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CHEEK AUGMENTATION
- MALARPLASTY
In
Western cultures, prominent cheekbones are considered aesthetically
pleasing. This procedure is infrequently performed purely for
cosmetic purposes because it can have a very dramatic effect on
a patient’s appearance. However, it may be necessary to bring
the facial features into balance and harmony. Cheek augmentation
is specifically designed to create more prominent cheekbones (malar
bones), producing a more youthful appearance and/or achieving
facial harmony.
Some
important facts about cheek augmentation:
- This
procedure is often performed in conjunction with a rhinoplasty
(nose reshaping), facelift, liposuction of the chin and neck
area, and/or chin augmentation/reduction.
- A number
of synthetic materials are currently being used as cheek implants.
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Are
There Any Alternatives to Surgery?
How
Can I Prepare for Surgery?
How
is the Procedure Done?
What
Can I Expect Pre- and Postoperatively?
Tell
Me About Recovery
What
Kind of Risks / Complications Are There?
Still
You…Only Better!
ALTERNATIVES
TO SURGERY
There are no alternatives to cheek augmentation. A few make-up
techniques can give the appearance of more pronounced cheekbones,
but nothing will contour the cheek area other than surgery.
PREPARING
FOR SURGERY
Your physician should evaluate and assess the position of
your cheekbones to determine facial harmony and balance. Cheek
implants can produce a very dramatic change in your face, so it
would be advisable to discuss with your doctor the actual size
of the implant to be used. Your doctor may recommend cheek implants
or a chin implant in combination with a facelift to achieve the
desired results. Be absolutely clear and in agreement with your
doctor about your desired look.
You
will also be given pre-and postoperative instructions which will
include information on eating and drinking and what prescription
medications to take and those to avoid. Be sure you and your physician
agree on the surgical approach and understand the potential risks
and complications involved with the procedure.
THE
PROCEDURE
There are three methods available for the placement of incisions.
They can be placed inside the mouth, in the crease between the
upper lip and gum or through the lower eyelid.
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incision is used, pockets are created and the implants are placed
in position under the tissue on the cheekbones. At that time,
the implants may or may not be sutured or held in place with very
small surgical screws. The incision is then sutured. If the incision
is inside the mouth or inside the lower eyelid, absorbable sutures
are used. If the incision is on the outside of the lower lid,
the sutures may or may not be dissolvable. After surgery, a dressing
will be applied to minimize discomfort and swelling. The severity
and duration of such side effects may vary, especially if another
cosmetic procedure was performed at the same time.
Anesthesia
A malarplasty can be performed under local anesthesia with
intravenous sedation or under general anesthesia. The type of
anesthesia is dependent on the extent of the other procedure to
be performed, the doctor’s choice, and the patient’s medical history
or desires.
Length
of Procedure
This procedure should take approximately one and one-half
to two hours.
Level
of Pain/Discomfort
Generally, with cheek implants there is minimal to moderate
discomfort during the postoperative period. Some people experience
absolutely no discomfort at all.
PRE-
AND POSTOPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS
The following suggestions are intended to make you feel more
comfortable and help you heal:
- Stop
smoking, discontinue the use of alcohol, and stop taking vitamin
E and any medications containing aspirin or ibuprofen (two
weeks pre- and postoperative is usually recommended). Check
with your doctor
- Follow
directions regarding any ointments to be applied and/or cleansing
of incisions. If incisions are inside the mouth, rinse your
mouth as many times a day as directed.
- No aerobic
activity for at least three weeks after surgery.
- Keep
the head elevated at all times for at least the first week,
optimally two weeks.
- For the
first twenty-four hours, stay on a liquid diet, and avoid
food that is too hot.
- For about
a week, avoid excessive talking, laughing, and heavy chewing
(stay on a soft diet). Brush your teeth gently.
- Do not
rub your cheeks—be gentle for a minimum of a month.
- Expect
some numbness in the areas treated for eight to twelve weeks.
- Your
doctor may instruct you to apply cold compresses for twenty
minutes every hour for a minimum of forty-eight hours.
- Postpone
any dental work until six months after cheek implant surgery.
RECOVERY
You can plan on approximately one week to ten days for the
initial healing period. It is important that you keep your head
elevated at all times for at least a week, optimally two. You
should not lie face down or bend over for three weeks. Stitches
used to close the incisions inside your mouth usually dissolve
within about 10 days.
At
the beginning, you can expect your upper lip and cheek area to
feel full, tight, and tender. The cheek area may be swollen and
black and blue. Expect some numbness (as if your lip had been
injected with Novocain) and a tight feeling in the treated areas
for an average of eight to twelve weeks. The swelling should lessen
daily, with some minor swelling remaining after the first few
weeks. The bruising can last, on the average, anywhere from five
days to several weeks but should diminish daily. Remember—everyone
is different.
RISKS
/ COMPLICATIONS
Although problems are unlikely, you need to be aware of what
can happen and what action you should take. Most risks/complications
will be avoided if you make an informed decision, choose a qualified
physician, and follow your physician’s instructions.
Complications
that can occur include injury to the nerves (usually temporary),
rejection of the implant (very unusual), infection, and improper
positioning or shifting of the implant (unlikely). You should
be aware that your ability to move your mouth and lips might be
diminished temporarily.
STILL
YOU…ONLY BETTER
Cheek augmentation can be a subtle or dramatic change depending
upon the amount of cheek contour to begin. Cheek implants can
provide a refined look that will create more harmony with all
facial features.
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