Cheek Augmentation: Stories

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My Surgery Experience with Dr. Harrison Lee. - Beverly Hills, CA

  • posted 7 months ago
  • updated 2 months ago

Originally I had messaged Dr. Alter to get a price...

Originally I had messaged Dr. Alter to get a price quote for facial surgery, I had seen him on Dr. 90210 and was please with the before and afters. I was directed by Dr. Alter to Dr. Harrison Lee (his colleague, also appeared on Dr. 90210) Dr. Lee gave me a price quote and surgeries he thought I would have benefited from. The surgery plan was for a sub nasal lip lift, cheek implants, jaw and chin reconstruction and submental liposuction (between chin and neck). His office staff were awesome and so wonderfully accommodating.

I showed up for my surgery and went through the whole procedure with flying colors, anesthesia was a breeze and transportation home was met with no problems. All proper medications were taken as well Arnica Montana and Bromelain (started two days before surgery). No bruising whatsoever and some swelling, this is always to be expected from these surgeries.

Ever since my surgery, I have been extremely happy with how I look and I am able to get through my day, Dr. Lee and all the staff involved with my surgery did so well, I am so happy and look forward to the future. I recommend Dr. Lee, he really is a great doctor and I will only allow him to work on any cosmetic needs I may have in the future.

19,000 is the ball park of how much I paid, 19,000...

19,000 is the ball park of how much I paid, 19,000 is not for the individual cheek implants but for the Sub nasal lip lift, cheek implants, jaw and chin remodeling and sub mental lipo suction

For those of you who asked, I added three pictures...

For those of you who asked, I added three pictures at the 6 month mark and two at the side. Thanks again for all your kind words, I really do appreciate all of it :)
Great review?

My Doctor: Harrison H. Lee, MD, DMD

My rating:

Doctor's Bedside Manner
Answered My Questions
After Care Follow-Up
Time Spent With Me
Phone or Email Responsiveness
Staff Professionalism & Courtesy
Payment Process
Wait Times

My expectations were greatly exceeded

Comments (65)

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smith101010 10 May 2013
In picture 1 you look like a pretty 30ish girl. In the ensuing pics you look like a very pretty 20s girl: if that's what you wanted, that's what you got! I do like the result. I do have a question. I had a procedure - I know swelling takes time, etc. After 10 days I am barely able to lick my upper lips - so they're chapped a lot. Percentage wise would you say at 2 weeks swelling is half way gone? I have an overbite in the mirror so I'm wondering how far away I am from getting substantially closer to my final result. I can look down and see my mew cheeks at the bottom of my visual field: the left side is more swollen than the right for some reason. It feels so odd touching my face - like little bubbles stick in there. I guess I'm curious if you thought the implants were to big for your face at the beginning and if so when that subsided?
libbysoami3 10 May 2013
Hi, you look stunning! truly a work of art :) I just got rhinoplasty and cheek implants put in yesterday and I am experiencing some asymmetrical swelling, did you go through anything similar to this? Additionally, as far as the cheek implants are concerned, how fast did the swelling reduce and were you put on an antibiotic as a precautionary measure? Again you look wonderful!
KatherineM 5 May 2013
Hi Lina, You look beautiful! Each photo looks better than the last. Thank you for sharing. Did you notice any changes in your ability to make facial expressions? I've heard people complain about not being able to smile as wide after cheek implants.
linaleigh 5 May 2013
Hi Katherine thank you for the compliments :) nothing changed as far as my ability to do any facial expression with the cheek implants, my chin work was different though, I was unable to suck my face in to do the fish lip face expression, I could do it but it hurt for a while.
GypsyDoll 9 Apr 2013
You're gorgeous! The entirety of the procedures combined gave you a more classic and exotic look. If I never saw the befores, I never would have guessed you had any of that work done. It does NOT look overdone to me, even with swelling. I would have thought you were blessed/ born lucky. ;) I'm guessing he used a combined malar shell instead of just malars, or you would only get side projection and high cheekbones instead of the beautiful apples you have. Kudos to the surgeon and kudos to you for doing your homework! I'm contemplating the same cheek work. See my photos and let me know your opinion. Would you say by now your cheeks look similar to the model I posted?
linaleigh 17 Apr 2013
I would say very similar actually, I think the procedure would benefit you greatly.
GypsyDoll 17 Apr 2013
Thank you so much. I will be setting up a consult with Dr. Lee later in the year. Thanks for your feedback and photos!
linaleigh 21 Apr 2013
You are welcome :) let me know how the process goes! Warm wishes! :)
candee82 28 Mar 2013
I'm confused as to why your brow looks much more lifted now? You haven't spoken of a brow lift. Am I just hallucinating?
linaleigh 29 Mar 2013
not sure, had nothing done there :) maybe the different hair style?
DarlaAllen 23 Mar 2013
Hi linaleigh, I know you had a medium malar implant done but do you know what the size was in (mm)? I also wanted to know if you remember the style of the malar implant.. I picked out a 3mm malar implant but I'm worried its not going to be big enough.. Pls get back to me ASAP cuz my surgery date is coming up SOON... I really want to make sure I picked out an implant that will give me a prominent chiseled cheek look. Thanx in advance!
linaleigh 23 Mar 2013
Hi Darla, I do not know exact ratio. I told my doctor what I expected and left it up to him to choose my implant which worked out to my liking. Again, it does not matter what size I chose, my facial construction differs from yours so you may have a completely different outcome from my exact implant size. My advice would be to get your doctors opinion.
vanillabean 23 Mar 2013
oh and how much was just the implants alone?
linaleigh 23 Mar 2013
Sorry I don't, I just got an estimated price for all operations, I didn't ask for an individual breakdown
vanillabean 23 Mar 2013
Hey I really hope you see this, as I noticed that all other messages are from early on in the year. What was the total costs, including any hidden or unknown fee, and the surgeons fee? Btw very pretty and thank you for sharing with us your experience =)
linaleigh 23 Mar 2013
For all procedures, jaw and chin, cheek implants, lip lift and lippo in the next it came to a near 19 grand. This includes hospital fees.
DarlaAllen 14 Mar 2013

