Cheek Enhancements
Conveniently located to serve the areas of San Diego, CA
Cheek enhancement surgery is a set of procedures designed to refine the contour and volume of the cheeks and midface. As we age, the cheeks can start to deflate and even sag, diminishing appearance and self-esteem. Other patients have naturally full cheeks that do not seem to be affected by dieting or exercise. Cheek enhancement procedures can effectively address these concerns with available options to reduce buccal fat, tighten the skin, and enhance fullness using implants or fat grafting.
Led by Dr. John T. Alexander II, Alexander Cosmetic Surgery blends cutting-edge technology with attentive patient care to help each individual achieve their desired appearance. With more than 20 years of experience and more than 10,000 procedures performed, Dr. Alexander is one of San Diego’s leading surgeons.
To schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Alexander, please contact us online or call (858) 455-7557.
Contents
Before and After Photos
About Cheek Enhancements
Cheek enhancement procedures can augment and alter the volume and contours of the cheeks to improve facial appearance and balance. Dr. Alexander can use a variety of different surgical techniques to sculpt a patient’s face, whether they are interested in a subtle enhancement or transformative augmentation. We offer cheek implants, fat transfer, cheeklifts, and buccal fat reduction to help patients achieve the contoured, attractive facial balance they desire.
Benefits
Cheek enhancement provides numerous advantages, including:
- Rejuvenated Appearance: Restoring volume to the cheeks can lead to a more youthful-looking appearance.
- Facial Contouring: Improved cheekbone definition can contribute to one’s facial symmetry, enhancing overall appearance.
- Balanced Proportions: Cheek enhancement can create more harmony between various facial features. This can help the face appear more cohesive and proportionate.
- Customizable Treatment Options: Different techniques allow Dr. Alexander to personalize treatments specifically for each patient and their anatomy.
- Long-Lasting Outcomes: Each of our procedures provides long-lasting results, ranging from several years to a lifetime.
- Minimally Visible Scarring: Dr. Alexander takes great care in placing incisions in inconspicuous locations. Several of our options include intraoral incisions, which means there is no external scarring at all.
Candidates
Suitable candidates for cheek enhancement procedures include those interested in enhancing or augmenting the appearance, fullness, and shape of their cheeks.
All candidates should be in good overall health without any underlying conditions that may impact their results or recovery. Patients should have realistic expectations about the outcome of the procedure, as well as specific goals in mind. Dr. Alexander will help each patient determine which cheek enhancement procedure is best for them during their personal consultation.
Personal Consultation
Those interested in undergoing cheek enhancement will need to attend a personal consultation at our San Diego office. At this appointment, Dr. Alexander will take the time to get to know each patient on a more personal level. Patients are encouraged to converse openly about their medical history, prescriptions, areas of concern, and treatment goals. A facial evaluation may also be conducted, and measurements and photos may be taken for digital imaging. Using the gathered information, Dr. Alexander will help each patient determine which procedure is best for their goals and create their personalized treatment plan. He will discuss each detail of their procedure with them and answer any questions, ensuring each patient feels informed, prepared, and empowered about their cheek enhancement.
To schedule your personal consultation, please contact us online or call (858) 455-7557.
Preparation
Preparing for cheek enhancement can vary depending on the procedure being performed. After your consultation, Dr. Alexander or another member of his team will provide you with a set of personalized instructions.
Patients will need to take time away from work and other commitments to focus on healing, and any required prescriptions should be picked up ahead of time. Patients may need to temporarily discontinue using certain medications or supplements with blood-thinning properties. Patients will also need to stop smoking several weeks before the procedure, and alcohol should be avoided several days before and after the procedure.
During the pre-operative appointment, our team will ensure each patient is healthy and prepared for their procedure. This appointment typically takes place one to two weeks before surgery. Patients can expect to receive a medical evaluation or undergo lab testing, and we will discuss anesthesia options.
Procedure
Upon arrival, each patient will be taken to a private room where their skin will be prepared for surgery. Anesthesia is then administered to keep you comfortable. Depending on the procedure performed, either local anesthesia, intravenous (IV) sedation, or general anesthesia will be administered. We will recommend the best option for the type of treatment being performed, the desired outcome, your personal comfort preferences, and the complexity of the procedure.
