Cheek implants

Cheek implants in Turkey: what they are and how they work

Cheek implants are solid, shaped pieces of biocompatible material, most often medical-grade silicone, placed over the cheekbone to add projection and definition to the middle of the face. They are also called malar or submalar implants: malar implants sit on the bony prominence, submalar implants sit lower, below it, to fill a hollow beneath the cheekbone. Unlike filler, which is absorbed, an implant is a permanent structural change that can be removed if needed.

People choose them for flat or underdeveloped cheekbones, for facial balance alongside a small chin or a prominent nose, or to restore volume after ageing. This guide explains how the surgery is done, what the evidence says, how implants compare with filler and fat grafting, what they cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany, what recovery involves and how to check a clinic. See also our overview of plastic surgery treatments in Turkey.

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Silicone, porous polyethylene or fat: which cheek augmentation fits?

Three routes add cheek volume, and each suits a different goal.

If your cheekbones are structurally flat, an implant gives a firm contour that filler cannot copy. If your face has lost volume with age, fat grafting or a facelift may restore shape more naturally. Many surgeons also combine cheek implants with a jaw implant or chin work when the whole mid and lower face is out of balance.

How is cheek implant surgery done, step by step?

The operation is usually done under general anaesthesia, or under local anaesthesia with sedation. The surgeon chooses the implant shape and size from your photographs, and sometimes from a 3D plan or a CT scan. The pocket is made through an incision inside the mouth above the upper teeth, which leaves no visible scar, or through the lower eyelid when the surgeon is also doing eyelid surgery. The implant is placed on the bone, in a pocket the same size as the implant, and often fixed with a small screw or suture so that it does not move. The incisions are then closed with dissolving stitches.

The operation takes about one to two hours. Most patients stay one night in the hospital or go to the hotel the same day.

Do cheek implants work, and how long do they last?

For their purpose, yes. A well-placed implant gives permanent, symmetrical projection that does not depend on weight change, and reviews in plastic surgery journals describe high patient satisfaction with malar augmentation when the implant is chosen and placed carefully. What is less certain is how natural the result looks over decades, because the face continues to age around a fixed implant. An implant that is too large or placed too far outward can look hard and unnatural, which is why modest sizing and a clear plan matter more than size.

Implants are not guaranteed to last for life; some people choose removal or revision after many years, and that is usually simple because they are not bonded to the bone.

Who is a good candidate for cheek implants?

Good candidates are healthy adults with flat or hollow cheekbones, a bone structure that can hold an implant and realistic expectations about the change. You are less suited if you have active infection of the sinuses or teeth, bleeding or clotting disorders, unrealistic hopes of a different face, or if you smoke and cannot stop before surgery. If the issue is mostly skin laxity, a lift may serve you better than an implant. A surgeon should look at your face in profile and from the front, and ask why you want the change.

How much do cheek implants cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany?

The figures are approximate ranges for a pair of cheek implants, not hospital quotes. Each hospital confirms its own price in a written plan after reviewing your photographs.

The cheek implants price depends on the implant material, whether it is a standard or custom-made implant, the anaesthesia, how many nights you stay and whether other procedures are combined. A package normally covers pre-operative tests, the implants, the operation, anaesthetist, medication, follow-up and transfers; ask for the list in writing.

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What does cheek implants recovery feel like, week by week?

Expect a feeling of tightness and pressure across the cheeks, and swelling that is greatest at about two to three days. When the cut is inside the mouth, you will have a numb upper lip and a sore mouth for a short time.

• Days 1–3: cold compresses, head raised, soft or liquid food, careful mouth rinsing after eating.
• Week 1: swelling and bruising peak then ease; avoid chewing hard food, smiling widely and pressing on the cheeks.
• Weeks 2–4: most people return to work after one to two weeks; avoid contact sport and heavy exercise for about four to six weeks.
• Months 2–6: swelling softens gradually and the final contour appears.

Plan to stay five to seven days in Turkey. The surgeon checks the position of the implants and the incision before you fly, and a video check-in follows at home.

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Cheek implants before and after: what do the photos show?

Photographs normally show a higher, more defined cheekbone, a smoother transition from cheek to jaw and, in side view, more projection under the eye. They also show how much the result depends on the face you start with: the same implant gives a very different effect on a narrow face and a wide one. Swelling hides the final result for weeks. Ask for photographs at three to six months of patients with a facial shape similar to yours, and treat any gallery of dramatic changes with caution.

What are the risks of cheek implants?

As with any facial surgery, bruising, swelling, numbness and discomfort are expected. Less common complications include infection of the pocket, implant displacement or asymmetry, visible or palpable edges, irritation of the infraorbital nerve that causes numbness of the cheek or upper lip, and in rare cases the need to remove or replace the implant. Infection risk is one reason for the antibiotics and mouth care you will be given. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons advises choosing a board-certified surgeon in an accredited facility; in Turkey look for a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery in a licensed hospital. Ask what happens if you need a revision and who will treat you after you return home.

How to choose a clinic for cheek implants Turkey patients can trust

Check that the surgeon has experience in facial skeletal contouring, that the implant brand and size are named in the quote, and that you receive a written plan before paying a deposit. Red flags include a quote with no assessment of your face, offers to choose the implant size by comparison with a celebrity, pressure to book fast and no named surgeon. Read how our process works and use the free quote page so that a hospital can review your photos.

• Which implant material and size would you use, and why for my face?
• Will the implant be fixed with a screw, and where is the incision?
• How many nights should I stay in Turkey?
• What is your policy if the implant needs to be repositioned or removed?
• Can I see photographs of patients with a similar face shape?

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Hospitals with Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery in Turkey

Academic Hospital

Üsküdar, Istanbul

MoHHealth Tourism Licence+2

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Lokman Hekim Istanbul Hospital

Pendik, Istanbul

JCIMoH+2

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