People with a narrow or flat face can sometimes improve their looks by having cheek bone implants (augmentation), while people with a round or chubby face can reduce the effect by having a cheek reduction.
In Thailand and the rest of Asia cheek reduction is more common, while westerners often opt for cheek bone implants.
Procedures
Cheek implants (augmentation)
Cheek implants come in different types, shapes and sizes. Silicone implants do not integrate with your natural tissue and can be removed later. Others, like hydroxyapatite implants integrate with your bone tissue and are permanent.
Often a cheek bone implant is done together with other facial surgery, in that case the implants can be inserted through the incisions already made for the other procedure. If only a cheek implant is required, small slits are made to place the implants. Most often inside the mouth or the lower eyelids. Small spaces are created between the cheek tissue and the cheek bone and the implants are placed.
Incisions are closed with stitches for around 10 days. If the incisions were made in the mouth, these will automatically dissolve.
Cheek reduction (Buccal fat removal)
Persons who feel that their cheeks are too round and lead to a chubby face, can benefit from having some fat removed from their cheeks. This fat is known as buccal fat. The procedure to remove this fat does not require you to stay overnight in the hospital.
You will get a local anesthesia before the surgeon will make the incisions. These incisions will be made inside the mouth, between the cheeks and gums of the upper jaw. The surgeon will put pressure on the outside of the cheek, exposing the buccal fat through the slits. Now the surgeon can remove the desired amount of fat, before closing the incision with sutures.
Recovery after the procedure
After the procedure it is normal to feel pain while chewing, experience swelling and overall soreness around the cheek area. This will last from a few days up to a week. You can walk around and do some light activities, the day after the operation.
You can expect to return to work after a week. Swelling will continue to subside over the next few months. In case of a cheek reduction, it will take up to four months before the results are visible.
Risks
Like all surgeries risks are involved with cheek surgery, but it is generally considered a safe procedure. The most common complications with cheek surgery are related to anesthetics. Anesthetics can react to tobacco, anti-depressants and other chemicals, so you should tell your doctor if you use any of these substances.
Who are candidates for cheek surgery?
In general persons who are passed puberty can have cheek implants. If you feel like your face is too flat, or small you can benefit from cheek implants. Likewise people who have a weak cheek definition, either genetically or from age, can benefit greatly from cheek implants.
People with puffy cheeks or a round face, either genetically or from being overweight can choose to have cheek reduction surgery. People who choose to have cheek reduction surgery, should be at least 20 years of age. Preferably older, since the cheeks will naturally decrease in size when getting older. Cheek reduction surgery can not be undone and if too much buccal fat is removed it can make your face too thin when getting older.
