone augmentation is considered an elective cosmetic procedure, so it will not be covered by Medicare or private insurance in most cases.
An in-person consultation is required to assess your anatomy and determine the most appropriate surgical plan. Then we can give you a detailed and accurate cost estimate for your cheek augmentation.
Learn More About Cheekbone Augmentation in Sydney
Bone contouring is a demanding area of plastic surgery. Successful cheek augmentation requires a surgeon who deeply understands facial anatomy, has an artistic eye, possesses extreme attention to detail and holds great surgical skill. That is why so many patients have entrusted their faces to the specialist plastic surgeons at Asian Plastic Surgery.
We invite you to learn more about our qualifications and this procedure by coming in for a consultation. You may request an appointment by filling out our enquiry form or calling 02 8962 9388.