Cheek Implants
The cheek implant procedure begins with Dr. Alexander carefully placing incisions inside the mouth. These incisions are made in the soft tissue that sits over the cheekbone, where the implant will be placed. Dr. Alexander will create a pocket for the implant to rest in before positioning the implant inside. There are no sutures needed to keep the implant in place, as the pocket is created to be the exact size of the implant. This means that it will not shift in place or rotate. Once completed, the incisions inside the mouth’s soft tissue will be carefully closed, and a light dressing will be placed over the face. Cheek implant procedures typically take 60-90 minutes to complete and leave no external scars. (1)
Cheek Fat Transfer
Fat transfer is a procedure that uses liposuction techniques to transfer fat from one area of the body to another. This enhancement method takes approximately 30 minutes to perform. Dr. Alexander first administers a tumescent fluid into the flanks, abdomen, or another area with excess fat. This solution is designed to help minimize bleeding, enhance comfort, and swell fat cells. He will use a cannula to gently suction the fat out before it is processed and prepared for reinjection. Using the syringe, Dr. Alexander will carefully reinject the fat into the cheeks.
Cheek Lifts/Midface Lifts
A cheeklift or midface lift takes approximately 60 minutes to complete. Dr. Alexander will begin by placing an incision near the hairline at the temples that extends downward towards the top of the ears. If needed, he may also place incisions within the temporal hairline.
Dr. Alexander will separate the skin from the underlying tissue and tighten the cheek tissue. Dr. Alexander uses a ‘purse string’ or plication sutures to provide a more natural-looking appearance in the midface as tissue is tightened. Once the corrections have been made, the skin will be redraped on your new facial sculpt. The excess skin is then trimmed away before incisions are closed with removable sutures, leaving the patient with a more youthful appearance. (2)
Buccal Fat Pad Reduction
The buccal fat pads are deposits of fat that are located between the cheeks and the jaw. Reducing them can create a slimmer, leaner facial appearance, more pronounced cheekbones, and a sharper jawline. This procedure takes approximately 30-60 minutes to perform. Dr. Alexander creates incisions on the insides of the cheeks through your mouth, leaving no visible external scarring. (3) Occasionally, extra fat is removed from the cheeks through liposuction. Once both cheeks are complete, he will close the incisions using absorbable sutures.
Cost of Cheek Enhancements in San Diego
During each consultation, Dr. Alexander will perform an evaluation that will allow us to determine the best surgical strategies and methods to help each individual achieve their goals. A quote will be provided after the consultation, once your procedure plan is established. Costs include:
- Surgeon’s Fee
- Operating Room and Supplies
- Implant Costs
- Anesthesia Fees
- Prescriptions for Medication
- Medical Tests
We also offer various financing options to make treatments more accessible.
To learn more about the cost of your procedure, please schedule a personal consultation by contacting us online or calling (858) 455-7557.
FAQ
What are cheek implants made of?
Cheek implants are commonly made of biocompatible materials such as silicone, porous polyethylene (Medpor), or expanded PTFE (Gore-Tex).
What can I expect from recovering after a cheek enhancement?
Recovery varies based on the procedure, but most patients can return to work within one to two weeks. During this time, it is common to expect some swelling and bruising.
How long will the results of my procedure last?
The longevity of results can vary depending on the type of treatment being received; however, each cheek enhancement procedure offers long-lasting results that may be seen for years.
Who is an ideal candidate for cheek enhancement?
Patients looking to improve their facial volume and definition, and who are in good health with realistic expectations, make the best candidates.
Can I combine my cheek enhancement with another procedure?
Yes, patients are more than welcome to combine their procedure with another for more comprehensive results.
References
- Sharma EM, Smith KD. Facial Implants. Nih.gov. Published February 26, 2024. Accessed June 10, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK603755/#article-156219.s5
- Bellity P, Bellity J. Facial Rejuvenation Enhancing Cheek Lift. Archives of Plastic Surgery. 2017;44(6):559-563. doi:https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2016.01858
- Davis B, Serra M. Buccal Fat Pad Reduction. PubMed. Published 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK576413/