Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

See All Reviews
See All Reviews
POSTED UNDER Cheek Augmentation Reviews

27 Y/o Finally Getting Cheeks and Filler in Recessed Chin with Dr. Niamtu in VA

UPDATED FROM Indigo2788
1 year post

One year post-op

WORTH IT$5,850
It's been one year and nine days already since my surgery. I am continually happy with my cheek implants. At this time I am not anticipating a chin implant in the foreseeable future as I still am unconvinced it will be a worthwhile improvement. The tiny bit of numbness/hypersensitivity I've mentioned on the outer part of my right cheek (part of my tear trough, I think) is continuing to improve - slowly. It seems that nerve has just taken longer to heal than the rest. It only ever caused a very negligible amount of discomfort and never caused me any problems.
This is probably overkill but I made a few more B/A collages with the afters taken just a little while ago, all from very unflattering angles. Many people have a hard time seeing the true improvements in cheek implants in pictures; they are better appreciated in 3D (or in-person). Hope these help a bit. As always please feel free to reach out to me anytime with questions or if you need support!

Indigo2788's provider

Joseph Niamtu, III

Joseph Niamtu, III

Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Overall 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

I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Niamtu. I live in southern PA and had to travel 3.5 hours to get here and have no regrets in doing so. I went for my consultation with Dr. Niamtu in December 2015. He was just as impressive and genuine as he seemed in his online presence. I have met approximately 8 or 9 other plastic surgeons in total throughout my cosmetic surgery experiences, and only one has ever come close to his wonderful customer service. He is patient, thorough, and does not rush you, which is almost unheard of in this industry. Dr. Niamtu gave me both his personal cell number and e-mail address after the consultation and was very responsive to my many questions before surgery, as has been his nursing and patient coordinator staff. Dr. Niamtu and his staff were UP FRONT about every single possible complication that can go on, the duration and healing I can expect. Every other plastic surgeon I've seen has only shared information about surgery complications upon my inquiring about it. Additionally, Dr. Niamtu made himself present to me multiple times on the day of surgery where again, many surgeons do not. Dr. Niamtu does a lot of teaching for other doctors and the public (and you can find tons of his publications online!). He also does pro-bono work and has a humongous book in his office filled with hundreds of thank-you cards from patients. He is a person of integrity who loves his job.

Replies (100)

Do you feel the implants had any effect on your under eye area? Like in a positive way, it seems to have "lifted" it by your pics, in an improving way. I'm hoping it does for me as my under eye appears to be slight hollow but I think it's all connected to the flat mid face/submalar area
Yes, absolutely. My under eye area is not perfect but it doesn't look like two deep sad hollows like before. People do not assume I am sad when I'm not nearly as often than they used to. Actually I asked Dr. Niamtu shortly before my surgery if getting undereye fillers (Restalyn specifically) would benefit me - and I was willing to pay for it. He declined, saying he did not think it would be necessary post-op. I really appreciate that he did not take advantage when he easily could have.
I still think your procedure turned out so beautifully!
:D Thanks!
omg you are pretty even without anything done
Thanks. (:
Totally agree! You're gorgeous with or without!
Thank you so much for your review. I'm 12 days post op (for small implants and rhinoplasty) still really scared! I can't really smile my top lip isn't that mobile and still a fair bit of numbness. My surgeon hadn't warned me so have been pretty distressed. You are the only person I've found who has said this too! If you could tell me any more about that side of the recovery I'd really appreciate it.....my smile is the only think I loved about my face before surgery!! Thank you again xx
Hey there. I'm surprised your surgeon was not forthcoming about how your facial muscles would be affected! Have you noticed the smile come back at all, even a tiny bit gradually? If you look at the update I made 3/20/16 (10 days post-op) you can see where my smile was around the same time. Basically I could could smile a bit, but not heartily or to laugh. I remember seeing one of my friends for the first time since before the surgery that day; she kept cracking jokes and my face would feel frozen when I tried to do a hearty laugh! She knew about the surgery so it was more funny than anything. My smile was probably 95% back to normal at about 19 days (you can see that post's pictures too after the previous). This does vary tremendously for most people and I imagine since you had both procedures simultaneously there is a lot more healing for your body to do. The rhinoplasty alone can cause swelling and considerable bruising around the midface (I had rhinoplasty done about 5 years before the cheek implants). Anyway, feel free to message me if you'd like to talk further. I'm sure you're doing just fine, and wish you luck with your continued recovery. (:
Yeah I can do about a half smile so I'm looking forward to the 3 week point to see if I can regain the same as you. I feel exactly like that! I try to laugh along and nothing much moves and I'm still really aware of them in there. Your results are amazing though so I'm just trying to be patient! Thank you for your reply....you have been really reassuring!
You're looking great. :)
Thanks!!
UPDATED FROM Indigo2788
9 months post

