Cheek implant cosmetic surgery is designed to add fullness to depleted or sunken mid-face. The procedure involves the placement of synthetic cheek implants to make a thinning face appear rounder and more proportionate.
The surgeon will explain to the patient the different steps involved in the cheek implant surgery. Most patients feel more confident and reassured when they understand what the cheek augmentation procedure will entail.
Kind and board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Lin provides cheek implants to patients in West Covina, Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley, Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, Pasadena, Diamond Bar and surrounding areas in California.
Placing the Surgical Markings
The surgeon will operate as per the customized surgical plan developed during the pre-op consultation process. Cheek implant surgery procedure steps will largely remain the same in most cases, but depending on a patient’s unique needs, a few adjustments could be made.
The surgeon will begin the procedure by placing surgical markings on the cheeks to ensure that the implant placement is done precisely in the right location. This will also help the surgeon delineate the underlying structures that they do not want to disturb during the surgery.
Administering of Anesthesia
In the operating room, the patient will be placed in a supine (face-up) position. Then they will be administered general anesthesia. At times, the surgeon may decide to perform the cheek augmentation cosmetic surgery using only local anesthesia with IV sedation.
The anesthesia will be administered by a qualified anesthesiologist or a certified nurse anesthetist. They will usually be present throughout the procedure to monitor the patient’s response to anesthesia.
Incision Placement
Following anesthesia, the surgeon will make a small incision beneath the cheek or from inside the mouth. If the incision is placed outside the mouth, it will cause a small scar. However, an incision within the mouth will not result in any visible scarring.
Incisions inside the mouth pose some risk of infection because of the presence of harmful bacteria. But most patients will be able to avoid infection with some precautions as advised by the surgeon.
If external incisions are necessary, the surgeon will place them in a discreet manner within the natural creases and folds to ensure that any subsequent scar is well-hidden.
Cheek Implant Placement
The surgeon will create a tissue pocket to accommodate the implant. They will carefully insert the implant through the incision using a sterilized clamp and position it accurately.
Thereafter, the surgeon will evaluate the aesthetic aspects to make sure that the cheeks are in harmony with other facial features. The surgeon may modify the size or shape of the cheek implant at this stage if required. Then they will meticulously suture the implant in position.
Incision Closure
The surgeon will use absorbable or traditional sutures to close the incision after the implant has been placed in its correct position. It usually takes a week to 10 days before the sutures can be removed.
The patient may be given prescription pain medications to help them remain comfortable once the effect of anesthesia wears off. They will leave the surgical facility with a responsible driver after a few hours of monitoring and observation.
Reliable plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Lin receives patients from West Covina, Inland Empire, San Gabriel Valley, Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, Pasadena, Diamond Bar and other neighborhoods and cities in this part of California for cheek augmentation.
Click here to learn more about all the plastic surgery procedures and treatments cosmetic plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Lin performs for patients in and around Pasadena, Chino, Rowland Heights, Baldwin Park, Whittier, Brea, Arcadia, West Covina, Inland Empire, and San Gabriel Valley. Call today to schedule a consultation 626.810.6165 or click here.
