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Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery

Cheek Augmentation With Implants, Fillers, or Fat in Pasadena, CA

Plump cheeks signify health, youth, and vitality, but they typically lose volume over time. These changes are subtle at first but eventually can make your face look tired, drawn, and hollow. Cheek augmentation can make you look younger and healthier nearly instantly.

Dr. Martin O’Toole and Dr. Adam O’Toole perform cheek augmentation for their patients in and near Pasadena, California, and offer surgical and non-surgical options.

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What Are My Cheek Augmentation Options?

If you are interested in enhancing your facial features and returning youthful volume to your cheeks, cheek augmentation offers a dramatic solution. The cheek augmentation procedure lifts the mid-face area and gives the appearance of high cheekbones — a traditional symbol of beauty that has withstood the test of time.

The following surgical and non-surgical options can produce excellent results and work to balance facial features.

Surgical Cheek Augmentation

Cheek implants can be used to replace volume that has been lost due to aging or for younger patients who aren’t happy with their natural cheekbone structure.

Solid cheek implants are crafted from silicone rubber and are placed under the muscle directly on the cheekbones.

Implants are surgically inserted through small incisions inside the mouth or lower eyelid.

Non-surgical Cheek Augmentation

Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ XC produce fuller cheeks instantly.

Dermal fillers do not provide permanent results and can last up to two years, depending on the filler used.

If you are not satisfied with the volume achieved, you can opt to add more with this method.

Fat Transfer to the Cheeks

An increasingly popular alternative to implants and dermal fillers, fat transfer to the face can restore lasting volume to the cheeks without needing surgically placed implants.

Here, fat is harvested from elsewhere on your body (abs, hips, thighs, etc.) using liposuction, purified, and injected into the cheeks. This option is minimally invasive and provides long-lasting volume improvement.

What Are the Advantages of Cheek Augmentation?

What Are the Advantages of Cheek Augmentation?

Restores the Ogee Curve

The Ogee curve is the S-shaped line made when tracing the facial contour from the top of the eye, past the cheek, and down to the mouth. It defines the mid-face area and offers youthful width and plumpness, and the more defined the curve, the younger and more aesthetically pleasing it is.

Look Younger, Healthier, and Happier

A pinchable cheek is the hallmark of health, and when we look healthier, we look younger. Plump cheeks make us look full of vitality, while hollows make us look tired and drained of energy. Even when we smile or laugh, full cheeks portray a more cheerful personality.

No Visible Scarring

All cheek augmentation techniques leave no visible scarring. Because dermal fillers are injectable treatments, there are no incisions made. And because the incisions for cheek implants are made within the mouth, they will leave no external marks. While fat transfer to the face will leave small scars at the liposuction treatment areas, there will be no scars on the face since this is an injectable procedure.

Natural-Looking Results

At Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery, your plastic surgeon is committed to delivering natural-looking results that meet or exceed your expectations. We examine your facial anatomy closely and use a mapping technique to pinpoint areas where symmetry can be improved.

What Are Your Concerns?

Recovery

Recovery

Any bruising and swelling should subside within a few days of the surgery, but be sure to follow Dr. O’Toole’s instructions for post-operative care. Low-impact activities can be resumed within a few days, but you will need to avoid high-impact movements that could strain the cheeks or incision sites for three to four weeks.

Use a cold compress and avoid taking aspirin, NSAIDs, or supplements that can increase bleeding before and after your procedure.

Cost

Cost

As with any cosmetic procedure, the cost of your cheek implants, fat transfer, or non-surgical cheek augmentation will vary depending on the option you choose. While dermal fillers will require additional maintenance treatments down the line, they will cost significantly less than cheek implants up front. You will have a chance to review all of your cheek augmentation options — and their costs — during your consultation.

 

Pain

Pain

Cheek implant surgery and fat transfer to the face are performed under anesthesia (local or general), so you will not feel any pain during your procedure. A topical anesthetic is applied before cheek augmentation with fillers, and you won’t feel much during the treatment. However, you can expect some discomfort after either procedure that can be reduced with over-the-counter medicine and cold compresses.

