Face

Chin/Cheek Implants

Full cheeks and defined cheekbones are attractive physical features desired by men and women alike to produce a balanced and aesthetically-pleasing face. Patients who have lost facial volume with aging or who were born with weak cheeks can benefit from cheek implants, made of solid silicone or other biocompatible materials that are customized for each individual patient's facial contour and their desired results.

Many patients choose to have cheek implants placed in conjunction with a facelift, blepharoplasty or rhinoplasty for optimum results. Your surgeon will develop a customized treatment plan for you based on a thorough evaluation of your facial structure, overall health and personal goals.

Procedure

During the cheek implant procedure, a small incision will be made in the mouth or in the eyelid to place the implant with minimal scarring. A pocket is created in the cheek area before the implant is precisely placed and then secured by attaching it to a bone or soft tissue. The incision is then closed with sutures.

Facial Liposuction

Facial liposuction, also called submental or submentum liposuction, is the removal of fat from under the chin using suction. This procedure can significantly reduce excess facial fat which may cause an overweight appearance or a poorly defined or double chin. The excess fat is often a result of aging, obesity, or heredity.

Facial liposuction involves either an intra-oral incision through the mouth or a transdermal incision just under the chin. Scarring is often minimal because the incision is made in a crease of the skin.

Some patients may benefit from a chin implant in addition to liposuction. This makes the chin more prominent and adds balance to the face. Facial liposuction can also be done in conjunction with buccal fat extraction, a surgical procedure that extracts excess fat from the cheeks.

Lip Augmentation

Lip augmentation increases the size of the lip for patients whose lips have lost volume with age, or who are unhappy with the natural appearance of their lips. Through injectable fillers, autologous grafts or synthetic implants, patients can achieve larger, fuller lips with minimal downtime and little to no side effects. With realistic expectations and good overall health, most patients are satisfied with the results of this procedure.

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and requires only a local anesthetic. If incisions are needed, they are often made in the mouth to conceal any scarring. Injectable fillers produce fuller lips that last for several months, while implants can provide permanent enhancement.

Patients will likely experience mild swelling and discomfort after lip augmentation, but these symptoms usually go away on their own within a few days, at which point patients can enjoy fuller lips and an overall enhanced appearance.