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Do You Lose Cheekbone Definition on the Side of the Face After a SMAS Facelift?

asked 1 year ago by jean1962 in kansas city
Latest answer by Julio Garcia, MD
Question viewed 1,212 times
Tags: cheekbones, definition, tightness

I really didn't want to lose the tightness I had on the sides of my face which included a well-defined cheekbone area. Have I lost this definition and the hollowness under the my cheekbones, which I actually liked?

14 answers to Do You Lose Cheekbone Definition on the Side of the Face After a SMAS Facelift?

+2

Facelift Changes

Facelifts do not change the underlying bony skeleton in any way. If your surgery was within the last few months, it is more likely that you have swelling of the cheek fat that will go down over time. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Richard W. Westreich, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheekbone definition

The SMAS lift can at times be secured to the cheek bone and that can make the area look fuller in some cases, especially when the SMAS was imbricated instead of trimmed. It is not the usual though as the surgeon can typically see what technique needs to be done prior to performing the procedure.
Julio Garcia, MD

Las Vegas Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheek contouring after a SMAS facelift

The loss of cheek definition may be due to swelling.  If the loss of definition is still present after 12 months, you may want to consider cheek implants or fillers.
Jeffrey E. Schreiber, MD

Baltimore Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS Facelift and bone structure

A well performed SMAS Facelift actually enhances the facial structures and does not detract from it. The purpose of the Facelift is to lift and restore the lost volume and laxity that aging has caused. The SMAS actually gives you some augmentation that promotes a youthful appearance. Best regards!
Michael Elam, MD

Orange County Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheekbones and facelift

I actually enjoy doing facelifts on women with great cheekbones, because 9 times out of 10, it will be a "home-run".  A well-performed SMAS facelift should certainly not reduce the prominence of your cheekbones.  It should help to give you the classic feminine heart-shaped face, and eliminate jowling, clean up your jaw line, and put the "apple of the cheeks" back where it used to be. All the best,
Thomas Fiala, MD

Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheekbone definitio after SMAS facelift

You do not lose cheekbone definition after a SMAS facelift. In fact, you  may gain augmentation of the area because of rotation of the flap.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheekbone definition after SMAS facelift

On the contrary, a SMAS facelift is designed to move tissue over the cheekbones and accentuate the appearance of the cheekbones.  Not the other way round!  I am not sure what happened so I would recommend reviewing before and after photos of yourself and give the operation a good bit of time (6 months) to heal.
Jay Calvert, MD

Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheekbone prominence should be enhanced with a proper SMAS facelift.

Not sure what happened to you but one of the purposes of a facelift is to move volume from the lower face to the upper face.  This restores a more youthful appearance, enhancing the cheeks at the expensive of the jowls.
Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift results in the cheek area

Some face lifting procedures with fat grafting can actually make your cheeks look too full.  Unfortunately, restoring volume to the aging face is a very hot area in plastic surgery,  In reality, many patients are being overfilled in their cheeks or under their cheekbones.  This can happen with fat grafting during a facelift or from juvederm or restylane injections.  Customization in facial procedures is important.  Overly full faces can look heavy, which... more
Pramit Malhotra, MD

Ann Arbor Plastic Surgeon
+1

SMAS Facelift Elevates Jowl Fat to Cheeks and Cheekbones

A SMAS Facelift should actually accentuate the cheekbones and create the hollow directly below the zygoma that you desire.  It is likely that the SMAS was not used to fully elevate the facial fat to increase the horizontal dimension of your face that makes people look more youthful.  As swelling subsides in mostly skin lift type facelifts, the fullness laterally diminishes creating loss of the definition you desire.  Ask your surgeon about possibly injecting some fat... more
Daniel Shapiro, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon
+1

Post op cheek apearance

You both made a statement and asked a question. The other physicians stated that you would not lose cheek bone definition and definition would be improved. They are absolutely right, but I do not understand your real question about the "hollowness" you lost. How is that possible?
James Apesos, MD

Dayton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift and Cheekbones

A well performed SMAS Facelift should accentuate your mid-facial region and should not detract from it.  The "high-SMAS" technique as described by Connell, allows for elevation of the cheek pad in addition to the jowl area, preventing the "lateral sweep" look.  In the past, a technique known as "buccal fat pad removal" was employed, leading to a gaunter, more hollowed-out appearance.  This technique has largely fallen out of favor and is not... more
Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Cheekbone Definition after SMAS facelift

SMAS facelift surgery, or similar variations, generally do not alter the midface or cheek areas. Face lift surgery does not alter the bone structure. Patients with well-defined cheek bones should maintain them after cosmetic face surgery. Fat injections may also be performed in combination with lower face lift, neck lift, or SMAS surgery. Fat injections would add volume to depressed, hollow areas. Swelling after plastic surgery may change the the appearance of the cheek area, which... more
Houtan Chaboki, MD

Washington DC Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Facelift changes

Facelifts do not change the underlying facial skeleton in any way. If your surgery was within the last few months, then it is likely just swelling in the cheek fat that will go down over time. Hope this helps and best of luck.
Richard W. Westreich, MD

Manhattan Facial Plastic Surgeon

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