Answers at a Glance
What is cheekbone reduction surgery, and who is it right for?
Cheekbone reduction surgery cuts the protruding cheekbone in an L shape, then moves it inward and backward and secures it to reduce the width of the middle of the face. Because the bone is repositioned rather than ground down, it reduces sagging of the soft tissue beneath the cheekbone and creates a natural curve in the side profile. The amount of movement is determined by measuring the direction of cheekbone protrusion (front, side, 45 degrees) on 3D CT, and surgery is not recommended for those whose cheekbones do not protrude significantly.
- Operating Surgeon
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon · Certified specialist in maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Diagnosis
- Nerve canal and bone thickness measured with Large FOV CBCT and 3D analysis software
- Surgical equipment
- Piezo (ultrasonic osteotome) · General anesthesia equipment · Central patient monitor
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee Medically reviewed ·
- Surgery Time
- Approx. 1–1.5 hours
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia
- Hospital Stay
- 1–2 days
- Stitches
- About 2 weeks
- Return to Daily Life
- 1–2 weeks
- Final contour
- 3–6 months
This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed
Recommended for You If
- Those whose cheekbones stick out to the sides from the front view, making the face look wide
- Those whose cheekbones stand out at a 45-degree angle, giving a strong impression
- Those whose cheekbone asymmetry comes from differences in the bone
- Those considering the three contouring procedures (cheekbone + square jaw + chin tip)
Cheekbone reduction surgery, explained by Dr. Lee in videos
On the YouTube channel ‘안될 턱이 있나’, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee answers questions he often receives in the consultation room. This collection includes only the videos related to cheekbone reduction. Click to play right here.
YouTube channel 안될 턱이 있나 These videos are published with patient consent. Results and recovery vary from person to person.
What is the principle behind cheekbone reduction surgery?
The front of the cheekbone (inside the mouth) is cut in an L shape and the back (in front of the ear) is cut through, then the entire cheekbone is moved inward and backward and secured with a plate. The width is reduced at the front and the back is pushed in, which also reduces protrusion in the side profile.
Won't my cheeks sag after cheekbone reduction?
If a lot of bone is ground down, the soft tissue may not follow and sagging can occur. Repositioning the bone with an L-shaped osteotomy and minimizing periosteal dissection can reduce the risk of sagging, but results vary depending on age, skin elasticity, and the amount of movement. If needed, Shrink can be used after surgery to supplement the result.
What is 3D cheekbone reduction?
The cheekbone's thickness and protrusion direction are measured on 3D CT to determine the cutting position and amount of movement in advance, and the plan is then carried out during surgery. For those with left-right differences, the amount of movement is designed differently for each side.
Will my face become much narrower?
Patients with clearly prominent cheekbones notice a change, but for those whose cheekbone prominence is mild or whose temple width is broad, surgery does not significantly reduce the overall facial width. In these cases, we do not recommend surgery and instead guide you to non-surgical alternatives.
When the Director Recommends Surgery
Whether to recommend cheekbone reduction is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria Dr. Lee actually uses in consultations, conveyed in Dr. Lee's own words.
Contouring surgery is performed for aesthetic improvement rather than functional improvement, and it must be able to meet the patient's needs. That is why I always identify the patient's expectations accurately and judge whether contouring surgery can meet them.
The goals and direction the patient hopes to achieve through surgery must match the goals and direction of the surgeon performing it.
A consultation where surgery was not recommended
Even when patients come with the same concern, there are cases where surgery is not the answer once skeletal condition and the desired change are considered. This is the conclusion of a consultation where the director made that judgment.
Because the cheekbone prominence is not severe and the changes achievable through skeletal surgery are limited given the proportions of your face, we do not actively recommend cheekbone reduction surgery or orthognathic (double jaw) surgery.
