Cheek augmentation is the procedure where filling of the cheek is done to lift and fill volume . Some people lose cheek volume with age and some never gain cheek volume to a satisfactory level . options for cheek augmentation are 

• Fat harvested from same patient
• Implants 
• Dermal fillers 

INDICATIONS:

• Loss of cheek volume due to aging 
• To lift cheek and make more aesthetic
• Saggy skin after massive weight loss

ANESTHESIA: depends on individual patients demands and amount of augmentation required 

• General anesthesia 
• Local anesthesia 
• Local anesthesia combined with IV sedation 

HOSPITAL STAY: depends on individual patients demands and amount of augmentation required. Can b performed as day care or inpatient surgery 

RECOVERY:

      Dressings and bandages may be applied on your skin. You will be asked to keep cheek movements to minimal for initial few days. Recovery from the procedure takes about two weeks. Elastic compression garment may be required in case of implant augmentation for four weeks.

COMPLICATIONS:

• Anesthesia complications 
• Bleeding 
• Wound infection 
• Fluid collection 
• Fat necrosis
• asymmetry 
• Implant displacement 
• Implant capsular contracture
• Fat cysts 
• Under correction/overcorrection  

FAQs:

1. Does all the fat that is transferred stay at the grafted site?

Variable amount of fat that is grafted is absorbed at the donor site. 

2. Can fat grafting procedures be repeated?

Due to the variable rate of fat absorption at donor site fat grafting sessions can be repeated multiple times and is safe.

Written by :  Dr. Mehtab Ahmed
Copyrights: Pakistan association of Plastic Surgeons