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Home  /   Conditions & Treatments  /   Plastic Surgery  /   Cosmetic Services  /   Cheek Augmentation and Reduction

Cheek Augmentation and Reduction

Woman touching her face

Our cheeks are an important indicator of our mood, whether we’re smiling, frowning, blushing or experiencing any human emotion. If you are curious about changing the appearance of your face or smile, the aesthetics team at MU Health Care can answer your questions and help form a plan that’s personalized to your needs.

We offer a full range of services including nonsurgical options like injectables, as well as surgical options including cheek reduction, also called buccal fat removal, and cheek implants.

Cheek implants

The definition in our cheeks is due to a fat pad underneath the skin. This pad can shrink, move or otherwise lose volume due to factors such as age and genetics. Some people may also experience skin issues such as dryness or textured lines at the same time.

Cheek implants are similar in many ways to breast implants, although they are much smaller and generally use a firmer filling. Some cheek implants use a hard plastic-like filling to simulate the bones in your face.

At MU Health Care, our surgeons can insert implants by making incisions inside your mouth to conceal the surgical scar.

Moderate pain and swelling is common for three or four days after surgery. Your doctor will recommend a liquid diet to help your body heal more quickly. Your surgeon will also schedule several follow-up appointments up to six months after surgery to make sure your swelling goes down, the implant remains in the ideal location and you’re happy with the results.

Cheek reduction

Cheek fat removal, or buccal fat removal, can change the prominence of your lower cheeks by reducing the volume of fat underneath your skin. It can result in a narrower or slimmer face when looking at it from the front or side.

Similar to cheek implants, the fat is removed using an incision on the inside of your mouth and can use either mild sedation or general anesthesia. Recovery can take up to a week, and your surgeon will schedule follow-up appointments based on your individual needs.

Cheek reduction surgery is permanent because the fat underneath the skin does not grow back. Your surgeon will discuss the procedure with you, including how your anatomy will impact the final appearance, and answer your questions to help you decide if the procedure is right for you. This presurgical consultation will also cover the potential risks and side effects.

Cheek augmentation surgery at MU Health Care

At MU Health Care, our surgeons are trained in cosmetic surgery and certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). This means you can expect a commitment to safety, access to the latest treatments and trust in our expertise to help you achieve your goals.

Working with a board-certified surgeon can help ensure any changes you make are in proportion to the rest of your face, and help you decide which procedure will get you the results you want.

Good candidates for cheek augmentation are people who do not have serious heart or lung conditions, are a stable weight or close to their ideal weight, and non-smokers. If you smoke, please be prepared to quit smoking for six weeks before surgery and six weeks after surgery.

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