I got my surgery date it's April the 1st but I'm still not sure about using screws or not to keep the implant down my doctor says he doesn't do it that way but I'm worried about the implant shifting. What did you to screws? Suture? I'm thinking about using silicone implants.

DarlaAllen 5 Mar 2013
Can you tell me what the pricing was on just the cheek implants.. I'm going in circles trying to find a doctor out by where I live but it's literally like pulling teeth to get any doctor to do this procedure. I keep hearing they just don't do it anymore. I live out by Redlands Ca. What stuns me is the book the consultation with me knowing what i want then when I get there I get a crazy judgmental looks from the doctors. I've actually been told it looks unnatural and that's why they don't do it and it must be a Beverly Hills thing fake is real big out there! This was suppose to be an exciting time for me and I can't believe what a mission this has turned out to be. I'm thinking of I might just have to find a doctor in Beverly Hills then but am only willing to spend $6,500 on the entire procedure since I don't plan on charging it I'd rather pay cash up front. So please get back to me on the pricing. Thanx Doll
linaleigh 5 Mar 2013
Hey Darla, I wish I could tell you an exact amount, but I am not sure because I had multiple surgeries and therefor the medical costs might have been a little more, what you can do is message Dr. Lee on his site or call them. His website is http://www.drharrisonlee.com you would be better going in, however, I am pretty sure he would be able to tell you more if you submit pictures of yourself to him. It was really scary for me at first because I was putting my aesthetic out there to be judged, but I never got that feeling from Dr. Lee. Keep a positive attitude through the whole process and you will be fine. I can say honestly that my results looked pretty fake into the first few months, but patience was a huge part of my recovery as well.
DarlaAllen 28 Feb 2013
Wasn't sure if you received my last message so I'm posting again.. First I wanna say that I love your cheek implants..I'm going to my consultation this Monday and wanted to ask you a few things cuz I love how yours turned out. My problem is mid face deficiency I practically have no cheeks at all I also have a baby face or as some people call it "chipmunk cheeks" like heavy on the bottom part of my cheeks. So I was thinking of doing combination malar/submalar to get a predominant cheek from the front and the sides but I'm worried if the submalar would make my cheeks look even chubbier. I want to have a heart shaped face bigger at the top (my cheeks) and slimmer going down towards my chin so will just medium size malar implants do the job? Thanx in advance for the reply back. Xoxo
linaleigh 1 Mar 2013
Hi Darla, I wish I could answer this question properly, I have done my homework in the subject quite extensively, but unfortunately the only person that could tell you is the surgeon. I recommend going in with pictures of a celebrity or whomever you choose with facial structure similar to what you desire. Also, from my experience a doctor will have an idea of what size to use but won't actually know until he or she is actually inside your face fitting in the most viable cheek implant for the most desired shape.
libbysoami3 24 Feb 2013
Did the doctor you went to mention how these implants would fair with the aging process?
linaleigh 1 Mar 2013
That type of information would be pure speculation because everyone ages differently and everyone is going to have different results over time, so I didn't ask.
Leana83201 24 Feb 2013
Hi! You look great, I love your new cheeks, they look amazing! im hoping to get cheek implants soon. Im scared il get a size thats not big enough and i wont get the prominent cheeks iv always wanted, You said you had one of the medium sizes, do you no what exact size they were?
linaleigh 1 Mar 2013
Hi there Leana and thank you for the compliment, I wish I could name a size and be specific, but going to a doctor and saying "I want a medium size blah blah" isn't going to come with the same results that I have had. You could have a totally different skeletal structure or collagen structure than I do. All you can do is give the surgeon a very detailed description of what you like and he or she will know what would work for you before and sometimes during the procedure.

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