Cheek implant cosmetic surgery is designed to enhance the mid-face volume and create a fuller and rounder face.
The recovery period can vary from one patient to another depending on the surgical technique, implant size, and whether cheek augmentation is combined with another facial procedure.
If the patient undergoes cheek enhancement surgery along with a nose job, chin implants or facelift, the recovery period will be extended in such cases. A skilled surgeon will be able to customize the cheek augmentation procedure in a way to minimize the risk and enable faster post-operative healing.
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.
Relatively Faster Recovery
The recovery process in cheek augmentation can vary according to the extent of the surgery, the shape and size of the implant, incision size, and whether the procedure was carried out along with other surgeries.
But in a majority of cases, recovery following a cheek implant surgery is faster and less painful compared to major procedures such as a full traditional facelift. The surgeon may prescribe pain meds for the initial few days after the surgery to ensure that the patient goes through a comfortable recovery phase.
Immediate Recovery Phase
The surgeon may perform the cheek augmentation with the patient under general or local anesthesia. It will take a few hours after the procedure for the patient to fully recover from the influence of general anesthesia and be in a position to return home safely.
After the cheek implant cosmetic surgery, the patient may experience numbness in the mid-face and lips, which is similar to the sensation felt after visiting a dentist. As the sensation returns, the patient will experience soreness and tightness in the incision sites due to the natural inflammation of the body.
The surgeon may prescribe pain meds to ensure that the patient remains comfortable. Within a day of the cheek augmentation, most patients can resume light activities and take short walks at home. The immediate post-surgical phase in cheek implant is easier in comparison to more comprehensive procedures such as a facelift.
Recovery in the First Two Weeks
Most patients would have healed sufficiently within the initial week to be able to return to their normal routine or resume work. An important factor in the recovery process is the cheek augmentation technique used. If the surgeon places the cheek implants externally, then sutures can be taken out in around a week to ten days.
In case the implant placement is done through the inside of the mouth, the patient may need to be on a liquid or soft food diet for some days until the mucosal skin heals. If the cheek implant surgery is performed along with another procedure, the recovery period could be slightly longer.
Long Term Recovery
Following the surgery, the nerve function in the incision areas will be slowly restored, but the patient may feel a mild sensation in the mid-face for several days. Most of the inflammation will resolve in approximately six weeks.
The full and final results of the procedure will become apparent within a few months as the swelling resolves completely.
Experienced 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 surrounding areas in 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.
