Prior to surgery, your plastic surgeon will perform an X-ray to accurately determine the size, shape, and location of your facial bones.Â
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.Â
Depending on the desired outcome, your surgeon may file or shave the bone or break and reposition it. Excess bone may be removed.Â
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.Â
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.