Cheekbone Reduction

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have rather under defined but wide cheeks. I’m interested in undergoing both Cheekbone Reduction and Cheek Implant surgeries. I saw your answers on RealSelf and wanted to know more about your experiences in these surgeries. Also, how much would it cost to perform both surgeries? Thank you a lot in advance.

A: You have the classic wide cheekbones (technically zygomatic arches) that do not have much anterior projection over the body of the zygoma. (malar prominence) Hence your description of ‘underdefined but wide cheeks’. As you already know improving this type of cheekbone anatomy requires cheekbone reduction surgery (technically inward respositioning of the zygomatic arches) and implant augmentation. (anterior cheek augmentation) The most challenging aspect of this surgery is in the cheek implant design. There is no standard cheek implant made that achieves the type of cheek augmentation that you need. Fortunately I have treated enough Asian patients who desire this exact type of cheek change that I have designed specific cheek implants to achieve this anterior projection but which create no lateral projection or width increase.

I will have my assistant pass along the cost of the surgery to you on Monday.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana