Deutsch
Español
Français
العربية
Română
Русский
Cheek augmentation (implants, fat or fillers) in Istanbul
For cheeks that are flat, thin or have lost volume with age: how fat transfer, implants and fillers compare, and what recovery and risks involve.
- Operation time Varies by method; confirmed at your examination
- Hospital stay Fat: same day or 1 night; implants: at least 1 night
- Time in Istanbul About 7 days; 7–10 days after general anaesthesia
- Back to work Implants: at least 1 week; fat: 1–2 weeks
What is cheek augmentation?
Cheek augmentation adds volume to the cheeks or brings the cheekbone area forward, giving the mid-face more definition and, in some people, a slightly lifted look. There are two surgical options: transferring your own fat, or placing solid cheek (malar) implants, usually through an incision inside the mouth. Dermal fillers are the non-surgical alternative. Depending on the method, it is done under local anaesthesia, sedation or general anaesthesia. After implant surgery, swelling and bruising usually settle within about three weeks.
What it can do
- Add volume to cheeks that are flat, thin or have lost fullness with age
- Bring the cheekbone area forward for a more defined mid-face
- Help balance facial asymmetry, using implants or fat
What it cannot do
- Predict exactly how much transferred fat will survive
- Be done with implants before facial growth is complete
- Make a filler result last; fillers need repeating
Is it right for you?
The right method depends on your bone structure, the volume needed and how you feel about implants and repeat treatments.
Usually a good fit if
- Your cheeks are flat, thin, or have lost volume or sagged with age
- You have naturally flat cheekbones or facial asymmetry
- You are healthy, at a stable weight and do not smoke
- You have realistic expectations about what added volume can do
Better to wait or consider alternatives if
- For implants: an infection, including in the mouth or teeth, or too little bone or soft-tissue support
- For implants: a very large volume deficit, where other methods may suit better
- For fat transfer: an expected change in weight, or fat that failed to survive before
- You are under 18, or your facial growth is not complete
Techniques
There are three ways to add cheek volume: two surgical and one non-surgical.
Fat transfer
Fat is taken from another area, processed and injected into the cheeks. ASPS notes results may last several years; surviving fat is long-lasting, but survival varies, averaging about 47% in the face.
Best for
Volume from your own tissue; see facial fat transfer.
Cheek (malar) implants
Solid silicone or porous polyethylene implants are placed on the cheekbone, beneath its lining, usually through an incision inside the mouth where the upper gum meets the cheek.
Best for
Flat cheekbones or asymmetry that needs structural support.
Dermal fillers
Injected in 15–30 minutes without surgery. Hyaluronic acid lasts about a year, calcium hydroxylapatite about 15 months and poly-L-lactic acid two years or more.
Best for
Trying a change before surgery; see dermal fillers.
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker
Specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery
- Specialist training: Dokuz Eylül University
- Medical degree: Trakya University
- Health tourism authorization: ST-2657
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
How Dr. İlker approaches cheek augmentation
Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker is a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, trained at Dokuz Eylül University. Her own pages on facial surgery describe ageing as a process with stages, and argue for looking at the face as a whole rather than one feature at a time.
For the cheeks, that means first working out whether volume, bone support or both are missing, then which method fits. The reasons are explained before you consent.
- Mid-face analysis Cheek volume, cheekbone projection, skin quality and symmetry are assessed in person.
- Options side by side Fat, implants and fillers differ in how long they last, recovery and risk, and you see them compared.
- Consent with the full picture Risks specific to your method, such as implant infection or uncertain fat survival, are discussed before you sign.
The operation, step by step
These steps describe the surgical options; filler treatment is a short clinic procedure.
-
Consultation
Your mid-face is analysed and the method chosen: fat, implant or filler.
-
Anaesthesia
Local anaesthesia, sedation or general anaesthesia, depending on the method.
-
Incisions
Fat transfer needs only millimetre-sized incisions. For implants, the cut is usually inside the mouth, where the upper gum meets the cheek.
-
Placing the volume
An implant is positioned on the cheekbone, beneath its lining, protecting the nerve that gives feeling to the cheek and upper lip. Fat is injected in small amounts.
-
Closing
Stitches, tissue glue or tape close the incisions; an external stitch may hold an implant for 4 days. Incisions inside the mouth mean liquids and mouthwash at first.
Your days in Istanbul
ASPS advises waiting 7–10 days after facial procedures before flying.
-
Examination first
Before surgery
UK guidance (BAAPS) suggests being examined in person at least 48 hours before surgery, or arriving 72 hours ahead if you have general anaesthesia.
-
Same day or overnight
Surgery day
After fat transfer you usually go home the same day; after implant surgery under general anaesthesia, BAAPS describes a stay of at least one night.
-
Rest and soft food
The first days
Pain is often moderate for two days after implants. Do not press on or move an implant, and skip sunbathing, alcohol, swimming and long tours.
-
A final check
Before you fly home
BAAPS recommends a check by your operating surgeon before you leave.
Recovery, day by day
These milestones mainly describe implant surgery; with fat, the final volume is judged at six months. These are typical ranges, not promises.
- Day 1
Sore and swollen
Expect moderate pain, swelling, bruising and soreness inside the mouth. Keep to liquids if the incision is in your mouth.
- Days 2–3
Hands off
Do not press on or try to move the implant. Use the mouthwash as advised.
- Week 1
Numbness
Temporary numbness of the upper lip and side of the nose is common and usually passes within days, sometimes with tingling. Work is possible from about a week at the earliest.
- Week 2
Easing
Bruising fades. Flying is usually possible after 7–10 days, once your surgeon agrees.
- Weeks 3–4
Swelling settled
Swelling and bruising usually settle within three weeks.
- Months 2–3
Result visible
The new contour is clear as the last swelling resolves.
- Month 6
Fat result
If fat was used, the final volume is judged at this stage.
- Month 12
Long term
Implants keep their shape; protect any skin incision from the sun for the first year.
Contact us straight away if you notice
- Painful, red swelling of the cheek, which can signal infection
- A sudden change in vision after fat or filler injection: seek emergency care at once
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- An implant that feels loose or seems to have moved
In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
Aftercare at home
- Keep to liquids, then soft food, if the incision is inside your mouth, and rinse as advised.
- Do not press on or try to move an implant.
- Brush carefully, protecting the incision.
- Wear any elastic dressing as instructed.
- Protect any skin incision from the sun for 12 months.
Risks and how they are reduced
Each method has its own risks. Across facial implants, overall complication rates of 4–11% are reported, lower for cheek and chin implants.
Choosing the method that fits your anatomy, a healthy mouth, implant placement that protects the cheek's sensory nerve, careful injection technique and stopping nicotine reduce these risks.
| Risk | How often |
|---|---|
Swelling, bruising and painExpected; moderate pain is common for the first two days after implants. | Common |
Temporary numbnessOf the upper lip and side of the nose after implants; it usually passes within days. | Common |
Implant infectionReported in 2–5% of facial implants. An infected implant may need removing; it can be replaced once the infection has cleared. | Uncommon |
Implant shift or visible outlineDisplacement occurs in 1–3%; the implant edge can sometimes be seen or felt, and the bone beneath it can thin. | Uncommon |
Fat transfer: unevenness and volume lossAsymmetry, lumps from fat that did not survive, cysts, and some loss of volume as fat is absorbed. | Varies |
Blocked blood vesselRarely, fat or filler entering an artery can cause blindness. | Rare |
Results and how long they last
After implant surgery, swelling and bruising settle within about three weeks and the new contour shows as the last swelling resolves. A solid implant keeps its shape.
With fat, part is absorbed in the first months and the result is judged at around six months. Fillers last from about a year to two years or more, depending on the product.
How long it lasts: Implants and surviving fat are long-lasting; fillers are temporary, and the face keeps ageing.
With any surgical or interventional procedure, results vary from person to person. We recommend a detailed consultation with your doctor before any procedure.
Before and after
Before and after photos are shared only with patients’ written consent. You can ask to see examples during your consultation.