See the three consultations where surgery was not recommended
Tests and Preparation Before Your Consultation
Facial bone surgery is not decided by appearance alone. At your first consultation, we record how your bones, teeth, and face relate to one another using the tests below, and first judge from that data whether surgery is needed.
| Test | What We Look At |
|---|---|
| 3D CT (Large FOV CBCT) | We view the entire facial skeleton, along with the positions of nerves and tooth roots, in 3D. It can be taken on the day of your consultation. |
| Intraoral Scan · Dental Model | We digitally record how your upper and lower teeth fit together. |
| Facial Photos · Measurements | Using front, 45-degree, and side photos, we measure left-right differences and proportions. |
| 3D Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) | On a 3D model that combines your CT, scans, photos, and models, Dr. Lee performs the surgery virtually first, and we review the expected changes together. |
What to Bring
- Referral from your orthodontist and orthodontic diagnosis records (if available)
- Previously taken CT, panoramic, and cephalometric images (records from other clinics are helpful too)
- Front and side-profile photos (to explain the changes you would like)
- Names of medications you are taking, systemic conditions, surgical history, and allergies
- Your school or vacation schedule, so we can plan surgery and recovery
Cheekbone Reduction Consultation Preparation Card (Printable)
How Your Care Proceeds
- 01
Consultation · 3D CT
We determine whether the cause of your concern is bone or soft tissue, and measure bone thickness, nerve canal position, and left-right differences.
- 02
Design
On the 3D model, we plan the osteotomy lines and the amount of movement, and together we look at which changes would look natural within the proportions of your whole face.
- 03
Pre-Surgery Tests
Pre-anesthesia tests such as blood tests and an ECG. We check the medications you take and any systemic conditions.
- 04
Surgery · Hospitalization
1–1.5 hours per area under general anesthesia. After the recovery room, 1–2 days in a private room.
- 05
Follow-up
1-week band · 2-week stitch removal · 1 month · 3 months · 6 months · 1 year. Dr. Lee checks on you personally.
How Recovery and Aftercare Continue
Recovery after cheekbone reduction surgery generally follows the sequence below. The timeframes reflect an average course, and recovery speed varies from person to person.
| Timing | Condition and Care |
|---|---|
| Right after surgery – 1 week | Wear a compression band, apply ice packs, and keep your upper body elevated. Liquid to porridge-stage diet. |
| 2 – 4 weeks | Stitch removal, soft diet, return to light activity. Laser care for residual swelling. |
| 1 – 3 months | Residual swelling subsides and the contour begins to show. Be careful with hard foods and strenuous exercise. |
| 6 months – 1 year | Final contour stabilizes. Pin removal if needed. |
The Director who consults with you oversees your cheekbone reduction from start to finish
At The Barunface, one person, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, handles the consultation, diagnosis, 3D surgical planning, surgery, inpatient rounds, and follow-up. We do not hand off stages to staff or other doctors.
Because the surgeon who performs your surgery remembers the concerns and diagnosis from your first consultation, you can ask the same person directly about questions that arise during recovery, such as swelling, sensation, and bite after surgery. Since we are located in Seomyeon, you do not have to make long trips for each follow-up visit.
Before the actual surgery, I perform the surgery on a computer first. I try it one way and another, and think it through carefully. In the past, I could only imagine the jaw position and facial appearance after surgery in my head, but now I can see it directly in 3D, which helps me a great deal and helps patients understand the surgery much more easily.
Treatment Standards and Basis
- Operating Surgeon
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon · Certified specialist in maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Diagnosis
- Nerve canal and bone thickness measured with Large FOV CBCT and 3D analysis software
- Surgical equipment
- Piezo (ultrasonic osteotome) · General anesthesia equipment · Central patient monitor
- Recovery
- Private inpatient room, swelling-care injections, Smartlux · LDM, Shurink
- Insurance
- Non-covered (VAT not included)
Cheekbone Reduction FAQ 13 questions
01How much does cheekbone reduction surgery cost in Busan?
