Cheeks

Cosmetic cheek surgery is a plastic surgery that enhances the appearance of the cheeks. It can improve the cheek's volume, shape, and position, resulting in a more youthful and attractive look. Cheeks that are too thin and sunken may make a person look old and tired, while chubby cheeks are usually a reason for complaint since they lead to an overweight or childlike appearance.

What is a bichectomy?

Bichectomy is a type of cosmetic cheek surgery that removes small pockets of fat in the cheek area, called buccal fat pads.

Everyone has these fat pads, and the size of the pads differs from person to person, directly affecting the shape of the face.

During a bichectomy, excess fat is removed to reduce the size of the cheek and create a more defined, sculpted appearance. People usually associate chubby cheeks with being too childlike; therefore, more sculpted, sleek facial features significantly improve the self-confidence of many patients.

How is a bichectomy performed?

Bichectomy is performed under local anesthesia or IV sedation. The procedure involves making small incisions inside the cheek to remove the fat pads, creating a symmetrical appearance in both cheeks. The incisions are then closed with absorbable sutures.

What is the recovery period like after a bichectomy?

• After a bichectomy, the face may be swollen for 7 to 15 days, which can be relieved with a cold compress. There may be some discomfort and pain, which can be managed with medication prescribed by your surgeon.
• Prescribed pain medication and antibiotics should be used as directed.
• There may also be some bruising, but it is expected to disappear shortly.
• The head should be elevated during sleep for a few nights after the operation.
• Only liquid foods such as soups and smoothies can be consumed for the first 24 hours following the surgery.
• Since the incisions are in the cheeks, patients should avoid hard or crunchy foods for 2-3 days and introduce these types of foods gradually.
• Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and social life in about a week.
• Patients should avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects for at least two weeks.

What is micro fat grafting?

Micro fat grafting is a cosmetic procedure that involves removing small amounts of fat from one area of the body with micro liposuction and transplanting it to the face. This procedure aims to restore volume to areas that have lost fatty tissue due to aging, weight loss, or injury.

Micro fat grafting is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a fine needle to harvest fat from a donor site, such as the abdomen, hips, or thighs. The harvested fat is then processed and injected into the face to enhance the cheeks, under-eye area, jawline, lips, or nose.

Facial volume loss, such as hollowing of the temples and forehead, deformities on the nasal bridge, and under-eye hollows, can be fixed with micro fat grafting.

Facial fat grafting can help to enhance the appearance of cheeks by adding volume for a younger and healthier look.

How is facial fat grafting done?

The procedure begins with administering local or general anesthesia, depending on the extent of the procedure. The surgeon will then make small incisions in the donor site, typically the abdomen or hips, to extract the fat using a fine needle. The harvested fat is then purified and prepared for transplantation. The fat is then re-injected into the face through tiny incisions using a microcannula or needle. The surgeon will carefully place the fat in the desired areas to ensure a natural, smooth result.

The procedure takes 1-1.5 hours, and the patient can be discharged on the same day.

Although the results of facial fat grafting are immediately visible, it may take 3 to 6 months for the face to take its final form.

Benefits of facial fat grafting

There are several benefits to facial fat grafting, including:

• Natural-looking results: The transplanted fat is taken from the patient's own body, making the results look and feel natural.
• Rejuvenates facial features: Micro fat grafting can restore lost volume to areas such as the cheeks, under-eye area, jawline, and lips, making a face appear more youthful and attractive. The stem cells found in the fat tissue also help rejuvenate the skin. 
• Long-lasting results: Facial fat grafting is considered a long-lasting procedure, as the fat cells can be permanent once they establish new blood vessels in the transplanted area.
• Minimally invasive: Micro fat grafting is a minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions, reducing the risk of scarring and complications.

Healing after facial fat grafting

After the procedure, patients may experience some swelling and tenderness in the injected areas. This is normal and should subside within a few days.

A cold compress can be used to help with swelling.

Most patients are able to return to work and normal activities within a few days but should avoid strenuous exercise for about a week.

The final results of facial fat grafting may take several months to become fully apparent as the transplanted fat adjusts to its new location.

You can find more information on dermal fillers and the cost of dermal fillers here and lip fillers and the cost of lip fillers here..

What is endoscopic midface lift?

An endoscopic midface lift is a cosmetic surgery to rejuvenate and tighten the mid-facial area, including the cheeks, cheekbones, and temples. This procedure can help to reduce signs of aging, such as sagging skin, wrinkles, and hollowing in the middle of the face. As the skin and facial muscles start losing their firmness and elasticity with age, the shape of the face becomes rounder and sags downwards, deepening the nasolabial lines descending from the edge of the nose to the edge of the mouth, especially in people with fuller cheeks. An endoscopic mid-face lift helps cheeks regain their former firmness, adds definition to cheekbones, and reduces the crow's feet appearance around the eyes.

This procedure is typically recommended to patients between the ages of 35-50 and is an excellent way of regaining a well-rested and fresh look.

While an endoscopic midface lift is as long-lasting as a traditional facelift, it involves minimal incisions and is less invasive. It is a very popular facial rejuvenation method among men and women.

How is endoscopic midface lift done?

An endoscopic midface lift is performed with small incisions on the temple from the scalp and- if necessary, from the inside of the mouth, and an endoscope, a slender, tube-like instrument equipped with a camera and light. The endoscope allows the surgeon to see inside the body and perform the procedure with precision and accuracy.

During the procedure, the surgeon will lift and tighten the underlying muscles and tissues, repositioning the fat pads and skin and trimming any excess skin. The sagging and hollowing near the corners of the mouth are eliminated.

After the procedure is completed, the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures. The endoscopic midface lift takes between 1-1.5 hours to complete.

Depending on the patient's needs, it may be combined with other procedures such as eyelid surgery, brow lift, or neck lift.

Benefits of an endoscopic midface lift

An endoscopic midface lift offers many benefits, including:

• A rejuvenated, youthful appearance in the mid-face
• Improved definition of the cheekbones and temples
• Reduced wrinkles and fine lines
• Improved skin texture and elasticity
• Reversal of volume loss in the cheeks

Its main advantage over a traditional facelift is minimal scarring and creating a more natural appearance.

An endoscopic midface takes a shorter time, causes less bleeding and edema, and heals quicker.

Healing after an endoscopic midface lift

• After the procedure, patients may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the treated area.
• Pain can usually be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
• Swelling and bruising typically subside within a week or two.
• Most patients are able to return to work and normal activities within a week, although strenuous activities should be avoided for several weeks.
• A cold compress may be applied to minimize edema and bruising.
• Patients are advised to sleep with their heads elevated for the first couple of nights following the procedure.
• The full results of the procedure will be visible in a couple of months.

You may find more information on facelifts here.