Cheek Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m a healthy 32 yr old man who previously had a successful rhinoplasty one yr ago. One week ago I had Radiesse (1,5 ml x 2) injected in my cheeks and I loved the results immediately after. But since the inflammation has gone away, I lost that chiseled male model look I am going for. It still looks good but not as good and not that chiseled look anymore. I can’t afford to inject my cheeks with Radiesse every week so I need a permanent result. The problem with off the shelf cheek implants is that they only provide a 4 mm thickness and the post op pictures look too subtle for me. (because I want to be a model). I have low body fat and a narrow face with thin cheeks so I feel that I have the anatomical prerequisites to achieve that attractive look with the help of a skilled surgeon like yourself. What is your opinion on this? I have attached 2 photos from before and immediately after my Radiesse injections. I also attached photos of three male celebrities with the chiseled look that I am looking for.

A: Injectable filler treatments can be a good test to see the effects of cheek augmentation but are clearly not suitable for a sustained and repeated cheek augmentation approach over time. If an injectable filler treatment gave you very pleasing results then I am certain that a bone-based cheek implant can do the same if not better. Cheek implants do come in thicknesses greater than 4mms so I am not certain that a preformed standard cheek implant of the right style and size would not work for you. There is, of course, always the option to make custom cheek implants.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana