Cheek Lift in Atlanta

Lifted, sculpted cheeks are often a result of youthful contours and facial rejuvenation. Unfortunately, the cheeks can be one of the first places to experience sagging and a lost volume as time goes on. As this midfacial aging occurs, shifting contours can flatten and cause an aged appearance and laugh lines. Although fillers can be an effective option, some patients can benefit from a cheek implant surgery with Dr. DiFrancesco.

What is Cheek Augmentation?

A cheek lift surgery, sometimes called the midface lift, addresses the cheeks and surrounding area. Sometimes, traditional facial plastic surgery procedures do not address this lost cheek volume, meaning it can be beneficial when paired with other facial rejuvenation options like a facelift or eyelid surgery. When paired with a cheek lift, full facial rejuvenation surgery provides overall facial harmony and a youthful appearance. When performed on its own, it is a less invasive procedure that offers the benefits of a rejuvenated cheek profile and lesser downtime than other surgical options.

Cheek Augmentation Benefits

A cheek lift or cheek augmentation offers a variety of benefits for patients experiencing a variety of concerns, including:

• Restores youthful facial contours by lifting and enhancing the midface.
• Reduces the appearance of laugh lines and sagging skin.
• Improves volume loss in the cheeks for a fuller, more refreshed look.
• Provides long-lasting, natural-looking results, unlike temporary fillers.
• Requires less downtime than a full facelift, making it a great surgical alternative.

Before and After Photos

Seeing real results is one of the best ways to understand the impact of cheek augmentation. Our before and after photo gallery highlights the transformation that patients experience after cheek lift surgery with Dr. DiFrancesco.

Before & After Photos

Take a look at the results Dr. DiFrancesco can achieve!

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Good Candidates for Cheek Augmentation

The cheek lift is best for patients with beginning signs of the aging process (excess skin, flatness, loss of volume) in the cheeks and midface. Most patients opting for a cheek lift have tried dermal filler and other less invasive procedures but did achieve their ideal long-term results. It’s important that you be in good health and able to undergo surgical procedures, so a board-certified cosmetic surgeon, like Dr. DiFrancesco, will go over your health history during a consultation. She can also recommend additional surgical techniques to enhance your results.

Cheek Augmentation Techniques

There are several techniques Dr. DiFrancesco may use to enhance the cheeks, depending on your goals, anatomy, and aesthetic preferences. Each approach is tailored to help achieve natural, youthful contours with long-term improvement.

Fat Transfer Cheek Augmentation

Fat grafting involves using your body’s own fat to enhance volume in the cheeks, providing a natural alternative to synthetic fillers or implants. Fat is harvested from another area of the body, purified, and strategically injected into the cheeks to create a soft, natural lift with added volume and rejuvenation.

Cheek Implants

For patients seeking more permanent structure and definition, cheek implants can be surgically placed over the cheekbones to enhance projection and shape. Facial implants are customized to fit your facial anatomy. This option is especially beneficial for patients with flat or underdeveloped cheekbones or those looking for more pronounced facial contours.

Preparing for Cheek Augmentation

Before your procedure, Dr. DiFrancesco will conduct a thorough consultation and medical evaluation to ensure you’re a good candidate for cosmetic surgery. You’ll receive detailed pre-operative instructions, which may include pausing certain medications and avoiding smoking. We also encourage you to take some time to prepare for recovery, ensuring you have someone available to drive you home.

Cheek Augmentation Procedure

These cosmetic procedures are performed under general anesthesia. Dr. DiFrancesco will perform the appropriate small incisions and reposition the fat pads over the cheekbone for a refreshed appearance. Additionally, a neck lift, facelift, eyelid lift, or mid-face lift surgery can be performed within the same surgical session. Once the ideal changes are made, the incisions will be closed. After a brief monitoring period, you can return home.

Cheek Augmentation Recovery

The cheek lift comes with less downtime than a traditional facelift. You can expect to take a few days away from work or social engagements, and you should avoid heavy activity for the first six weeks. You’ll likely experience some swelling and discomfort, but this can be easily managed with prescribed medications. To avoid further swelling, it’s important to sleep with your head elevated. If you opt for additional outpatient procedures at the same time as your cheek lift, Dr. DiFrancesco will ensure you have the appropriate aftercare steps to follow.

Results of Cheek Augmentation

You can expect to see initial improvements immediately after surgery, with final results becoming more visible as swelling subsides over the following weeks. Results from fat transfer and implants are long-lasting, and when maintained with a healthy lifestyle, they can offer years of improved facial balance and confidence.

Risks of Cheek Augmentation

As with any surgical procedure, cheek augmentation carries some risks. These may include:

• Swelling
• Bruising
• Infection
• Asymmetry
• Implant shifting (in cases involving implants)

However, choosing a skilled and experienced cosmetic surgeon like Dr. DiFrancesco greatly reduces these risks. During your consultation, we will review your medical history and discuss all possible complications so you can make an informed decision.

Cheek Augmentation Alternatives

Not every patient is ready for or needs surgery. Alternatives to cheek augmentation surgery can provide temporary or complementary results depending on your aesthetic goals and current facial structure:

Facelift

A facelift addresses sagging and volume loss in the lower two-thirds of the face, including the cheeks. While it offers more comprehensive rejuvenation, it’s often more invasive and involves a longer recovery time.

Injectable Fillers

Dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid-based products can provide a quick, non-surgical solution to volume loss in the cheeks. While effective, fillers are temporary and typically require maintenance treatments every 6–12 months.

Cost of Cheek Augmentation

The cost of cheek augmentation varies based on the technique used, surgical complexity, and whether additional procedures are performed. During your consultation, you’ll receive a personalized quote that includes all associated costs. DiFrancesco Plastic Surgery can also assist with financing options to make your treatment more accessible.

What to Expect From a Cheek Augmentation Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. DiFrancesco will review your goals, evaluate your facial structure, and discuss the best approach to achieve your desired outcome. Our team will explain the benefits and risks of each cheek augmentation technique, show before and after photos, and answer all of your questions.

The cheek lift can be an excellent way to restore the profile and sculpt the midface with long-term results. To get started on discussing your options, contact our Atlanta office to schedule a consultation with Dr. DiFrancesco. We invite you to call or fill out our online form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Dr. Lisa DiFrancesco

PLASTIC SURGEON

Dr. Lisa DiFrancesco is a female board-certified plastic surgeon based in Atlanta, GA. Her specialties include, but are not limited to, body contouring after weight loss, skin tightening after weight loss, and abdominoplasty. She has won Castle Conolly Top Doctor for several years in a row, among other prestigious awards. Her expertise and experience makes her uniquely qualified to provide the utmost care and treatment for every patient.