With aging comes a loss of facial volume. Cheek implantation, also known as cheek augmentation is a cosmetic surgery procedure that adds volume to areas of the face that lack definition, which in turn gives the face aq more balanced look. Cheeks start to flatten with aging as muscle tone and fat lying beneath the surface of the skin decreases.

Cheek implants are ideal for those who have lost 'puffiness' in their cheeks, or for people who have lost cheek contour due to congenital deficiency, facial trauma or simply the aging process. Cheek implants combat a 'gaunt' appearance and help to remove the effects of aging.

Ensure that you fully investigate the options available to you, there are a wide range of possible procedures available; from non-invasive dermal fillers to significant surgery. An appointment with a good cosmetic surgeon will enable you to make an informed opinion about this.  

A cheek implant procedure involves making a small incision in one of two places; either inside the mouth or just beneath the lower eyelash. If you desire a high cheekbone effect, the implant will be placed in the outer upper cheek area. If you suffer from a sunken face, the implant will be insertes in the lowere or mid-cheek region.  Some patients choose to have a combination of the two different implants, your surgeon will discuss these options with you.

The operation takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending in the extent of the procedure and the implant material used.

The recovery time is dependant on the procedure and the extent of bruising and swelling. On average, you can expect to need 2-7 days of recovery time.

You can expect your cheeks to appear plump with restored volume; an overall more youthful appearance. Permenant cheek implants that are skillfully placed can produce subtle but lasting improvements to your face.

There are many variations on both the type of procedure you can have and the implant material that can be used - from synthetic silicone, rigid polyethylene that needs to be screwed into place and a ePTFE, a synthetic material of white rubbery consistency moulded for medical use.

 You should expect to experience some pain and difficulty both smiling and talking following cheek implant surgery. After a week you should find that the swelling and bruising has improved considerably, however you may feel a degree of numbness for several weeks. There are a few rare potential side effects to cheek implant surgery; infection, a reaction to the anaesthesia or a collection of blood underneath the skin which may need to be removed with a syringe.

Cheek implants ae usually in the range of £1500-£3000 depending on the type of implant used.

There are a number of important factors to consider when deciding upon a surgeon. Your surgeon should carefully discuss with you the type of implant that is appropriate, as well as your expectations form the surgery. You should feel comfortable with your suegeon and able to make an informed decision.