Infraorbital Malar Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in infraorbital malar implants. I have no support under my eyes and have a lack of malar development. Although I have high cheek bones…they just aren’t developed and don’t project! This lack of anterior midface and malar lateral projection gives me a very soft, undefined face. And the lack of orbital support gives me a very round eye, innocent look that makes me look really young and immature. This is my assessment anyway. I’d like to know what you think and give me you thoughts and recommendations

Essentially I want to look more chiseled and defined in my cheeks, more masculine and have some angles to my face at least. Also I’d like to have orbital support to make it so my eyes look smaller and don’t have the tear troughs or dark circles.

I will attach some pictures so you can see what I’m talking about. I can only attach two pictures for some reason, but if I push up under my eyes with my fingers…as if I had more orbital support, I look much older and mature, with more definition. I know most people want to look younger with plastic surgery….but I want to look older!! I look way younger than my age.

A: Your facial skeletal assessment is correct in that you have an infraorbital malar deficiency. Correction requires a specialized type of facial implant known as an infraorbital-malar or cheek-infraorbital implant. Such a facial implant does not exist as a standard or preformed style.

There are two method to acquiring infraorbital malar implants, a custom or semi-custom method. A custom approach uses a 3D CT scan of the patient and the implant is designed off of it. A semi-custom approach allows me to select an infraorbital-malar implant from a variety of custom ones that have been made for other patients. Given the shape of this area of the facial skeleton a semi-custom implant can be a more cost-effective methid that fits fairly well.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana