consider prominent cheekbones to be very attractive, as evidenced by the facial features of many successful models. Most of us agree that high cheekbones generally give the owner a sophisticated glamour like no other single feature can. A properly chosen cheek implant can create harmony to a collapsed mid-face. Buccal fat removal can bring out contours and uncover cheekbones that were hidden by 'chipmunk' cheeks. A cheek-lift can lift up sagging cheeks and fill out sinking cheeks to bring back a more youthful appearance in an aging face. Move your mouse over the picture on the right to see the difference cheek enhancement can make.

Also known as a mid-facelift, a cheek lift can be a better option than implants for those who need a higher position to falling, aging cheeks. A cheek lift tightens the skin of the midface and is usually combined with a lower bleph to give a smoother contour between cheek and eye. The surgery can also be combined with the use of implants for a more dramatic result.

Buccal fat pad removal, or "bilateral upper lipectomy", will give some people a more defined, chiseled look. It is important to note, however, buccal fat removal will usually have a detrimental effect on the aging face when that person reaches their forties and fifties. Buccal fat removal is pretty much irreversible and generally speaking, the more fat we have in our face as we age, the better we age.

Fat injections are unpredictable and it is difficult to find a surgeon with the kind of finesse to do it well. There is a lot of controversy what happens to the tissues as they age with more than the usual amount of fat in them, but it has been said to gravitate down with the skin and what may look like high cheekbones in our 20's and 30's might look like chipmunk cheeks in our 40's and 50's. We must weigh the risks of this inexact art for it is just about impossible to 'undo' poorly place fat injections. To remove it in a way to regain familiar contours once they are lost is very likely impossible.