Chipmunk Cheeks!!!

[RainInSpain]

I'm in my mid-20s, got the cheek implants (plus some lower cheek lipo and a chin implant) to add some much-needed contour and definition to my face. Sadly to say, I am not happy with the results (at two weeks post surgery, but please read on). The implants look and feel enormous, and give my face a distinct chipmunk look. I can't look at my reflection without cringing.

Since my surgery was just two weeks ago, I figured the hugeness was do to swelling and told myself not to worry about it. However, at a recent follow-up I was told by my PS that the cheeks were about "where they were going to be."

How can this be possible? This ridiculous appearance is NOT what I had in mind when I embarked on PS. I am devastated at the thought of paying so much money and going through so much pain and suffering only to look worse than I started.

My only hope is that the doctor is wrong, and that the swelling will disappear eventually and take the chipmunk look with it. Anyone else here have similar experiences with cheek implants? I really hope someone out there can give me some good news, as I am having a pretty crappy holiday season so far as a result of this PS. Thanks!

[michele]

I think that two weeks after cheek implants is way way too early to determine what the end result will be. Are you sure your doctor was no just telling you that that is where the cheek implants end up being just in terms of location on your face? I had a cheek lift about four years ago, and the swelling took months to completely go away, and this is what I expected from the research I did. I would assume that implants would be about the same. Even breast implants take about three months for all the swelling to go down, although the first four to six weeks results in most of the swelling decrease. I would ask your doc again how long it will be before all the swelling is gone. Good luck!!

[turquoise_D]

I had a chin implant years ago, and it took me at least 3 or 4 months for the swelling to go down so that I didn't have that chipmunk look.

Also, I think you notice it more if your face is thin or narrow to begin with and it seems exaggerated to you.

I wouldn't worry to awful much right now, just give it a while longer.

[RainInSpain]

Thanks for the input regarding cheek augmentation. I am going to be patient and hope for the best.

For those interested in the cheek proceedure: here's a bit of the conversation I had with my doctor during a recent follow-up visit, which may illustrate why I'm unhappy with the results I got. I'm posting this as a caution to others interested in the proceedure - be CLEAR about what you want, and make sure your doctor is 100% clear as well! Leave nothing to ambiguity.


Me: I'm not happy with the way my cheeks are turning out. I realize there is probably still a lot of swelling, but they still seem too large. You used the smallest implant, right?

Doctor: Yeah, they're pretty small. It's great.

Me: But you used the smallest implant?

Doctor: Not the smallest, but pretty small.

Me: I thought you were going to use the smallest implant.

(Doctor shrugs and smiles. Not making this up.)

[yruhere4now]

who did your implants ? I agree about being thurough with respect to explaining what you want. Mine are a bit different than I would like because we didnt communicate well enough..