Restore fullness, definition, and projection to the middle third of your face with cheek augmentation by Dr. David Morwood, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Monterey. Cheek augmentation treats volume loss, midface descent, flattened contours, and less prominent cheekbones, helping you achieve a more youthful appearance.
Before & After Cheek Augmentation
*Actual Patient Disclaimer: there is no guarantee of specific results and the results can vary.
In Dr. Morwood's Words:
The cheeks play a key role in an attractive face. The attractive malar area and zygomatic arch have “high cheekbones.” The midface must have definition and must be sculpted.
David T. Morwood, MD, FACS
The Truth About Plastic Surgery: An Educational Guide for the Consumer
This Procedure Treats:
- Flat or underdeveloped cheekbones
- Age-related loss of midface volume and projection
- Asymmetry between the two sides of the face
- Lack of facial definition and three-dimensional contour
- Hollowing beneath the cheekbones
Restore Midface Volume and
Cheekbone Projection
Cheek augmentation is a method of volumetric restoration focused on the middle third of your face, specifically the malar areas (upper cheeks) and zygomatic arches (cheekbones). As you mature, you tend to lose facial fat, and the unrelenting force of gravity allows the soft tissues to descend, leading to flatter contours and less prominent cheekbones. Cheek augmentation helps restore fullness, definition, and projection using fillers, fat grafting, or surgical enhancement, helping to re-volumize the face and recreate a more youthful facial contour.
Cheek Augmentation Treats:
- Loss of facial volume in the midface
- Flattened or poorly defined cheekbones
- Midface descent (downward shift of soft tissues)
- Hollowing beneath the cheekbones (submalar hollowing)
- Loss of projection, depth, and contour in the face
- Early signs of aging related to fat atrophy
- A weakened or flattened cheek-to-jaw contour (Ogee curve)
- An imbalance between the facial thirds (especially the middle third)
- Deflated appearance described as a “grape to a raisin” or “plum to a prune”
- Lack of fullness associated with the “fullness of youth”
How Does Volume Loss Affect the Cheeks?
As you mature, you tend to lose fat in your face and gain it in the trunk. In the midface, this loss of volume allows the unrelenting force of gravity to pull on the soft tissues, leading to midface descent. Your cheekbones become less prominent, and the face can appear deflated, like a grape becoming a raisin. This is why most patients seek cheek augmentation.
Cheek Augmentation Techniques Used by Dr. Morwood
Cheek Fillers
Cheek fillers involve injecting a prefilled syringe of material (most commonly hyaluronic acid) into the malar area and along the zygomatic arch. Dr. Morwood typically places thicker fillers with a higher G prime value near or on the bone to restore projection and definition. This is performed in the office with local anesthetic while you are awake, making it an efficient “lunchtime” treatment to add volume and enhance cheekbone prominence.
Cheek Fat Grafting
Cheek fat grafting involves harvesting your own fat cells through conservative liposuction from areas such as the lower abdomen or flanks (love handles). The fat is then processed (decanted or centrifuged) and micrografted into the malar areas and zygomatic arches to restore fullness. These are living cells that take root, regain blood supply, and grow. Dr. Morwood favors fat grafting when a significant amount of volume or longer-lasting volumization is required.
Cheek Implants
Cheek implants involve surgically placing a shaped implant along the cheekbone to increase structural projection and definition. This is considered a foundation procedure because it alters the underlying facial framework. While effective for select patients, Dr. Morwood typically relies on fat grafting and long-lasting fillers, which provide predictable, natural-looking results without permanently altering the bony structure or requiring extensive surgery.
Cheek Augmentation FAQs
How Long Do Results From Cheek Augmentation Last?
Fillers are considered temporary and will gradually be absorbed within a few months, although some may last a year or longer, depending on the product. Fat grafting is different because the transferred cells are living tissue. Once they take root and become vascularized, they persist long term. However, not all transferred fat survives: in general, about 67% of the volume may persist, which is why overcorrection is often performed during the procedure.
Will I Look Overfilled After Fat Grafting?
Immediately after fat grafting, you may look somewhat puffy or overcorrected. This is part of the process. Over time, some of the transferred fat will not survive, and the remaining fat will settle, soften, and integrate into your tissues. It can take weeks to months, and sometimes up to a year, for your final result to become apparent.
Can Cheek Augmentation Improve Overall Facial Balance?
Yes. The middle third of your face plays a critical role in overall facial harmony. Restoring volume to the malar areas and zygomatic arches can improve the balance between the facial thirds and recreate an attractive Ogee curve. In many cases, cheek augmentation is combined with facial lifting or repositioning of descended tissues to achieve a more natural outcome.
Have More Questions?
Learn More About Cheek Augmentation in The Truth About Plastic Surgery: An Educational Guide for the Consumer
If you want a deeper understanding of cheek augmentation, Dr. David T. Morwood’s book, The Truth About Plastic Surgery: An Educational Guide for the Consumer, explains volumetric restoration in clear, practical terms. You’ll learn how fillers, fat grafting, and structural enhancement restore fullness, projection, and contour. Dr. Morwood walks you through the aging process and your options, helping you make informed decisions about your care.
Client Testimonials
Request a Private Consultation
Re-volumize Your Midface for Natural Fullness With Cheek Augmentation in Monterey
Dr. David Morwood is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over three decades of experience in facial rejuvenation and volumetric restoration. During your consultation, you will review your facial anatomy together, discuss your concerns, and explore customized options such as fillers or fat grafting. Using 3D imaging and detailed facial analysis, your treatment plan is tailored to your goals. Schedule your private consultation today for cheek augmentation in Monterey.
Book Today
