A young patient came to me after undergoing cheekbone surgery in China, where her face had become wider and less aesthetically pleasing. Her initial surgery reportedly started early in the morning and lasted all day. Upon reviewing her bone condition via CT scans, I was utterly appalled.
In-Depth Analysis of Problems from Previous Surgery
CT analysis revealed several severe issues with the previous surgery. Notably, an excessive number of fixation pins—as many as three per cheekbone area—were used. The patient complained that while her face had become smaller, it wasn't pretty, a fact clearly evident in the CT scans.
"Your face did get smaller, but it's not pretty, is it?" The patient nodded in response to my question while I reviewed the CT. The previous surgery had caused the cheekbones to spread outwards, making the face appear wider. The cheekbones protruded beyond the eye sockets, not only widening the face but also resulting in the unnecessary removal of the zygomatic arch. The internal space remained wide, leading to minimal reduction effect.
On Clinic's Approach to Revision Cheekbone Surgery: Midface Malar Reduction
I heard that the clinic in China advertised its method as similar to mine, but in reality, it was a completely different approach. The core of my surgery is not merely 'cheekbone reduction' by cutting the cheekbones, but 'midface malar reduction,' which reduces the central part of the face as a whole. This focuses on creating a three-dimensional face and improving the impression of a wide, flat profile.
Key Strategy for a Three-Dimensional Facial Shape
I reduce facial width by pushing the cheekbones inward to align with the eye sockets, and I enhance the volume of the anterior cheekbones to create a three-dimensional, heart-shaped face. Unlike the previous surgery where the cheekbones protruded beyond the eye sockets, leaving excessive space, my method involves moving the cheekbones inward to align with the eye socket line, minimizing unnecessary space.
- Previous Surgical Method: Cheekbones protruded beyond the eye sockets, widening the side cheekbones and making the face appear flat.
- On Clinic's Surgical Method: Cheekbones are moved inward to align with the eye sockets, reducing the side cheekbones and creating a three-dimensional face.
This method naturally reduces facial width when viewed from the front and creates a smooth line from the side, contributing to an overall smaller and more youthful impression. Specifically, eliminating the internal facial space and reducing midface length are key aspects of the surgery.
Clear Changes Through Pre- and Post-Surgery CT Comparison
Comparing pre- and post-surgery CT scans clearly shows the difference. The cheekbones, which were previously flared outwards due to the prior surgery, were precisely moved inward to align with the eye socket line after my revision surgery, significantly reducing facial width while simultaneously restoring three-dimensional volume. Fixation pins were also used minimally, considering both safety and aesthetic appeal.
Successful Revision Surgery, The Result
After the revision surgery, the patient achieved a much smaller and smoother facial line. Even in the one-month follow-up photos, a transformation from her previous wide and unnatural facial shape to a natural and beautiful heart-shaped face was evident. As such, revision facial contouring surgery requires a delicate approach that goes beyond simply reducing bone, considering the overall harmony and functional aspects of the face. An accurate diagnosis and customized surgical plan from an experienced specialist can lead to satisfactory results.
Dr. Myungjun Oh, On Clinic | Last Reviewed 2026-05-23