What's the difference between large & med submalar cheek implant? What kind of healing can be expected? (Photo)

Question

I had medium submalar cheek implants done about four weeks ago and while I see an improvement, as the swelling dissolved they are not as large as I would have liked. On the other hand I do not know how much bigger would yield a "chipmunk" or unnatural look. Would a size large be modestly or significantly bigger? At what point after the initial surgery can an implant exchange be done and what kind of healing can be expected? I am attaching a photo for reference. Thank you!

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

If you consider your cheeks to be still small one size larger implants may give you desired improvement. It may take 3-6 months for swelling to subside and for you to see exact result of augmentation. After that time implants could be exchanged. Recovery should be the same as after first surgery. Fat graft augmentation on top of current implants is another option and works well in patient of your age. Discuss these options with your plastic surgeon. Good luck.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Since you had your medium sized submalar implants put in 1 month ago, I would recommend waiting a couple of more months to see how the implants appear after a bit more healing.  While your medium implants could be replaced with the large implants, it is possible that this could give you too much volume.  From the picture you posted, in my opinion, your cheeks appear fairly full and making them fuller may look a little unnatural.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many Cheek Augmentations, using dermal fillers, or cheek implants over the past 30 years.  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.   Based on my experience using cheek implants, for over 30 years, Medium sized malar/submalar cheek implants are typically too narrow (vertical dimension) to create a heart-shaped face in women which require a size large.  This applies to women about 5 foot 2 inches to about 6 foot tall.  Smaller women might be able to use a medium as their faces are smaller overall and taller women might require an extra large since they have larger faces.    Basically and in my humble opinion, male cheeks should be angular creating a chiseled, handsome face.  Narrow cheek implants (medium size) will create that look.  Women, on the other hand, should have large sized implants to create soft, round cheeks in the front that will feminize the face as it creates a heart-shape overall.  Size and thickness (projection in mm's) are the two variables to create a beautifully shaped cheek.  Hope this helps.

What's the difference between large & med submalar cheek implant? What kind of healing can be expected? (Photo)

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Cheek Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What's the difference between large & med submalar cheek implant? What kind of healing can be expected? (Photo)

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Cheek Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.