Cheek Implants

Cheek implants are also known as facial implants.  Facial implants are designed to give your face a more young and youthful look.  Most people want stronger looking cheeks or a chin and often resort to facial implants to get the desired look they are seeking.  Some people feel that their face is imbalanced and by adjusting the chin or cheek bones they can achieve the balance they need. 

This page is dedicated to explain how facial implants really work and how much they cost the average plastic surgery consumer.

 Many people want to know what the implants are made of.  There are two main types of implants used for chin, cheeks, and brows.  The main types are silicon and porex.  Silicon implants have been used for a long time and have a very long track record.  Unlike breast implants made of silicon, cheek implants are solid and do not leak.  Porex implants are porous just like a sponge, but are solid to the human touch.  Each implant has its ups and downs and a consultation should be sought after with a doctor to find out which ones will work the best for your face.

Implants come in different sizes and shapes, just like breast implants.  These different sizes help to achieve different results.  For example, when doing a chin implant a wider chin implant will give the face a more angular look to the whole face.

 The technique of adding facial implants is not too hard to understand or comprehend.  The surgeon will make a small incision near where the implant will be put in.  The incision is usually made in a crease or inside the mouth to hide scarring from the incision.  A pocket is then made in the facial tissue where the implant is then inserted and the incision is then stitched up. 

Once the incision is bandaged or taped up, the stitches are usually removed within 5-10 days of the surgery.  Often times these implants are done at the same time a face lift surgery procedure is being performed.

 The recovery time for a surgery like this differs from patient to patient, but is not bad at all.  Most people are back at work and doing their normal activities within a week.  The surgery is usually an outpatient procedure and is done quickly.  Results are also permanent and add a lot of contouring to the face to make it look very pleasing looking.

Risks:

• As with any surgery, infection can occur and in intense infection situation, the implants may have to be removed.
• There is a rare possibility that the implants can shift and throw off the alignment of the look of your face.  A second surgery might have to take place to re-align the implants.
• Bruising and swelling can be severe but is very rare.  Most swelling and bruising lasts 1-2 days.

 The average cost for a facial implant procedure includes anasthesia fees, facility and clinic fees, and the surgeon's fees.  The total fees for implants can range from $2,000 all the way up to $5,000 or more for two or more implants.

If the procedure is a medical necessity your insurance may cover part of the costs.  Always make sure to ask your plastic surgeon about filing the costs with your insurance company and also ask about monthly payment options.