Front Cheekbone Surgery

Overview

When they see a beautiful face, everyone knows it. Few of us, however, understand what makes someone attractive! High cheekbones are a very essential visual component of this subconscious impression. Beautiful, high, and pronounced cheekbones give a lovely look to a face with a hint of sex appeal.

The region under the eye and adjacent to the nose is referred to as the front cheekbone. If this area is flat, it provides a dull appearance, giving the impression that it is old.

Depending on the patient's present condition and needs, front cheekbone surgery can be performed with either cheek augmentation or cheekbone reduction. In front cheek augmentation, prosthetics are utilized to add volume to the front cheekbones, giving the face a more three-dimensional, youthful appearance.

Cheek Augmentation is a procedure in which an implant is inserted to create a 3D volume in the flat face. Many patients consider cheekbone reduction because they are concerned about their broad face, however depending on the situation, cheekbone augmentation may be required for a 3D outcome in the flat face.

A zygoma reduction is a cosmetic surgical technique that shrinks the zygoma or cheekbones. It is a more advanced version of classic jaw and chin operations that often involves fracturing, trimming, and turning the cheekbone to remove or repair bone protrusions that give the appearance of being strong or harsh.

As a result, expert diagnosis is essential for each patient in order to provide the best procedure before performing the operation. 

What is the Goal of Front Cheekbone Surgery?

Those considering front cheekbone surgery will seek to obtain a better proportioned face and lessen the look of overly prominent or flat cheekbones.

While the two operations appear unrelated and may be performed separately, they are routinely performed jointly as well. Those who have cheekbone surgery should be able to attain a well-balanced and natural facial expression.

Types of Front Cheekbone Surgery

1. Zygomatic Bone Reduction:

A zygoma reduction plasty, also known as cheekbone reduction surgery, is a cosmetic surgery treatment that is used to reduce the size and appearance of the zygomatic bones. The zygomatic bones support the zygomatic arch, shape the cheeks, and contribute to the midface contours. It should be noted that a zygoma reduction plasty does not treat cheek issues caused by excessively large buccal fat pads (cheek soft tissue fat pads), which would be best addressed with a Buccal Fat Pad Removal cosmetic surgery.

Zygoma reduction plasty can be performed in two ways. A bone shaving procedure is effective for minimizing cheekbone forward projection but not for lowering face width. A more invasive cheekbone osteotomy is an option for patients with more severe cheek problems.

Zygoma reduction plasty plastic operations are great for midface contouring, facial width reduction, and cheek drooping correction. Asians commonly undergo zygoma reduction plasty or reduction malarplasty to lessen face width.

2. Front Cheek Augmentation:

Cheek implants, often known as cheek augmentation, are used to improve the cheekbones or make the cheeks fuller. Cheek augmentation, like other forms of cosmetic surgery operations, may make your face look more young or balance your facial characteristics, making you feel more attractive.

Cheekbone implants have been in use since 1956 and have a track record of safety.  Many doctors can perform the operation individually or in conjunction with other facial plastic surgery treatments such as rhinoplasty (nose job), facelift, brow lift, or eye lift.

There are three general shapes to cheek implants:

• Malar implants are inserted directly on the cheekbones and provide more projection.
• Sub-malar implants add fullness to the cheekbones, smoothing out a gaunt or sunken look.
• A combination implant enhances both the cheekbones and the cheeks.

Some implants, such as silicone implants, can be removed afterwards. Others fuse with natural bone tissue and become incorporated into the cheek structure.

Who's a Good Candidate?

• Candidates for Zygoma Reduction:

If you have a positive attitude, reasonable expectations, and clear goals in mind for improving your face appearance and how you seem, it's time to consider cheekbone reduction. You must be physically fit and free of any significant medical issues. Patients with these characteristics may require zygoma reduction.

Patients who can benefit from zygoma reduction include:

1. Have excessively prominent front cheekbones.
2. Have wide cheekbones that make their face appear excessively wide.
3. Have a facial contour that is disproportionate or imbalanced.
4. Have a sunken region behind the cheekbones, giving the face a hollow aspect.

The surgery can eliminate or repair bone protrusions, making the face line seem sleeker, thinner, and softer.

By reducing the size of the face in general, the procedure can also make a person’s facial features look more well-defined. For most patients, the results of the procedure make them look more attractive.

• Candidates for Cheekbone Augmentation:

Cheek augmentation is a highly personal surgery. For individuals who are self-conscious about their cheeks, it might be a life-changing operation. This treatment should be done for yourself, not for anybody else or to adhere to any ideal image.

