How Long After Cheekbone Reconstruction Should I Wait To Have A Cheeklift?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had my cheekbone and jaw reduced a few years back. If I was to use bone grafts to push the cheekbone back out…would it be best to wait 6 months to a year before I consider a cheeklift? Or can cheekbone reconstruction and a cheek lift be done at the same time?  Thank you.

A: Since it has been a few years since you had cheekbone reduction surgery, there is no reason to wait any longer if secondary cheekbone reconstruction is desired. Treatment options include an anterior re-osteotomy with an interpositional bone graft, a cheek lift or a combination of both done at the same time.

The question you may be asking is whether you should wait to determine if you need a cheeklift after cheekbone reconstruction. It can not be determined beforehand whether tech cheekbone reconstruction will negate the need for the cheeklift or not. Thus you can argue to have the cheekbone reconstruction first and then see if the cheeklift is really needed.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana