Cheek Augmentation

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in some form of cheek augmentation. I have a concave portion of my face that I would like augmented. From the semi profile view, I find the circled area below may have missing volume. I found someone that had a similar shape in this area and had it fixed with fillers (photo under mine). I assume the jaw implant would have no impact on this area? Assuming not, do you think putting fillers there would be appropriate to get a similar outcome as in the photo under mine in this area?

A: The volume deficient cheek area to which you refer is in what I call the ‘trampoline area of the face’ which is a non-bony supported area between the cheeks and the jawline. No form of an implant will improve that area so an injectable approach needs to be done for that lower type of midface or cheek augmentation procedure.. If one wasn’t having surgery then a synthetic injectable filler would be used. But since you would be having surgery then fat injections should be done. While fat injections are unpredictable in terms of retention they are a ‘surgical’ choice and are better than having a known temporary synthetic filler placed. Fat may or may not survive. But at least it has a chance unlike any synthetic filler.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana