Cheek Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am not quite ready for a facelift but would like to restore the fullness to my face/cheeks through cheek implants. Here are my pictures. I am interested in your thoughts about cheek implants for me. Thank you in advance.

A: You are an excellent candidate for midfacial volume restoration or augmentation through a combined malar-submalar shell style cheek implantas. You are spot on in terms of what would have the greatest anti-aging effect on your face. Such as implant is really like a ‘deep plane facelift’ for the midface. By elevating the cheek tissues off of the masseteric fascia they are allowed to float upward and are supported by the ‘spacer concept’ of the cheek implants.

Like all facial implants proper selection of cheek implant style and size is essential. Particularly relevant is the surface area that they cover in the midface, The aging face with sagging cheeks requires that the implant pocket extend down over the origin of the masseter muscle on the cheekbone.

I would agree that you are not only not ready nor would a traditional facelift produce the type of facial rejuvenation change that would most benefit you in the midface.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana