POSTED UNDER Cheek Implants REVIEWS
Cheek Implants (Terino Malar Shell) Dr. Lee - Beverly Hills, CA
ORIGINAL POST
Hello RealSelf! I finally got around to writing a...
GypsyDollMarch 4, 2014
WORTH IT$5,500
Hello RealSelf!
I finally got around to writing a review. First off, HUGE shout out & thank you to Miss LinaLeigh! I hope I got your name right. Without her review and generous contribution of photos, I wouldn't have been blessed to have found such a great surgeon as Dr. Harrison Lee! I love you, Lina!!!I originally was going to get the exact same procedures as Lina, which I was quoted $15k for the cheek implants, jaw and chin recontouring, as I have a very bony protruding chin and irregular, square jaw from years of TMJ. I was very scared to do all at once, even though Dr. Lee promised a short time under anesthesia (2 hours for everything.) I also didn't want to deal with the shock of looking so different after surgery and being depressed because I'm impatient and want to see results TODAY! Lol.Anyway, the main purpose for the cheeks was due to one side being flat from a car accident. We decided to plump both sides up with Terino malar shell implants, I believe size medium and custom carved to fit the contours of my underlying bone structure.Surgery was literally a 1/2 hour! I was lightly sedated and numbed through my gums just as if I went to the dentist. I woke up a couple of times because my receptors are clean and drugs are intense at first, but get cleared quickly out of my system. Still, felt nothing, as I was numb. Don't get scared! I have been awake (and numb) for some procedures so this was all old hat to me.His staff is awesome, and nurses are great. I did the surgery right in his office in a separate operating room that was sterile and comfortable, with warm blankets. He even played my favorite music for me as I was drifting off. Major brownie points there!I hired a nurse to take me back to the rental home I stayed at for recovery. (I highly recommend booking through airbnb.com so you can recover in the privacy of a residence instead of a busy hotel, if you're traveling, like I was. I flew in from Chicago, btw, the night before surgery.Recovery was comfortable. I wasn't in enough pain to take any painkillers at all. Not even a Tylenol! It just felt sore and what I was feeling was basically from the numbing shots.Swelling peaked the day after surgery and the next day. My surgery was on a Weds. and I flew home Saturday evening. I didn't notice any strange looks at the airport from anyone so I think I looked pretty normal.Incisions were inside the upper lip, way up where the gums meet the quick of the cheek. I had dissolvable sutures that I can still feel at almost 2 weeks post. The incision area is a bit numb and my upper lip is a bit low and tight from residual swelling, but no other issues. I'm barely 2 weeks out and everything looks fabulous! I highly, highly recommend Dr. Lee for any facial work. He is also an oral maxillofacial plastic surgeon so he knows all about bone structure and how everything should fit together, not merely just a plastic surgeon who will do whatever you ask for. He understands the dimensions of the face and wants you to truly look your best, while making you feel comfortable along the way, both physically and mentally.More pix to come!
I finally got around to writing a review. First off, HUGE shout out & thank you to Miss LinaLeigh! I hope I got your name right. Without her review and generous contribution of photos, I wouldn't have been blessed to have found such a great surgeon as Dr. Harrison Lee! I love you, Lina!!!I originally was going to get the exact same procedures as Lina, which I was quoted $15k for the cheek implants, jaw and chin recontouring, as I have a very bony protruding chin and irregular, square jaw from years of TMJ. I was very scared to do all at once, even though Dr. Lee promised a short time under anesthesia (2 hours for everything.) I also didn't want to deal with the shock of looking so different after surgery and being depressed because I'm impatient and want to see results TODAY! Lol.Anyway, the main purpose for the cheeks was due to one side being flat from a car accident. We decided to plump both sides up with Terino malar shell implants, I believe size medium and custom carved to fit the contours of my underlying bone structure.Surgery was literally a 1/2 hour! I was lightly sedated and numbed through my gums just as if I went to the dentist. I woke up a couple of times because my receptors are clean and drugs are intense at first, but get cleared quickly out of my system. Still, felt nothing, as I was numb. Don't get scared! I have been awake (and numb) for some procedures so this was all old hat to me.His staff is awesome, and nurses are great. I did the surgery right in his office in a separate operating room that was sterile and comfortable, with warm blankets. He even played my favorite music for me as I was drifting off. Major brownie points there!I hired a nurse to take me back to the rental home I stayed at for recovery. (I highly recommend booking through airbnb.com so you can recover in the privacy of a residence instead of a busy hotel, if you're traveling, like I was. I flew in from Chicago, btw, the night before surgery.Recovery was comfortable. I wasn't in enough pain to take any painkillers at all. Not even a Tylenol! It just felt sore and what I was feeling was basically from the numbing shots.Swelling peaked the day after surgery and the next day. My surgery was on a Weds. and I flew home Saturday evening. I didn't notice any strange looks at the airport from anyone so I think I looked pretty normal.Incisions were inside the upper lip, way up where the gums meet the quick of the cheek. I had dissolvable sutures that I can still feel at almost 2 weeks post. The incision area is a bit numb and my upper lip is a bit low and tight from residual swelling, but no other issues. I'm barely 2 weeks out and everything looks fabulous! I highly, highly recommend Dr. Lee for any facial work. He is also an oral maxillofacial plastic surgeon so he knows all about bone structure and how everything should fit together, not merely just a plastic surgeon who will do whatever you ask for. He understands the dimensions of the face and wants you to truly look your best, while making you feel comfortable along the way, both physically and mentally.More pix to come!
GypsyDoll's provider
Replies (23)
March 8, 2014
You look beautiful! I'm so happy for you. I wish I had the money to do something but "that's life". I'd like to get cheek implants cause I'm 60 n my cheeks have flattened but it it's $3,500 I can't swing that I think I'll try to get a few injections of the new juvederm that's supposed to be thicker n last at least 2 years. Anyone in new jersey know of Dr.?
March 9, 2014
Thank you, Amiee. It's worth saving up for. However, I think Juvederm is a great idea! This way you can see if you really like it before you plan on something more permanent. If you qualify for Carecredit, you can use that for plastic surgery. When I signed up, I was allowed $3500 and that was with so-so credit!
March 17, 2014
I always forget about the care credit. I was given a form for it for cataract surgery but didn't use it so it's around here somewhere I guess. Do u know if cheek implants are safe for someone with auto immune disease?
March 18, 2014
Amie, I've had Lyme since I was 5 years old. They are very safe and the material used has been safely used for decades.
March 18, 2014
Oh I'm sorry for you G.Doll, that must be exhausting but I'm sure making yourself look better helps you to feel extremely better.
March 18, 2014
Absolutely! It's what keeps me motivated and always moving towards a goal. Modifying my diet has also helped immensely.
March 12, 2014
Thank you so much for the shout out doll! Love you too! And I am so happy you are happy with your results, I can't wait to come back and see your already lovely progression, so much congrats to you!
March 17, 2014
Girl your face looks so FAB! So beautiful before and after but wow, your cheeks and everything is just so put together beautifully! I'm looking into getting my cheeks worked on and this helped a lot! Thank you!
March 17, 2014
You're so kind, DJDavid. Thank you! Yes, everyone in my family has longer, thinner faces, so this is something I've been wanting for a long time. You'll love Dr. Lee. He's an artist and the recovery is nothing. I was in a lot more discomfort after getting my wisdom teeth pulled than with this.
So glad I could help!
March 28, 2014
Hey hunny!! I'm so happy for your results. This sergury scares that crap out of me but I think in right hands you can look amazing. I have been getting juvaderm for volume loss in my cheeks for 3 years now. It doesn't last long and I find it doesn't give me the volume I'm looking for. I have going to meet a cranial facial sergeon in Toronto soon. I have done my research and I was wondering how long your face stayed numb for. I guess I need both malaria and sub marlar implants so I'm worried about the swelling. Is it unbearable?
