Cheekbone Reduction: What You Need to Know

Pros

• Slimming cheekbones can give your face a softer, more balanced bone structure.
• In some cultures, the soft, youthful, feminine facial appearance created by cheekbone reduction is considered more beautiful.  

Cons

• It’s usually performed under general anesthesia, which can be risky and expensive. 
• The surgery can take hours, especially if your bones are being cut and repositioned. 
• Recovery time can be significant and typically includes overnight hospitalization.
• You may risk future sagging in the cheekbone area as your face ages.

• Average Cost:
• $7,300

The cost of your cheekbone reduction surgery will depend on the complexity of your procedure, your surgeon's level of experience, and their practice location. 

Because it’s elective plastic surgery, this procedure isn't covered by health insurance plans.

Prior to surgery, your plastic surgeon will perform an X-ray to accurately determine the size, shape, and location of your facial bones. 

On the day of surgery, you will be placed under general anesthesia. Your surgeon will then make an intraoral incision (inside the mouth), as well as incisions in the skin below the cheekbone and along the hairline, in front of both ears. 

Depending on the desired outcome, your surgeon may file or shave the bone or break and reposition it. Excess bone may be removed. 

For more involved procedures that yield more dramatic results, screws may be required. “Cheekbone reduction of any significance is done by osteotomies [cutting the bone], plates, and screws,” says Dr. Barry Eppley, a plastic surgeon in Carmel, Indiana, in a RealSelf Q&A.

A complementary procedure, like buccal fat removal (which removes fat in the cheek hollows) or a facelift (to offset any sagging or droopy cheeks due to excess skin), may also be performed to create the desired facial contour. 

After surgery, patients are often required to stay in hospital care for overnight monitoring. Arrange to have someone you trust to take you home when you’re ready.

RealSelf Tip: Each surgeon has their own cheekbone reduction techniques and aesthetic preferences, which is why it’s crucial to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in craniofacial procedures and make sure they understand your goals.

Most patients need one to two weeks of downtime. The total recovery time depends largely on the complexity of the procedure, so your surgeon can give you a more accurate estimate based on their surgical plan.

You can expect post-surgery side effects like swelling and bruising, as well as some discomfort. Talk with your provider about whether you'll need a prescription for pain medication or can rely on over-the-counter pain relievers.

For the first few days, you’ll wear a compression bandage over the incision site at all times (or as directed by your doctor). Your sutures should come out at a follow-up appointment after one week. 

It may be two to three months before the swelling subsides enough that you can see the final results.