Scarring

Scarring

Incisions are made on the inside of the upper lip or the lower eyelid, which conceal any scarring. With dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ XC, there may be some redness at the injection site that will disappear in a few days.

Fat transfer to the face will result in small, hard-to-see scars at the liposuction areas. These will fade with time. There will be no scarring on the face.

Results

Results

Dr. O’Toole prides himself on delivering excellent results when performing plastic surgery and non-surgical treatments. Most cheek implant or filler augmentation patients are surprised at how natural the results look while providing a significant aesthetic improvement.

 

Cheek implants or cheek augmentation with injectables provide nearly immediate results with little to no downtime. Some swelling may be present with implants which may obscure the initial results.  When using a dermal filler, you can add more if you desire a more dramatic transformation.

Frequently Asked Questions Cheek Augmentation

  • Should I choose cheek implants over dermal fillers?

    Cheek implants are designed to be permanent, while dermal fillers are temporary, lasting up to two years. You may opt to try a dermal filler first to see how it looks before committing yourself to cheek implants.

  • Is fat transfer to the face permanent?

    Fat transfer is an injectable procedure that lasts far longer than dermal fillers. As with your natural facial fat, some of the fat will be lost over time with age. Additionally, you can see fluctuations in your results with any natural weight fluctuations. However, with a healthy lifestyle, your results can last for several years, making this a lasting alternative to dermal fillers.

  • What happens during cheek augmentation surgery?

    Cheek augmentation surgery usually takes about one to one-and-half hours to complete. During surgery, Dr. O’Toole will make a small incision inside the mouth or the lower eyelid. Next, he will insert the implant in a pocket under the muscle. The incision is then closed with sutures.

  • What are the risks involved with cheek augmentation surgery?

    Complications from cheek implant surgery are rare but can include infection, nerve damage, and excessive bleeding. Your plastic surgeon will discuss these risks with you during your consultation or before your procedure.

  • How long should I take off from work after cheek implant surgery?

    You can expect to take approximately one week from work to heal from your surgery. Postponing significant social events for a few weeks is recommended to allow the swelling and bruising to subside. Your surgeon will instruct you when it is safe to resume more strenuous activities at your follow-up appointment.

  • What other surgical procedures can I combine with cheek implants?

    Any facial surgery can usually be added to cheek implant surgery. These may include the following:

  • What is non-surgical cheek augmentation?

    Non-surgical cheek augmentation uses an injectable dermal filler to restore volume to the cheeks. At Pasadena Cosmetic Surgery, we use JUVÉDERM VOLUMA® XC to increase cheek volume. The filler solution is injected via a needle and doesn’t require any incisions. We offer a topical anesthetic to prevent discomfort during the treatment.

  • Am I a good candidate for cheek augmentation with JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ XC?

    JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ XC is FDA approved for people 21 years and older. If you have undefined cheekbones, hollowed cheeks, or age-related volume loss in your cheeks, this treatment may be right for you.

  • Is the JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ XC injection process painful?

    JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ XC is created with lidocaine in the filler gel. The lidocaine numbs the surrounding skin, eliminating any pain that may be associated with an injection treatment. A topical anesthetic is also used to minimize discomfort.

  • How long does a non-surgical cheek augmentation procedure take?

    Non-surgical cheek augmentation is a very quick procedure. It usually takes from 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the areas treated and the amount of correction needed.

  • Are there any side effects associated with non-surgical cheek augmentation?

    There are few side effects to worry about with non-surgical cheek augmentation, but when they occur, may include:

    • Redness
    • Tenderness
    • Bruising
    • Swelling

  • How long does cheek augmentation with JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ XC last?

    JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ XC can provide volume to your cheeks for up to two years, and to maintain results after that, you will need additional treatments.

Testimonials

“Dr. O’Toole and his staff are amazingly warm and comforting. I felt comfortable asking as many questions as I wanted and left feeling completely confident in my plastic surgery treatment. Dr. O’Toole was my breast implant surgeon and after 20 years, I wouldn’t go to anyone else for future body beautification needs. In fact, I love his work so much, that I have referred my mom and she has happily booked her appointment already. He is truly the best plastic surgeon! Love you all!”
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