Cheek Implants

Facial fullness can diminish over time, causing the skin to sag and the face to lose definition. Cheek implants may be a way to restore a healthy shape to the face in cases like this, especially if a facelift is not a viable option.

Benefits of cheek augmentation may include the following:

  • Produce a better balance or proportion to facial features
  • Enhance facial symmetry
  • Enhance the overall profile of the face.
  • Make the face appear livelier and more pronounced


Cheek implants may offer elegant softness or add angular qualities to the face. The key in considering cheek implants is to have a goal in mind for the qualities you would like your face to bear, and then discuss options in a thorough consultation with Dr. Maddali.

If you’re not ready for surgery just yet, fillers like Radiesse are a long lasting non-surgical option that may be used to “test drive” how your face looks with additional volume.

How are cheek implants placed?

Cheek implant surgery involves a small incision, most commonly made behind the soft tissue of the cheek on the inside of the mouth. A pocket is then created to hold the implant and it is carefully stitched into place.

Most cheek implants are made of solid silicone and when in place, appear as part of the natural bone structure. The implants come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes.

Because cheek implants can vastly alter your appearance, it is very important to be sure of what you want before surgery. Cheek implants can change your appearance in many different ways, so it is important to have a clear sense of the features you desire, be open to limitations, and communicate well with Dr. Maddali.

Cheek implant surgery is reversible, and the implants may always be removed. This is important not only for peace of mind, but also because there is a small chance that the body could reject it, as with any internal prosthetic.

How long is recovery from cheek implant surgery?

A complication-free recovery begins before surgery, by discontinuing the use of alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol can thin the blood, complicating the body’s healing process, and tobacco use affects the healing of delicate structures and reattached blood vessels.

After surgery, a dressing will be applied to minimize swelling and discomfort. For the first few days especially, your ability to move the mouth may be limited. As a result, a liquid diet is generally prescribed. Dr. Maddali will also prescribe a pain medication to alleviate any pain or discomfort.

Most of the swelling should be gone after about six weeks, though it may take longer for your features to fully adjust to the implants.

To learn more about cheek implant surgery in San Francisco, contact the plastic surgery office of Sirish Maddali MD.