Cheekbones may be more pronounced using dermal fillers and lipofilling.
In the last few years facial bone augmentation has become more popular especially among women but more and more men also want their cheekbones to be more pronounced. This can be achieved using dermal fillers and lipofilling. Dermal fillers are resorptive so the procedure has to be repeated, due to fat resorption. The same goes for lipofilling as well. Cheekbone augmentation with an implant gives a stable and permanent result. Facial implants, therefore, zygomatic implants as well are specially formed, firm, biocompatible materials designed to enhance or enlarge the physical structure of the face. They come in multiple sizes but can also be custom-made.
Procedure
The facial bone augmentation procedure lasts 1 hour and it can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia. If the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, before the surgery the patient has to perform laboratory blood tests (complete blood count, biochemistry and coagulation) as well as urine test, ECG and, if needed, depending on your medical history, an internal medicine specialist checkup. As before all procedures under general anesthesia, the patient is not allowed to eat or drink during the period of 6 hours before the surgery. The access incision is intraoral i.e. through the oral cavity so there are no visible scars on the outside.
Recovery
Depending on the type of anesthesia used during the procedure, you can go home after the procedure or you will stay at the clinic 5-12 hours in case of general anesthesia. Antibiotics and analgesics are usually prescribed after the surgery. We recommend liquid diet i.e. softer food that does not require much chewing. We also recommend that you sleep on your back with your head elevated to reduce the swelling. Due to the same reason, we recommend staying out of the sun and warmth, as well as avoiding warm food and drinks that evaporate to the face. Bandages are worn for 5-7 days. Stitches are removed after 7-14 days. After bandages are removed, there is a possibility of minimal swelling or bruising. All of the aforementioned side effects should resolve within 14 days.
Result
The result is visible immediately after the procedure, but to see the final result, you must wait for the postoperative swelling to completely disappear.
Disclaimer: Results of facial bone augmentation are individual, and can vary from one patient to another depending on the patient’s condition and their anatomical build.
