It also may be that the face needs Mandibular (jaw) augmentation or Mentoplasty (chin augmentation) to balance out the features in addition to cheek augmentation.  It is common to have cheek augmentation in conjunction with a buccal fat removal procedure, as well.   A qualified plastic surgeon can help determine your needs by examining your facial structure and photographs.  Some surgeons even draw a graph on a photo of your face to measure the distances from each facial feature or utilize computer imagery to help portray the possibilities.  However, you mustn't rely on the accuracy of the surgical outcome when computer imaging is utilized.  The image is only an approximation although it can be used to help convey your desires to your surgeon.  Usually an oblique photo is used to best determine your idea, however it is still difficult to actually show an outcome of cheek augmentation without a 3-D model.

Are You A Candidate For Cheek Augmentation?

First and foremost, an individual must be in good health, not have any active diseases or pre-existing medical conditions and must have realistic expectations of the outcome of their surgery.   Communication is crucial in reaching one's goals.  You must be able to voice your desires to your surgeon if he/she is to understand what your desired results are.   Discuss you goals with your surgeon so that you may reach an understanding with what can realistically be achieved.

You must be mentally and emotionally stable to undergo an cosmetic procedure.  This is an operation which requires patience and stability in dealing with the healing period.   There is sometimes a lull or depression after surgery and if there is already a pre-existing emotional problem, this low period can develop into a more serious issue.  Please consider this before committing to a procedure.

You must have no bone disorders, are not or have not been on Accutane for the last 6 months or sometimes more (it causes excessive facial bone growth, called Hyperostosis, and increased, keloid-like scarring after skin trauma such as incisions).  Only a qualified plastic surgeon can determine this after speaking to you as well as going over your medical history, examining your facial structure and skin.  You must realize that no doctor can perform miracles but a highly skilled surgeon can transform what you do have into a more balanced look altogether.

Facial Proportion & Analysis

Now the question is, do you need Cheek Augmentation?  If so, what area would you like enhanced?  Is it the malar or sub-malar area?  What look are you trying to achieve and do you desire very prominent cheeks, rejuvenation or subtle improvement? 

Facial Analysis Exercises
Beauty is not an exact science but according to some Plastic Surgeons there is a specific proportion system that the "ideal" face tends to hover at.  This includes facial height, width and symmetry.  First the face is evaluated from its frontal view and then its lateral (side view).  There are steps that can determine the facial lateral width or projection (as in your profile) and there is the oblique assessment for contours such as the cheek bones, chin and nose. 

sym*me*try (noun), plural -tries
[Latin symmetria, from Greek, from symmetros symmetrical, from syn- + metron measure -- more at MEASURE] First appeared 1541

1 : balanced proportions; also : beauty of form arising from balanced proportions

2 : the property of being symmetrical; especially : correspondence in size, shape, and relative position of parts on opposite sides of a dividing line or median plane or about a center or axis

*You will more than likely need a good Online Medical Dictionary to translate the terminology used.  This dictionary will load in a new window for your convenience.

Just remember, if you don't "pass" any one of these evaluations -- don't take it to heart.  No one is truly symmetrical.  Remember that beauty is also about attitude, so make it a good one!  We shall begin with a few popular, "ideal" Cheek Formulas.

Various Forms Of Cheek Analyses Are As Follows:

Based upon the Horizontal plane or line [: a plane used in craniometry, a science dealing with cranial measurement, that is determined by the highest point on the upper margin of the opening of each external auditory meatus and the low point on the lower margin of the left orbit and that is used to orient a human skull or head usu. so that the plane is horizontal -- called also Frankfort horizontal, Frankfort plane]. 

Four Forms of Facial Analyses Are As Follows:

• "Hinderer - In a frontal view, draw a line from the lateral commissure [1 : a point or line of union or junction between two anatomical parts (as the lips at their angles)] of the lip to the lateral canthus [: either of the angles formed by the meeting of the upper and lower eyelids] of the ipsilateral [: situated or appearing on or affecting the same side of the body] eye. Another line projects from thetragus [: a small projection in front of the external opening of the ear] to the inferior edge of the nasal ala [: a wing or a winglike anatomic process or part; esp : ALA NASI (nostril flares]. The area posterior and superior to the junction of these two projections should the most prominent area of the malar eminence. 

• Powell et al. - A vertical line is drawn through the middle of the face and then the segment between the nasion [: the middle point of the nasofrontal suture, or the cranial suture between the nasal and frontal bones] and the nasal tip is bisected by a line that curves gently upward to the tragus on both sides.  A line is drawn from the inferior ala to the lateral canthus and another one, parallel to this one, is drawn from the lateral oral commissures toward the ear. The intersection of the curvilinear horizontal line and the line from the oral commissures marks the point where the malar area should be most prominent 

• Silver and Guilden - As general rule these authors suggest that if the malar prominence in the true lateral projection is greater than 5 mm posterior to the nasolabial [: of, relating to, located between, or occurring between the nose and the lips] groove then there is deficiency in the malar area. As a more formal method of analysis Silver describes the malar prominence triangle...