In general, you may be a suitable candidate for cheek augmentation if: 

• • You are physically healthy and at a steady weight.
  • You have reasonable expectations.
  • You do not smoke.
  • You're worried by the shape of your cheeks.
  • You have overly flat, thin, or sagging cheeks.

Alternatives to Cheek Augmentation

A cheek Filler is an ideal rejuvenating treatment for those with: 

• ‘Flat’ cheekbones 
• ‘Flattening’ or ‘Hollows’ across the front of the cheeks from volume loss caused by weight loss or ageing. 
• A simple desire for higher cheekbones as a beauty enhancement. 

Not only does our face skin begin to sag as we age, but the underlying soft tissues and bone also shrink and contribute to the signs of aging. There is a reduction of cheekbone prominence and a flattening of the facial features in the mid-face. This is especially noticeable in the mid-face, where the young fat pad on the front of the cheeks diminishes and migrates downward, causing a 'flattening' and eventually 'hollowing' on each side of the nose.

This procedure can easily fill any 'flattening' or 'hollows' across the mid-face by adding volume to the cheeks and cheekbones with a long-lasting cheek filler and therefore restore a more youthful appearance.

If desired, the cheekbones can be enhanced with the same cheek filler at the same time. Many plastic surgery facilities approach this correction in an artistic manner, taking care to achieve a very natural 'look' that does not offer an over-filled 'chipmunk' appearance. In other words, the goal is to provide a more natural and fresh 'look' by merely recovering what has been lost and sometimes adding a little extra to beautify, but never anything excessive and unnatural-looking.

Rest assured that we only use approved cheek fillers that contain the same component found in human skin, thus the chance of an adverse response is so low that no allergy testing is necessary prior to treatment.

Cheek filler has an average lifespan of 2-3 years, however in certain individuals, it has lasted up to 4 years or more.

The treatment only takes around 20-30 minutes and is done very easily and painlessly through a single, tiny entrance hole in the skin that has been numbed with a modest quantity of local anaesthetic. A fine blunt-tipped cannula is introduced via this tiny entry hole to distribute the cheek filler.

Other than in extraordinary cases, sharp needle is not used to inject cheek filler. Sharp needles necessitate several injection sites and might result in bruising and lumpiness. Instead, unique blunt-tipped cannula can be used to inject the cheek filler through a single tiny entry site, resulting in beautifully smooth and bruise-free results.

Preoperative Evaluation & Preparation

• Patients will discuss their expectations and desired goals in order to set reasonable expectations.
• Blood tests or a medical examination for anesthetic and surgery fitness, as well as a review of overall health.
• Medical issues, medication allergies, and previous medical or surgical treatment are all evaluated (the patient's past medical history, drug history, and allergy history).
• Avoid specific drugs or change your existing prescriptions (if you take any particular medications, discuss them with your surgeon at your initial appointment).
• Patients must avoid taking aspirin, some anti-inflammatory medicines, or herbal supplements that may raise the risk of excessive bleeding (do not take any drug without first consulting with your surgeon).
• Patients should quit smoking or drinking alcohol well in advance (2-3 weeks before the surgery).
• Examination of the soft tissues of the face.
• Radiological evaluation (CT scan of the face).
• Preoperative evaluation for general anesthesia.
• Photography for pre- and post-operative assessments.

What Happens During Front Cheekbone Surgery?

• Cheek Augmentation:

Step 1 – Anesthesia

During the surgical procedure, you will be given medications to help you relax. Local anaesthetic, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia are all options. Your doctor will advise you on the best option for you.

Step 2 – The incision

Depending on the technique used, different incisions are required for cheek augmentation. If fat transfer is performed to augment your cheeks, you will most likely have a minor incision around the area of fat extracted as well as little incisions near your cheeks. 

These incisions are often only a few millimeters long. If solid cheek implants are utilized, the incision is determined by your surgeon's preference. Some cosmetic surgeons place cheek implants through an incision within the mouth, while others perform the procedure through an incision under your eyelid.

Step 3 – Closing the incisions

Sutures, skin adhesives or tapes close the skin incisions.

Step 4 – See the results

Your cheek augmentation will give you fuller, softer-looking cheeks. Some patients notice that their cheeks seem elevated. The effects of solid cheek implants are permanent, whereas fat transfer outcomes might persist for several years.

• Zygoma Reduction:

A zygoma reduction takes around three hours and is performed under general anesthesia.

Patients must fast for at least 8 hours before to the operation. An x-ray examination is performed as part of the pre-surgery preparation to correctly evaluate the shape of the maxilla and mandibular bones, as well as the positions of the nerves in the area.