Before and afterQuestions to ask at your consultation
Take these to any surgeon you see — including us.
- Are you a specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, and where did you train?
- Do I need volume, bone support or both, and which method do you recommend?
- Which implant material would you use, and why?
- What happens if an implant becomes infected or moves?
- If you use fat, how much do you expect to survive?
- Will I stay overnight, and where will the operation take place?
- Whom do I contact if a problem appears after I fly home?
What shapes your plan and quote
After Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker has examined you, you receive a personal written plan that states what is included. It depends on:
- The method: fat transfer, implants or fillers
- Implant type and material, if used
- Anaesthesia and any overnight stay
- Whether it is combined with another procedure, such as a facelift
We do not publish prices: every plan is personal and is written for you after your assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Cheek implants, fat or fillers: which should I choose?
It depends on your face and priorities. Fillers are non-surgical and temporary; fat is your own tissue and the part that survives is long-lasting; implants are surgical and long-lasting. An examination shows whether you need volume, bone support or both.
Are cheek implants permanent?
Solid implants give a long-lasting result and keep their shape. Occasionally one has to come out, for example because of infection or displacement; once an infection has cleared, an implant can be placed again. The face around the implant keeps ageing.
How long does cheek filler last?
It depends on the product: hyaluronic acid lasts about a year, calcium hydroxylapatite about 15 months and poly-L-lactic acid two years or more. Treatment takes 15–30 minutes, and repeat sessions are needed to keep the effect. See dermal fillers for more.
How long does fat transfer to the cheeks last?
ASPS notes that results may last several years. Fat that survives is considered long-lasting, but part is absorbed in the first months, and average survival in the face is reported at about 47%, with wide variation. Some people need a top-up.
How long is the recovery after cheek implants?
Pain is often moderate for the first two days. Swelling and bruising usually settle within three weeks, and work is possible from about one week at the earliest. Temporary numbness of the upper lip is common in the first days.
Will my lip feel numb after cheek implants?
Possibly, for a short time. Temporary numbness of the upper lip and the side of the nose is common after implant surgery and usually passes within a few days; you may feel tingling as sensation returns. Tell your surgeon if it persists.
Will cheek augmentation leave visible scars?
Usually not on the face. Implants are normally placed through an incision inside the mouth, and fat transfer uses incisions only millimetres long. An external stitch is occasionally used for the first four days to hold an implant in place.
Can cheek implants be removed?
Yes. An implant that becomes infected or shifts may need to come out, and it can be replaced once an infection has cleared. Porous polyethylene implants cause less bone thinning than silicone but are harder to remove, so ask which material is planned.
Will I need to stay in hospital for cheek augmentation?
After fat transfer you usually go home the same day or after one night. For implants under general anaesthesia, UK guidance (BAAPS) describes a stay of at least one night. Your written plan will state what applies in your own case.
How long should I stay in Istanbul for cheek augmentation?
Plan on around 7 days after a local procedure and 7–10 days after implant surgery under general anaesthesia. ASPS advises waiting 7–10 days after facial procedures before flying, and BAAPS recommends a check in person by your operating surgeon before you leave.
Medical informationThe information on this page is general information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace a diagnosis or treatment. Every surgical and interventional procedure carries risks, which will be explained to you in detail during your consultation. Whether this procedure suits you can only be decided after an in-person examination and assessment. We encourage you to also seek independent advice from your own doctor before deciding.
A conversation, at your pace.
Not sure which cheek option suits you?
Send your questions and, if you wish, photos from the front and side. Op. Dr. Bilgehan İlker can tell you which options are worth discussing.
- Nef 22 Ataköy, D Blok, Kat 1, Daire 36, Çobançeşme E-5 Yanyol Cad. No:22, Bakırköy / İstanbul
- Monday to Saturday, 10:00–18:00
- +90 542 280 27 51
- Dr. İlker speaks English and Turkish.
Thank you — your question has reached the clinic.
The team will reply using the contact details you gave. If you would like to talk sooner, continue on WhatsApp — your request is already written for you.
Continue on WhatsApp