Cheek augmentation is a plastic surgery that fills the cheeks to improve facial contours and increase facial fullness. In recent years, with the development of the plastic surgery industry, more and more people have begun to choose cheek augmentation in pursuit of a fuller and more three-dimensional facial shape. However, preoperative examination is a key step to ensure surgical safety, effectiveness and postoperative recovery. Through scientific and comprehensive preoperative examinations, doctors can tailor the best surgical plan for patients based on their individual physical conditions. This article will discuss in detail what examinations need to be done before cheek augmentation surgery, and explain the purpose and significance of each examination.
1. Indications and common methods of cheek augmentation surgery
Cheek augmentation surgery is mainly suitable for the following groups of people:
People with naturally thin faces and lack of facial contours ;
People with sagging facial skin and sunken cheeks due to aging ;
Young women or men who wish to change their facial appearance through non-invasive means .
Common cheek augmentation procedures include:
Autologous fat transplantation : fat extracted from other parts of the patient's body (such as the abdomen and thighs) is injected into the face.
Hyaluronic acid injection : Increase the fullness and three-dimensionality of the face by injecting fillers such as hyaluronic acid.
Silicone or other artificial material implants : By implanting medical-grade silicone or other prostheses, a long-lasting cheek augmentation effect can be achieved.
The importance of preoperative examination
The purpose of cheek augmentation preoperative examination is to ensure that the patient's physical health condition meets the surgical requirements, eliminate surgical risks, prevent postoperative complications, and ensure that the final effect can meet the patient's expectations. Common preoperative examination items include routine physical examination, blood test, allergen test, etc. The following are several major examinations that need to be done before cheek augmentation surgery.
3. Routine physical examination before surgery
1. General health assessment
Before surgery, the doctor will first conduct a full-body health assessment of the patient. Routine physical examinations include checking vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature to gain a basic understanding of the patient's health status and ensure that the patient can withstand anesthesia during surgery and recover after surgery.
2. Facial Assessment
Doctors need to evaluate facial symmetry, skin condition, fat distribution, etc. to determine whether cheek augmentation surgery is suitable. For example, if the facial skin is loose or too sunken, other surgical methods may need to be considered, such as a facelift.
3. Dental examination
In cheek augmentation surgery, especially when using prosthetic implants, the structural relationship between the teeth and facial bones needs to be evaluated. If the patient has dental problems, such as malocclusion, loose teeth, etc., it may affect the postoperative effect. Therefore, a dental examination is required before surgery to ensure oral health.
4. Blood Test
1. Routine blood test
A routine blood test is a routine test to understand the patient's health status and rule out potential diseases. By checking indicators such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets , we can initially understand whether the patient's immune system is normal, whether there is anemia, infection, and other problems. A routine blood test helps to determine whether the patient is qualified for surgery and provide a reference for bleeding during surgery.
2. Coagulation function test
Cheek augmentation surgery is a minimally invasive surgery, but it may still involve a small amount of bleeding. Therefore, checking the coagulation function is an important part of the surgery that cannot be ignored before surgery . If the patient has abnormal coagulation function, it may easily lead to postoperative bleeding problems. The doctor may need to adjust the treatment plan or delay the surgery.
3. Liver and kidney function tests
Liver and kidney function is the key to maintaining the metabolism and excretion of anesthetic drugs. By testing indicators of liver and kidney function , doctors can determine whether the patient has the conditions for anesthesia, whether he or she can successfully pass the postoperative recovery period, and reduce complications caused by poor liver and kidney function.
5. Allergen Testing
1. Drug allergy test
Cheek augmentation surgery, especially when using autologous fat or fillers, may involve the use of harmful drugs or anesthetics. Drug allergy testing can help doctors understand whether patients have allergic reactions to certain drugs or anesthetics. If the patient has a history of drug allergies, doctors can choose other more suitable drugs or anesthesia methods based on the specific circumstances.
2. Skin allergy test
For patients who choose hyaluronic acid or other fillers , a skin allergy test is required before surgery. By trial-injecting the filler in a small area, it is observed whether there is an allergic reaction to ensure that the patient can safely use this type of filler.
6. Imaging examination
In some cases, your doctor may need to order imaging tests to further evaluate your facial structure. Common imaging tests include:
1. X-ray or CT scan
For some cheek augmentation surgeries involving prosthesis implants, especially those that require adjustment of the facial bone structure, X-rays or CT scans can help doctors understand the bone condition . This examination helps to understand whether the facial skeleton meets the surgical requirements and assess facial bone density and other information.
2. Ultrasound examination of facial soft tissue
Ultrasound examination can provide detailed information about facial soft tissue and help doctors determine the thickness of the fat layer, the degree of skin sagging, etc. This is especially important for patients who need autologous fat transplantation. Ultrasound examination can ensure the health of the fat donor area .
7. Preoperative Psychological Assessment
Psychological assessment is an important part before cheek augmentation surgery. Doctors communicate with patients to understand their surgical expectations, psychological state, and whether they have unrealistic cosmetic goals. Preoperative psychological assessment helps to minimize the gap between patients' expectations and actual results , and also reduces patients' anxiety during surgery and recovery.
8. Preoperative Contraindications and Preparation
Before surgery, patients need to follow some basic taboos and preparations to ensure that the surgery goes smoothly. Common taboos include:
Avoid taking medications containing aspirin in the week before surgery to reduce the risk of bleeding;
Avoid drinking alcohol within 48 hours before surgery to avoid affecting the anesthesia effect;
Keep your face clean and avoid wearing makeup before surgery .
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Cheek augmentation surgery is a delicate and personalized cosmetic surgery. Preoperative examinations are crucial. Through comprehensive physical examinations, blood tests, allergen tests and imaging examinations, doctors can develop personalized surgical plans for patients, reduce postoperative complications, and ensure the best surgical results. When choosing cheek augmentation surgery, patients should strictly follow the doctor's advice to ensure that their physical condition meets the surgical requirements in order to obtain ideal cosmetic results.