The cheekbone is then accessed by two incisions, one within the mouth and one inside the temporal region. The frontal and posterior sections of the bone are then shattered to weaken the bone and allow it to be pulled inwards from the front and side, reducing its outward projection. If required, the surgeon may additionally remove a part of the zygoma bone's body in order to form it into an L. The remaining zygoma bone is then rotated in three dimensions.

The zygoma arch or the bow-shaped lateral portion of the cheekbone can also be corrected. A prominent zygoma arch can make the face appear broader than it is. The scalp approach, in which the incision is made above or in front of the ear, might be used to decrease the arch. This allows the surgeon access to the arch and body of the cheekbone, making rotation of the bone inwards easier.

When both the zygoma body and the arch need to be adjusted, the surgery will use both procedures.

Once in the proper position, the zygoma bone is screwed down to prevent bone mobility. Drains are used to prevent fluid build-up in the surgical region and are removed the following day. Sutures are used to seal the incisions. 

Before & After

Front cheekbone surgery is a cosmetic surgical technique that provide a more attractive shape to the general structure of the face. It can be used to fill up small holes in the cheeks or to restore missing tissue or fat. For most patients, cheekbone surgery may be the cherry on the cake when it comes to establishing harmonious facial characteristics and can actually tip the scales in your face's look. Front cheekbone surgery is a delicate process that should only be carried out by a skilled practitioner and the result will be then as shown below:

How is Recovery Like?

The recovery time for a cheekbone surgery is really short. Most patients may resume their normal activities after approximately a week, assuming they did not have any additional operations done at the same time. Of course, each situation is different, and you should consult with your facial plastic surgeon about potential adverse effects. Your doctor may advise you to avoid strenuous activities such as exercise and heavy lifting during the first and second weeks.

Patients may experience mild irritation, redness, and slight bruising around the incision sites as they recover. If the adverse effects continue after one to two weeks, you should notify your doctor.

You’ll also be required to schedule a few follow-up appointments so that your doctor can guarantee that the incisions are healing properly and that the implants are still in place.

What You Should Do After the Procedure?

Following surgery, it will take around six weeks for the cheekbone to heal entirely. During this recovery phase, patients should avoid applying pressure or injuring the side of their face. Avoid blowing your nose until the cheekbone has completely healed. The following suggestions may assist you in recovering faster:

Strictly follow the postoperative tips:

• For 3-4 weeks, keep your head up, especially when sleeping (sleeping position).
• Follow your surgeon's instructions and take the recommended drugs.
• For 3-5 days, wrap a compressive dressing over your cheek (be careful about bandages).
• Wound treatment for all types of external wounds
• If you have any oral wounds, you should cleanse your mouth or gargle after every meal.
• For 2-3 weeks, follow a soft diet (avoid eating harsh foods).
• Avoid strenuous physical activities for 3-4 weeks (totally physical activities are forbidden for some days).

Potential Problems/Risks

1. Pain. Expect moderate discomfort; take frequent pain relievers for 3-5 days. Aspirin/ibuprofen should be avoided.
2. Bruising. Occasional, lasting up to two weeks.
3. Wound infection. Mild infection on occasion. If antibiotics are required, they will be administered. In rare cases, severe infection necessitates implant removal. 1% is the risk.
4. Haematoma. In rare cases, a haematoma (blood collection) may necessitate drainage.
5. Sensation. There may be some loss of sensation inside the mouth. It might take up to 6 weeks to get back to normal.
6. Displacement. Implant displacement is quite unusual. For the first 6 weeks, avoid putting pressure on your cheeks and sleeping on your front or side.

Front Cheekbone Surgery Cost

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2020 figures, the average cost of cheek implants is $3,669 USD. This average cost is only a portion of the entire cost; anesthesia, operating room facilities, and other related fees are not included. To determine your total charge, please contact your cosmetic surgeon's office.

The fee for cheek augmentation will be determined by the surgeon's experience, the type of procedure done, and the geographic location of the practice.

In most situations, zygoma reduction plasty (cheekbone reduction surgery) will cost between $2,000 and $5,000.

Conclusion

Too-round cheeks might create the appearance that you are heavier than you are. Cheekbone surgery can make your face appear smaller and more proportionate.

The purpose of front cheekbone surgery is to create face harmony. A cheekbone surgery is the refinement/improvement of the cheek bone shape. This is commonly performed by placing a fitting "implant" directly on the cheekbone, much below the skin, or by re-contouring the cheekbone by zygomatic reduction.

The cheek correction operation, like any other surgical procedure, is associated with surgical risks such as: infection, bleeding, bruising or allergic reaction to anesthetics.