Malar Augmentation
In people who have little development of the malar bone (cheek), an underdeveloped cheekbone is seen which gives an aspect of elongation to the face .....
In people who have little development of the malar bone (cheek), an underdeveloped cheekbone is seen which gives a lengthened appearance to the face. The surgery that corrects this defect consists of the malar augmentation. A silastic implant is used, which can be placed through a small incision in the lower eyelid which highlights the contour of the cheekbone, or through the endobucal route through an incision inside the mouth, in the aspect inner cheek.
The cheekbones or malars are the bones that support the cheeks and help define the contour of the human face and highlight its beauty. However, sometimes the cheekbones are underdeveloped or diminished (malar hypoplasia), so many people undergo surgery to enhance and provide them.
Cheek augmentation, as its name suggests, consists of giving volume to the cheekbones either with solid silicone prostheses, with fat grafts or with autograft of your own bone or lyophilized bone.
How is surgery performed?
Malar augmentation surgery is an outpatient surgery that consists of making a small incision in the internal area of the mouth, or if it is external, in the first fold of the upper eyelid, whereby the surgeon will insert an implant, generally made of silicone, which must conform to the patient's physiognomy.
Another way to perform cheek augmentation surgery is through injections of synthetic substances or fat extracted from the patient.
What does the procedure consist of?
One of the procedures is to remove fat from the patient with liposuction cannulas and place it in the cheekbone area. If fillers are used, these can be applied in the office, it is outpatient, but it has the disadvantage that they only last a maximum of 18 months, requiring reapplication again before two years.
How should I take care of myself before cheek surgery?
To avoid possible complications, especially in the case of implant insertions, it is recommended that you avoid consuming medications that contain salicylic acid (Aspirin) and smoking for at least one month before surgery.
What is the aftercare?
Protect this area from blows or trauma so that the fat or prosthesis does not move, and other care that is indicated for the case.
The patient will be able to return home the same day together with a person to help him / her to move and to carry out the proper care on the first day.
The diet should be soft during the first week.
Put ice packs for 20 minutes, six times a day in the area of the cheekbones.
Avoid direct sunlight throughout the recovery process.
Take the anti-inflammatories and analgesics prescribed by the surgeon.
If the pain is persistent and very bad, contact your plastic surgeon.
You should remain in moderate rest. Do not make physical efforts of any kind.
You will be able to return to your normal activities in a period of 3 to 5 days, without exerting yourself. force or activities that can cause blows to the face.
Oral hygiene should be done with soft brush and with the use of an oral antiseptic. You should rinse after each meal after the third day with a mixture of chlorhexidine mouthwash and water.
Redness in the whites of the eyes or eyelids is normal, it is part of the inflammation that subsides during recovery.
Do not massage the cheekbones, this could cause the implant to dislodge.