Cheek Implant Surgery

As we age, the combination of fat loss and gravity gradually changes the appearance of the face — and the cheek region is one of the most visibly affected. The rounded cheek contour of youth begins to flatten, while sagging tissue pulls downward, creating hollowing beneath the eyes and softening the natural transition between the lower eyelid and the cheek. In some patients, this descent produces what is sometimes called a “double-bubble” effect — a visible protrusion of the orbital fat above and a lowered cheek tissue below, with a depression in between that emphasizes the appearance of aging. Cheek implants offer a long-lasting surgical solution within the broader category of chin and cheek enhancement. By placing a precisely sized implant over the malar (cheekbone) area, Dr. Khosh can rebuild the youthful cheek contour beneath the eye, reduce the appearance of lower eyelid bags, and restore the soft, lifted appearance of a younger face. Cheek implants are often combined with upper or lower eyelid surgery in older adults to balance the rejuvenation of the entire midface region.

Few facial plastic surgeons in New York bring Dr. Maurice Khosh’s depth of implant expertise to cheek augmentation. Dual board-certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Khosh is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS) and a past president of the New York Facial Plastic Surgery Society. He is the author of a published reference on implant technique through eMedicine and a chapter on tissue expansion, reflecting a depth of implant-based contouring authority that few facial cosmetic practices can match. Dr. Khosh has served on the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery’s Board Examination and Continuing Education Committees, contributing to the national standards of practice in his field. With three decades of facial surgical experience and recognition as a perennial Castle Connolly Top Doctor, he offers both custom-made cheek implants — designed for patients with unique facial anatomy — and a full range of standard manufacturer implants in various sizes, shapes, and projection profiles, allowing each patient’s selection to be matched precisely to their facial proportions.

Selecting the Right Cheek Implant

Dr. Khosh offers patients two distinct implant pathways, allowing the choice to be made based on each patient’s anatomy and goals:

• Custom-Made Implants: Designed individually to match the patient’s specific cheek anatomy, often selected for patients with asymmetric facial bone structure or congenital differences
• Standard Manufacturer Implants: Available in a range of pre-formed sizes, shapes, and projection profiles, allowing precise matching of the patient’s existing cheek proportions
• Implant Materials: Most commonly silicone or porous polyethylene, each with different integration profiles and removability characteristics
• Placement Vectors: Submalar (under the cheekbone), malar (over the cheekbone), or combination placement depending on the area of volume loss being addressed
• Combined Procedures: Often performed alongside facelift, eyelid surgery, or fat grafting for a comprehensive midface rejuvenation

Who Is a Good Candidate

Cheek implants are a meaningful option for patients with persistent midface flatness, congenital cheekbone underdevelopment, age-related volume loss beneath the eyes, or facial asymmetry from injury or congenital differences. Good candidates are healthy adults with realistic expectations and a desire for a long-lasting, structural change rather than a temporary refinement. For patients with mild to moderate volume loss who are not ready to commit to permanent implants, facial fillers or fat grafting may offer a less permanent alternative — and Dr. Khosh evaluates each patient’s situation honestly to determine which approach best matches their goals.

What to Expect from the Procedure

Cheek implant surgery is typically performed under general or twilight anesthesia in an accredited surgical setting. Dr. Khosh places the implants through small incisions hidden inside the mouth, positioned above the upper teeth, allowing direct access to the malar bone without any visible facial scarring. Each implant is carefully sized, positioned, and secured to ensure precise contour and symmetry between the two sides. Recovery typically involves some swelling and mild discomfort during the first one to two weeks, with most patients returning to social activities within ten to fourteen days. The final contour becomes visible as swelling resolves over the following weeks and months.

Why Patients Choose Dr. Khosh for Cheek Implants

• Published Implant Authority: Authored references on implant technique and tissue expansion that inform every cheek augmentation procedure
• Custom and Off-the-Shelf Options: Full range of implant pathways available, with selection based on the patient’s anatomy rather than the office’s inventory
• Surgical Society Leadership: Past president of the New York Facial Plastic Surgery Society and contributor to AAFPRS Board Examination and Continuing Education Committees
• Comprehensive Midface Planning: Cheek implants evaluated alongside eyelid surgery, fat grafting, and facelift options for the most balanced result
• Park Avenue Convenience: Private Upper East Side practice serving patients from across Manhattan and the tri-state area

Schedule Your Cheek Enhancement Consult in Manhattan

The right approach to cheek augmentation depends on careful evaluation of your facial proportions, your goals, and the durability and reversibility profile you want. Dr. Khosh offers thorough consultations to determine whether cheek implants — or a less permanent alternative — would best produce the result you are seeking. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Khosh at his Park Avenue office in New York City, call (212) 339-9988 or contact us online to request an appointment.