What are the risks of cheek augmentation?

The decision to have cheek augmentation is extremely personal. You'll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications of cheek augmentation are acceptable.

Are cheek implants safe?

Your plastic surgeon and/or staff will explain in detail the risks associated with surgery. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedures you will undergo and any risks or potential complications.

The possible risks of cheek augmentation include, but are not limited to:

• Anesthesia risks
• Asymmetry
• Bleeding
• Blindness (rare complication of fat transfer)
• Cheek implant displacement
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
• Fatty cysts
• Fatty tissue found deep in the skin might die (fat necrosis)
• Fluid accumulation (seroma)
• Hematoma
• Infection
• Lumpiness
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation
• Persistent pain
• Poor aesthetic result of donor site for fat transfer
• Poor healing of incisions
• Possibility of revisional surgery
• Skin discoloration and/or prolonged swelling
• Skin loss
• Suboptimal aesthetic result
• Thick scar tissue around cheek implant (capsular contracture)
• Unfavorable scarring

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It's important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.