Cheek Implants Rancho Mirage

What are cheek implants?

A cheek implant is a cosmetic surgical procedure that augments the cheeks on a person’s face by adding volume or lifting the cheeks. Also known as malar augmentation, a cheek implant is often placed over the cheekbone to produce a fuller and more sculpted cheek appearance. There is a non-surgical option: an injection like Restylane that uses your own fat tissue.

What types of cheek implants are used?

There are three types of cheek implants: an implant surgery, fat transfer or the use of dermal fillers. Each option increases volume and contours to the cheeks and give definition to a person’s face.

Cheek augmentation with implants is a surgical procedure that provides permanent results. The most common materials used are Gore-Tex implants, Medpor implants and solid silicone implants. A fat transfer removes undesirable fat cells from a particular area like the stomach or buttock area and grafts it into the cheek area to add volume. The result is a healthier appearance. The third possible treatment involves injectable fillers like Radiesse and Restylane, hyaluronic acid that brings temporary fullness in the face and offers a shorter recovery period. However, it does not last as long as the other two techniques.

About the Cheek Implant Procedure

Depending on which type of treatment you choose, the procedure for a cheek implant can take less than an hour and up to a few hours. Dermal fillers are the easiest and fastest procedure that involves your surgeon injecting small deposits of filler in the cheek area, often between the lower eyelids, nasolabial fold and the cheek.

A fat transfer differs from dermal fillers with its use of natural fat from one area of your body like your stomach or the thighs. Instead of injecting an artificial substance, fat transfer involves a liposuction procedure to transfers fat from one area of your body to the cheek area to add volume and fullness to your cheeks. The fat cells are cleaned and purified before being injected back into your body.

For cheek implants, you and your surgeon will decide on the type of implants to be used for the procedure, whether Gore-Tex, Medpor or solid silicone, which is the most popular choice. An intravenous sedation or a local or general anesthesia can be applied before your treatment. An incision only several millimeters in length is made near your cheeks, inside your mouth or under your eyelid. The implant is inserted through the incisions to augment the cheeks and usually placed in the outer upper cheek and the lower/mid-cheek areas. Sutures or skin adhesives are used to close the incisions.

What to expect?

You should expect to see an improvement in the appearance of your face with more prominent cheekbones. There are great benefits with Rancho Mirage cheek implants such as:

• Define flat cheeks
• Enhance facial structure for a more appealing appearance
• Gives you balance and projection of the chin to the nose
• Improve a weak profile
• More attractive profile
• Sculpted facial structure

Cheek Implant FAQs

How to prepare for surgery

Here are some tips in preparing for your Rancho Mirage cheek implant:

• Avoid all aspirin and anti-inflammatory medications at least two weeks prior to your procedure
• Avoid caffeinated products the night before surgery
• Do not eat or drink anything six hours before surgery
• No alcohol for a minimum of two days before your procedure
• Stay away from any medications that can cause blood-thinning and fish oil supplements for two weeks before surgery
• Stop smoking at least four weeks before surgery
• You may be prescribed daily supplements of Arnica and Vitamin C for a couple of weeks before and after your procedure

Recovering from surgery

You may experience some pain, swelling and light bruising following your procedure. You can alleviate soreness with pain medications and cold packs. Bandages or gauze dressings may be applied to your incisions to minimize the swelling and help your cheeks to heal. If you receive an incision inside your mouth, you will probably need to go on a liquid diet temporarily and use a special mouth rinse.

Stitches in your mouth dissolve within 10 days. You may have limited movement when you smile or talk to someone for a few days. It can take several weeks for the swelling to decrease. Most people return to work within 10 days and to their normal activities in about two weeks. After one to two months, you should start to notice the results, including a more balanced and defined facial structure.

Consultation

During your cheek implants consultation, you will have a chance to discuss your goals for your cheeks, any previous surgeries, any drug allergies, medical conditions and any medications, vitamins and herbal supplements that you are currently taking. The surgeon will evaluate your health and your pre-existing health conditions, examine your face and take photographs before recommending which treatment is best for you in order to give you the best cheek implants Rancho Mirage has to offer.