Cheek Augmentation is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure used to restore facial harmony when the cheeks are flat or too small for your face (hypomalar).
Cheek Augmentation, also known as Malar Augmentation is a great way to make small cheeks match the rest of your face. This procedure uses a Cheek Implant or Malar Implant for Cheek Enlargement, to improve facial proportions and enhance your self-confidence. Smaller cheeks may not support the lower eyelids, so Augmentation Malarplasty is often performed in conjunction with a lower Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Surgery), when there is concern with lower eyelid support. It also helps balance these facial features, shorten the height of the lower eyelid and create more pleasing facial proportions.
Cheek Augmentation Before and After Photos (Cheek or Malar Implants)
Schedule a Cheek Implant Consultation
The best way to decide if Cheek Enhancement is right for you is with a consultation appointment with our Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Joseph Mele MD FACS. Cheek Augmentation information is available below; however, a consultation is interactive. During your Malar Augmentation consultation, the options available to help with your specific needs are discussed in detail, and your questions are answered in an individualized manner. Computer Imaging is available to facilitate the discussion. This allows Dr. Mele to get a better idea of how much cheek augmentation is enough for you, and allows us to get an idea of what your cheeks will look like. An in-person consultation allows us to define the best possible approach for your particular needs.
Cheek Augmentation Video Presentation
Methods Of Cheek Augmentation
Dr. Mele is experienced with multiple surgical approaches to Cheek Augmentation including:
- Trans-Bleph Cheek Augmentation – the incision is placed beneath the lower eyelashes. The Trans-Bleph approach is often used when a lower Blepharoplasty is performed with your Malar Augmentation.
- Intra-oral Malar Augmentation – the incision is hidden inside the mouth, in the sulcus between the upper lip and gums.
- Trans-Facial Cheek Augmentation – the incision utilized is the facelift incision. This approach is used to insert the Malar Implants during a Facelift.
- Temporary Cheek Augmentation – if you are undecided and would like to “try out” Cheek Augmentation, dermal fillers like Radiesse, Perlane or Juvederm can be injected to temporarily increase the size of your cheeks. If you like the result, it can be maintained with periodic re-injections, or a Cheek Implant of similar volume can be placed. If you don’t like it, the filler will gradually absorb over time.
Our Board Certified Plastic Surgeon is also trained in the use of multiple types of Cheek Implants including:
- Silicone Cheek Implants – These are solid silicone implants. They are firm to touch, but can give a little when compressed. Silicone cheek implants are held in place by a thin capsule of scar. If the scar becomes tight, the implant can become distorted. When removal is desired, the silicone cheek implants slide out easily.
- Medpor Cheek Implants – these are solid porous polyethylene implants. They are hard to touch, as Medpor is used to replace bone for craniofacial reconstruction and augmentation. Like silicone cheek implants, Medpor Cheek Implants are held in place by a surrounding scar. Unlike silicone cheek implants, Medpor Cheek Implants have pores that allow the scar and blood vessels to grow into the implant. This provides additional stability, but also causes additional difficulty if removal is desired.
To schedule a consultation with our Dr. Mele, call (925) 943-6353 or fill out our contact form at the end of this page.
Facial Augmentation including Cheek Augmentation Videos
The Cheek Augmentation Procedure
You may be a good candidate for Cheek Augmentation (Malarplasty), if you have:
- Small cheeks that project less than the front of the eye
- Ill-defined cheek bones that can benefit from enlargement
- Submalar hollows
The goals of Cheek Augmentation surgery at our San Francisco East Bay Area facility are to maximize your results, return you to your normal activities and minimize your recovery, risks and scar. There are several incision sites that can be used for Cheek Augmentation. The exact location is selected before surgery, after the risks and benefits of each approach is discussed. During, your Cheek Augmentation, Dr. Mele makes an incision either just below eyelashes on the lower eyelid, inside the mouth. If you are having a facelift or lower blepharoplasty (eyelid lift), the incision for these procedures can be used. Next, a pocket is made to the exact dimensions of the desired Cheek Implants. This reduces the chance of the implant moving. The incision is meticulously closed to promote primary healing and the finest possible scar.
Cheek Enlargement can be combined with other facial plastic surgery procedures to achieve balanced facial rejuvenation. Cheek Augmentation is most often combined with lower Blepharoplasty (Lower Eyelid Surgery), Rhytidectomy (Face Lift), and other cosmetic facial plastic surgery procedures.
Dr. Mele is an experienced facial cosmetic surgeon. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the American Board of Surgery (ABS), as well as an active member of the premier plastic surgery professional organizations, including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
All cosmetic procedures are performed in an accredited surgical facility. Cheek Implants are most often placed under general anesthesia, but can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation for the properly selected patient. The method best for you, will be determined as part of your personal Cheek Augmentation consultation.
Cheek Implant Preparation | Before Malar Augmentation
Dr. Mele will review what you need to do before your Cheek Augmentation at your preoperative appointment. Individual instructions will vary, but in general, you should be in good health. Preexisting medical problems should be identified and well controlled prior to surgery. If you become ill prior to surgery, please call our office at (925) 943-6353 and let us know.
It is very important to avoid medications or supplements that increase the risk of bleeding during the weeks before surgery. Bleeding not only makes the procedure more difficult, it also increases post-operative bruising and discomfort. Bleeding also increases the risk of complications, so the less bleeding the better.
Regardless of the type of anesthesia selected, general or local with sedation, you should not eat or drink anything for eight hours prior to surgery, unless you are specifically instructed otherwise. Many prescription medications can be taken the morning of surgery with a few sips of water, but the timing of each medication should be reviewed before surgery.
The day of surgery, you want to arrive rested and about an hour before the scheduled operative time. Dr. Mele will see you before surgery and confirm the goals and approach for your procedure, so your Cheek Augmentation proceeds smoothly.
Cheek Augmentation Follow-Up | After Malar Augmentation
After your Cheek Augmentation you may be sore, and the cheeks will be swollen. Tylenol is often sufficient for pain control, though stronger medication is available if needed. Elevation of the head and cool compresses to the cheeks are recommended to control discomfort and reduce swelling. This helps speed your healing and will make you feel better faster. Most upright activities are permitted; however, vigorous activities that increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure are to be avoided. Bending down, straining and lifting heavy objects is also prohibited after Malar Augmentation until cleared by Dr. Mele. A soft diet may help if you are sore, but regular food is fine as soon as you feel ready.
Follow-up visits are scheduled at intervals designed to be certain that you are healing well. Activities will be liberalized as your healing progresses. Regular activities are usually possible a week or two after your procedure. Scar management will also be reviewed to speed your healing and minimize any scarring.
Book Your Cheek Augmentation Consultation
If you are unhappy with your retruded cheeks, consider a Cheek Augmentation consultation at our San Francisco Bay Area office. This simple outpatient procedure can produce dramatic results. Cheek Augmentation can be performed by itself, or in conjunction with other aesthetic facial procedures.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mele, please call (925) 943-6353 or fill out our contact form.