9 month pic update and before/after comparison

Just some new pics. I have yet again no significant updates. I think the cheeks just continue improving in tiny ways -- maybe swelling I didn't know I had before around the implants, so my face looks more contoured as time moves on. My cheek implants have added a lot of youthfulness to my face at such a minimal opportunity cost I am continually astounded.

Replies (23)

You're looking awesome. :)
Thanks. :D
Are these implants permanent? I would love to know
Yes! Although they can be removed if necessary.
Hi! You are looking amazing and radiant! What type of implants did you get (silicone?) and around what is the price point (I hope that this is not too nosey)?
Did you get Cheek implants or filler? I can not really so muhc difference... did you do something to your chin? you look good before and after...
Silicone implants. I had filler in my chin but it dissipated quickly (as it always does for me). There is considerable difference but not always so easy to show in pictures.
Yes you´re right... very difficult to see through pictures... maybe if you took some more in profile would it be easier to see the silicon implants... no matter what, you looked very nice before and after :)
I have posted a few photos in profile. Will see if I can get a few more on here.
I want to get cheek and chin implants.. I've had filler in my chin, but it hasn't lasted long! I like the way you look! My profile is very similar to yours.. I hope I see improvements like you! Thank you for sharing! Btw, how much were youe chin implants?
Thanks! I only had filler in the chin for now. I believe the price is around the same for cheek implants with Dr. Niamtu (+-$4500).
UPDATED FROM Indigo2788
5 months post

Just another pic update...

not much has changed. I realized I still have a tiny bit of numbness on the far right of my right eye, near the malar area. It's not something that bothers me in everyday life or I even notice. I think it's just taking longer to heal than the other areas. I am 100% happy with my cheeks now. They filled out my face perfectly. I rarely even think about the fact that they're "not mine". Look and feel completely natural.

Replies (21)

So happy to see another update from you and even pics included! I'm going to have cheek implants next week with Dr Eppley. He is going to do a rhino, and a chin reduction as well. Super excited!!
Whoa good luck! Keep us posted on the journey. Dr. Eppley seems wonderful too!
Be sure to post a review on the cheek implants with Eppley - I am very curious to see how you get on. Good luck!
You look beautiful. Nice seeing an update! :)
Thank you! (:
Could I pm you with some questions?
Sure.
Thanks. Sent you one :)
I'll post reviews on dr eppley after surgery
this would be so fantastic and much appreciated ! <3 Im sure surgery will go smoothly.
Good luck Helricha!!
Hi, thank you for sharing your experience! I will call Dr. Niamtu tomorrow. I always had a little asimetry and made a huge mistake last year to go to Brazil do a rhinoplasty and chin implant. The day before surgery, the doctor said he was going to fix the asimetry by taking some fat out of the left side of my cheek. He ended up taking out both of my cheeks. I can't even explain how depressed I felt and almost lost my job.
Anyways, I think this is exactly what I need! I
Oh wow I am SO sorry! I hope this will be the fix you need. What a journey this must have been for you!
See More Cheek Augmentation Reviews
See All Reviews