Malarplasty cosmetic surgery for fuller cheeks

Procedure Summary

Malarplasty (the medical term that describes plastic surgery used to restructure the cheeks and jaw) advanced dramatically during the pioneering reconstructive surgery of World War I and then again during World War II. Subsequent innovations in surgical technology led to the use of solid silicone implants (as opposed to liquid silicone implants) in 1956, allowing faces to be rebuilt with a greater degree of aesthetic, as well as functional, consideration. Nowadays, your cosmetic surgeon may choose from a wide variety of implant materials, from bone, coral, Gore-Tex or fat, to make your cheek implants look and feel completely natural. The malarplasty procedure has become commonplace, improving the physical and psychological well-being of countless patients.

Take a look at this American website for a range of cheek implant materials (although some may not be available in the UK):

www.cheekaugmentation.com/augmentation_options.htm

Is cheek implant surgery right for you?

After undergoing their cosmetic surgery, most cheek implant patients find that the definition of their face has changed. As one patient put it, “Not only did I have lovely, full cheeks, they also caused the area around my cheeks to be lifted into shape. Now my whole face looks strong and healthy instead of flat and gaunt.”

People often request cheek implants because they think their face looks deep-set. However, this may be due to the natural proportions of your face rather than deficient cheeks. Before considering a cheek implant, talk to your surgeon about your suitability for the procedure and, should you choose to proceed, your individual pre-op preparation.

There is always some degree of risk associated with surgery, which the plastic surgeon will explain during the consultation. Risks can include infection, blood loss, fluid collection, movement of the implant and scarring. Cheek implants may also alter the symmetry of your face. However, thousands of cheek implants are carried out each year. When performed by a qualified plastic surgeon, and when the patient complies with all pre and post operation advice, the results are typically successful.

Undergoing the procedure

The method of inserting and positioning your implant will depend on your particular preferences as well as your surgeon's preferred approach. Generally, the procedure takes up to two hours for each implant and may be performed under a local or general anaesthetic, allowing you in most cases to return home later the same day.

As well as the commonly used silicone, there are several other materials that can be used as cheek implants, including tissue from your own body and polythene.

Normally the surgeon will make incisions inside the mouth where the cheek joins the upper gum and insert the implant through the cuts. By inserting the implants over the cheek bones they will build ‘naturally’ on your existing bone structure. There is also an alternative technique that involves inserting the implant through a cut in the lower eyelid. An advantage of inserting the implant through the mouth is that it does not usually leave a visible scar.

You will feel sore for a few days after the operation and will experience slight swelling and bruising which will soon fade. The stitches used will be biodegradable, so you will not need to have them removed, and care should be taking where the incisions were made, when brushing your teeth, for example. Most patients are able to go back to work after a couple of days. Although it is wise not to do anything strenuous for the first 2 weeks.

“Once the swelling had died down my cheeks looked great,” said one implant patient. “However, it still felt a bit stiff whenever I smiled – though this sensation gradually eased and I soon felt perfectly normal.”

As with all cosmetic surgery, it is essential to follow the advice of your practitioner after the procedure. This will make the outcome as successful as possible and reduce the risk of complications

When synthetic implants such as silicone or polythene are used, the results of the operation will be permanent, although, of course, the face will continue to age and skin will gradually lose its elasticity and sag.

Choosing a surgeon

This procedure should be carried out by a surgeon with relevant skills and experience in an establishment registered with the Healthcare Commission. When choosing a surgeon to carry out the procedure, personal recommendation is helpful, however, because surgeons specialise in one particular area, a recommendation from a friend after a successful tummy tuck doesn’t mean their surgeon will be the right choice to perform a cheek implant!

Prices for cheek implants can range from £1500 to £3000 depending on the amount of surgery involved and the type of implant used. If you are considering undergoing cheek implant surgery, you can discuss all of the issues mentioned here in greater depth during a consultation with your cosmetic surgeon.

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