March 28, 2014
Hi dancer, no. I had the surgery done on a weds afternoon and flew home Saturday afternoon. Nobody knew I had anything done at that point.
UPDATED FROM GypsyDoll
2 months post
6 weeks post op. Professional Photos
GypsyDollApril 7, 2014
I had a photo shoot last week and loved how the cheeks stand out. There is also improvement in the nasolabial folds. These photos are 6 weeks post op.
Replies (18)
April 9, 2014
You're so beautiful! I'm getting cheek implants soon as well, I have a round/oval shaped face(its not as narrow as yours, unfortunately) and I also have high cheekbones that are completely flat. It makes me look older even though I'm young. Did people see a difference/ask you you had cheek implants? That's what I'm most worried about.
April 13, 2014
Hi arabianprincess! No, not one person has asked or was able to notice. Those who I've told said it looks totally natural and they would never guess. This was even just a few days after surgery too.
April 13, 2014
Hello Gipsydoll!my compliments to you.you look great!!!!i had cheek implants surgery 1.04 in germany,here such surgery really unusual..all is perfekt at the moment,but...left side of upper lip is still numb.not absolutely numb,but its feels not the same like right side((.whats is your experience with numbness?
April 16, 2014
Hi Michel,
I still do have a little numbness way up at the gum line, where the incisions are. I am nearing 2 months post op and it's starting to feel like pins & needles....like when a part of your body falls asleep or goes numb, then regains feeling. I take it as a sign the feeling is on its way back.
I would even say to wait 6 months for all feeling to come back. It should at least feel better than the first couple of months. Good luck!
April 12, 2014
hi thank you for the review you look great. Did your doctor mention anything about the risks of infection or your face rejecting the implants? And are they easy to remove? If you had to remove them would they leave behind sagging?
April 13, 2014
Hi!
Yes, there is always a risk of infection with any surgery, but if you follow post op instruction, take your antibiotics, etc. You won't have issue. The material is solid silicone and not porous so it's safe, easy to remove. There shouldn't be sagging after removal.
April 16, 2014
Hi there, thanks for sharing your experience. You look gorgeous.
In one of the pictures, you had bandage on your cheeks. Is that where the implants are positioned? If so, is this procedure also called paranasal implant? I've read a lot about malar, sub-malar, and paranasal implants, but still not clear on the differences, and the exact position of each.
Thanks!
April 22, 2014
Hello,
The tapes were to keep the swelling controlled and away from the implants. Para nasal implants are an entirely different species from what I know. Your best bet would be to pose a question to the Drs of RealSelf to get a better understanding of the differences.
April 17, 2014
You look so beautiful!
I've been thinking of getting cheek implants for awhile either that or filler. I'm a little scared that implants may change or move as one ages. Did you ever talk to your doctor about the longevity of implants?
Also your nose is absolutely perfect, did you have it done? If you did would you mind sharing who you went to? I'm looking for a revision.
Thanks!
April 22, 2014
Hi there,
Thank you. :) The implants are solid silicone, so permanent unless I want them changed in the future for a different size, shape or placement.
Thank you for the compliment on my nose. I have had it reset from 2 breaks in the past, but no "nose job" in the traditional sense. The Drs who reset it were not plastic surgeons, so I am not a good source of info in that arena.
There is a wealth of info here on revision rhinoplasty. I'm sure you'll find someone who can point you in the right direction.
April 21, 2014
Hi you look gorgeous! How much were the cheek implants by themselves? Because I'm only interested in cheek implants and I'd have to fly in from tx.
May 12, 2014
One more question please, would you say your nasal labial folds were improved by a lot or a little?? Moderate improval? Thank you :)
May 17, 2014
Hi deebee,
I still have some nasolabial folds but it's much been improved. The implants lift and fill the saggy skin that cause the folds and now that area is pretty smoothed out :)
Replies (27)