It’s hard to think of something that has more impact on your confidence than your facial appearance. When we are self-conscious about something, it becomes a focal point in our everyday exchanges. If you feel like your face is not as well-structured as you would like, it can be challenging to overcome that insecurity because of how prominent the face is.
This brings many people to consider facial implants, a tried and true solution to problematic facial contouring. But reliable information about facial implants is hard to find, and many people who are considering facial implants have a lot of the same questions. So, to help you understand exactly what you need to know about having facial implant surgery, we answered a list of the most common questions we hear from our patients.
1. What Are Facial and Cheek Implants?
Facial implants are formed from solid materials that are shaped and inserted into the facial structure of a patient to improve a specific aesthetic quality. The three most common facial implants are chin, jaw, and cheeks. Depending on your aesthetic goals, one or more of these implants can be used to help improve the contours of your face.
2. How Long Do Facial Implants Last?
Facial implants are usually permanent. The material they are made from is highly compatible with human tissue, so the likelihood of rejection is relatively small. As long as no trauma occurs to the face, facial implant surgery will usually only need to be performed once to provide a lifetime of aesthetic improvement.
Keep in mind that no surgery can prevent signs of aging from occurring, so if you eventually develop a significant amount of skin ptosis, it may be necessary to have a facelift to restore the full effect of your facial implants.
3. Are Cheek Implants Permanent?
As one of the most popular facial implant options, many people wonder how long cheek implants last. They are often surprised to find that they are not only long-lasting but typically permanent. Cheek implants specifically do not tend to need revision from trauma either, since the area they are inserted is not as vulnerable as the jaw or chin.
4. Should I Choose Cheek Fillers Instead?
Minimally invasive injectable treatments are becoming increasingly popular because they offer results without the need for extensive surgery or recovery times. But what many individuals don’t consider is the upkeep that injectables like cheek fillers require. Regardless of what kind of augmentation you have with injectables, you will need to follow up at least twice every year to maintain ideal results.
This is why facial implants have remained popular for people looking for long-term solutions. It may take a bit more investment upfront, but in the long run, it will cost you less time and money than going the filler route.
Cheek fillers offer the unique advantage of “trying out” your results for a couple of months to ensure you like the improvements. So, for patients who are on the fence about changing the shape of their face, fillers may be an excellent way to have a trial run before you opt for the more permanent cheek implant procedure.
5. How Long Do Cheek Fillers Last?
Cheek fillers last anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the option you decide to go with and how your body reacts to the injectable. The results are only temporary because, eventually, the chemicals used to improve your appearance will be dissolved into the skin tissue.
This means that you will also need to pay for injectable fillers more than once. If your treatment comes out to be about $2,000 for injectable fillers, and you need to have the treatment done once a year, you could be in for a pretty hefty financial investment within a few years.
6. How Are Cheek Implants Placed?
In order to hide any visible scarring, cheek (and most other facial) implants are often placed through incisions made in the patient’s mouth. This gives cheek implants an advantage over some facial procedures that require topical incisions and provide similar improvement levels.
7. Are Cheek Implants Safe?
Cheek implants are considered extremely safe since they are manufactured from material that is highly compatible with the human body. Additionally, when you are in the hands of a trained professional like Dr. Freeman, the procedure is very routine and practiced, drastically reducing the likelihood that a surgical complication will develop.
Dr. Freeman will also provide you with instructions to follow before your surgery date that will improve the quality of your results and make your procedure as safe as possible.
8. What Types of Cheek Implants Are Available?
There is a range of cheek implant shapes and styles that are available to you. After scheduling your consultation, Dr. Freeman will listen to your aesthetic goals and examine your appearance to determine which implants are best for your unique conditions. He will take his time explaining why he believes this specific treatment plan is best, and he is happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about the procedure.
The goal is to make you feel as comfortable and informed as possible when you leave the consultation, so you feel confident when deciding whether to move forward with facial implant surgery.
9. What Is Cheek Implant Recovery Like?
Immediately after your facial implant procedure, you can expect to have some mild pain or discomfort from the incisions. These symptoms can be addressed with over-the-counter or prescription medications when necessary. You may also notice that your range of facial movement is temporarily reduced.
The bulk of the pain and discomfort will subside within a few days, but it can take several months for the final results of the cheek implant surgery to become finalized since swelling often persists through this time. You may need to take a few days off immediately following the procedure, but generally, patients are back to their routines within a week or so.
10. Where Can I Learn More About Facial Implants?
If you are ready to get started with your facial implants, or if you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Freeman to see how facial implants can help you, give our office a call at (281) 599-9445 or fill out our online contact form. We are looking forward to being your resource and guide through this entire process.