Why does it seem like so many doctors are against cheek implants? (Photo)

Cheek implants can add nice volume to the face.  These implants are meant to be pemanent so if you someday want them removed there may be a negative effect.  

In my opinion, cheek implants are best because they are permanent and consistent. I think anyone telling you they always look unnatural is misinformed. However, poor placement may create an unnatural result. The goal is to use the implant to act as an extension of your bony cheek for a natural cheek contour. They look great!All the best...

Augmentation with cheek implants should be relatively simple procedure in experienced hands. It may happen that is it is not a primary solution for some surgeons? You seem to be a candidate for cheek augmentation with implants and/or fat grafts. Duration of fat grafts in cheeks is 3 years if not longer in person of your age. Unfortunately, aging is on- going process and there are no permanent solutions.You should seek a consult with a board certified plastic surgeon with experience in facial implants and discuss your options. Good luck.

You are correct in stating that there is not really a significant issue with cheek implants. Like other things, they were historically overdone in terms of size, creating unattractive results. If done with the appropriate size and shaped, they can be wonderful long term corrective procedures for patients with midface flattening. Asymmetry is really the only concern.

 Cheek implants offer a permanent solution to restore a flat maxilla and a flat cheek profile. Cheek implants are manufactured in a large variety of shapes and sizes, and can be custom carved when needed to match the patient's unique anatomy. Cheek implants are  composed of Silastic, and are placed through an intraoral approach under a brief general anesthesia. For many examples, diagrams and more information, please see the video and the link below

I would respond by saying that "some" doctors don't do cheek implants, but the majority of surgeons do use this technique. However, I'm not aware of any surveys that substantiate my opinion. It is easier to inject fillers but many of my patients request the implants because they are permanent.

Hi, I have performed many cheek augmentations, using dermal fillers or cheek implants, for over 30 years.  From the photos, the cheeks are flat anteriorly (in
the front), the chin is weak, there is excess facial and neck fat along with excess facial skin
evidenced by jowls and nasolabial folds.  These combine to create an elongated, oval shaped face.



Following the beauty principles
outlined in my book on face and body beauty, women look the most feminine,
youthful and attractive with heart shaped faces.  Heart shaped faces have cheeks
that are full and round in the front.  Cheek augmentation using a dermal filler
(I prefer Restylane Lyft) or with cheek implants for a permanent enhancement
will create full, round cheeks anteriorly that will feminize the entire face.



When the chin is weak, this creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger,
the lower face short and the mid face appear top heavy.  Chin
augmentation, using a chin implant, will add projection to the chin creating
harmony and balance to the lower face.  I have found placing a silastic
chin implant through a small, curved, incisions under the chin to be very safe,
quick, highly effective and far less invasive than a sliding genioplasty that
requires bone cuts with placement of screws and metal plates.Jowls are sagging facial tissues
and an indication for some form of a facelift.  The underlying SMAS layer,
of the face, must be dissected, lifted, trimmed and re-sutured.  The excess skin
is then removed and the facelift incisions closed.



My most popular facelift is the
minimally invasive, short incision facelift that has all the benefits of more
invasive facelifts (traditional, mid-face, deep plane and subperiosteal
facelifts) but with these added benefits:



•very small incisions

•minimal tissue dissection = less
bruising and swelling = rapid recovery

•can be performed in 90 minutes or
less, with or without anesthesia

•no incisions within the hair = no
hair loss

•excess fat can be removed

•excess skin removed

•cheeks, chin and jaw line can be
augmented with dermal fillers (I prefer Restylane Lyft) or facial implants

•most patients fly back home to parts
all over the world in as little as 3 days post-op

If a plastic & cosmetic surgeon is not comfortable using cheek implants it could be that they have not experienced sucess with their placement.  IMHO, cheek implants are very safe and highly effective when properly performed.  This is all part of the "art" of plastic & comsetic surgery.Hope this helps.