Long and Wide Face? Dramatic Transformation with Midface and Cheekbone Reduction Surgery
A patient visited On Clinic, concerned about their long and wide-looking face and relatively small-looking eyes. Many people who feel their eyes are small first consider double eyelid surgery or canthoplasty. However, sometimes the overall facial proportions, especially the length of the midface, can create an illusion regarding eye size.
Issues That Cannot Be Solved by Eye Surgery Alone
During the consultation, I meticulously analyzed the patient's face and pointed out that rather than the size of their eyes, it was the long midface and wide facial width that made their face appear generally large. I explained, "Your eyes aren't small. Even if you undergo epicanthoplasty, lateral canthoplasty, or any other canthoplasty procedure, it will be useless. You'll just end up with a lot of scars." I clarified that simply enlarging the eyes would not improve the overall harmony of the face. While one might mistakenly think that a wide face doesn't appear long, I emphasized that the face length is 'extremely long,' and understanding this proportional illusion is crucial.
Goals of Midface and Cheekbone Reduction Surgery
In the patient's case, the key was to reduce the length of the midface and the cheekbones to balance the overall facial structure. "We will make this area (midface) as short as possible." This surgery goes beyond simply shaving bone; it focuses on improving facial dimensionality and proportions to create a natural and refined impression.
1-Week Post-Surgery: Remarkable Changes
Upon checking the patient's progress one week after surgery, positive changes were already evident in their face. CT scans confirmed that the previously long midface had been reduced by nearly half.
"Can you see how long the midface was here? This length has been reduced by half."
The cheekbones were also effectively reduced, narrowing the facial width and softening the overall facial contour significantly.
- Significant reduction in midface length
- Improved cheekbone prominence
- Reduced facial width and refined facial lines
1-Month Post-Surgery: Even Clearer Results
During the 1-month follow-up, the patient still had some swelling, but the facial changes were even more pronounced. Notably, the deep nasolabial folds (smile lines) that were present before surgery had faded and appeared to have lifted. When I mentioned the improvement in skin elasticity to the patient, asking, "It seems your elasticity has improved, do you notice it?", the patient responded positively, "Do I look better now?" I replied, "Yes, you actually look better now than before the surgery," confirming the successful outcome once again.
Additional Management for Adhesion and Elasticity
To maintain optimal results after surgery and promote skin adhesion, additional management is necessary. "The very first thing we need to do is get cheekbone Botox. We usually inject here, but this area looks too wide." To reduce the muscles in the cheekbone area, further smooth the facial line, and enhance skin adhesion, we plan to perform 3 sessions of Ulthera 600 shots at 4-week intervals. This comprehensive approach, combined with swelling management, helps maximize the surgical effect by improving skin elasticity.
I told the patient, "In my opinion, in about 3 months, the swelling will have subsided quite firmly. I think that will be the end of it," expressing my expectations for the final results. Midface and cheekbone reduction surgery is a delicate process that goes beyond simply reducing bone; it considers the overall facial proportions and harmony to deliver a more youthful and refined impression.
Dr. Myungjun Oh, On Clinic | Last reviewed 2026-05-23