According to The Barunface's non-covered fee schedule, cheekbone surgery is KRW 5,000,000 (VAT not included), and the three contouring procedures (cheekbone + square jaw + chin tip) are KRW 11,000,000 (VAT not included). Facial contouring surgery is non-covered (not covered by insurance) and VAT is charged separately. Reference amounts for each area are published in the non-covered fee schedule, and anesthesia, hospitalization, and testing fees are additional. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis. The exact total will be provided in writing after diagnosis.
02How long is recovery after cheekbone reduction?
Return to daily life is usually 1–2 weeks. Right after surgery – Week 1: wearing a compression band, ice packs, keeping the upper body upright. Liquid-to-porridge diet. Weeks 2 – 4: stitch removal, soft diet, return to light activity. Laser for residual swelling. Months 1 – 3: residual swelling subsides and the contour begins to show. Be careful with hard foods and strenuous exercise. Month 6 – Year 1: final contour settles. Pins are removed if needed. Recovery speed varies from person to person.
03What are the side effects of cheekbone reduction surgery?
After contouring surgery, there may be swelling, bruising, reduced sensation, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, soft tissue sagging, a secondary angle (re-protrusion of the square jaw), jaw joint discomfort, and the possibility of revision surgery. Results vary from person to person, and expectations may differ from the actual change, so please review the range of expected change with a 3D simulation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory changes, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
04What are the anesthesia and hospital stay like for cheekbone reduction?
The procedure takes about 1–1.5 hours under general anesthesia, with a 1–2 day hospital stay. At The Barunface, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, personally provides your care.
05Is it okay to have cheekbone reduction surgery in Busan instead of Seoul?
We do not claim that we are unconditionally better than a large hospital in Seoul. However, at The Barunface in Seomyeon, Busan, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon trained at Seoul National University Dental Hospital and Asan Medical Center in Seoul personally handles your consultation, 3D surgical planning, surgery, private-room recovery, and follow-up care. If a problem arises after surgery, you can check directly with your operating surgeon nearby. Stories from patients who considered Seoul but chose Busan are on the 'Orthognathic Surgery: Do I Need to Go to Seoul?' page.
06Where will the cheekbone reduction scar be?
The incisions are inside the mouth and at the hairline in front of the ear (2–3mm). The incision in front of the ear lies at the hairline and often fades over time, but the degree of healing varies from person to person.
07How long is the surgery, and is hospitalization needed?
About 1–1.5 hours, with a 1–2 day hospital stay.
08Is it hard to open my mouth after cheekbone reduction?
For about 1–2 weeks after surgery, opening your mouth may feel uncomfortable, and this gradually recovers. We provide guidance on gentle mouth-opening exercises.
09Can cheekbone asymmetry also be corrected?
By designing different amounts of movement for the left and right sides, asymmetry caused by the bone can be reduced. Differences in soft tissue may remain.
10How much does cheekbone reduction cost?
Per the fee schedule, cheekbone surgery is KRW 5,000,000 (VAT not included), and KRW 11,000,000 when combined with the three contouring procedures. Anesthesia and hospitalization fees are additional.
11How is it different from cheekbone implants or fillers?
Cheekbone reduction is surgery to reduce protruding cheekbones, while implants and fillers are treatments that fill in sunken areas. For those with sunken front cheekbones, filling rather than reduction may be the right choice.
12What about swelling after surgery?
Swelling in the cheek area is greatest on days 2–3 and subsides considerably in about 2 weeks. Residual swelling goes down over 1–3 months.
13Are the pins removed after cheekbone reduction?
In most cases they are left in place. If you can feel them or they cause discomfort, they can be removed after 6 months.
Cheekbone Reduction Cases
These photos are published with the patients' consent. Photographing conditions may not be exactly the same, and results vary from person to person.
Costs and what to know before your visit
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Cheekbone surgery | 50010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| 3-type contouring (cheekbone + square jaw + chin) | 1,10010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
Based on the non-covered fee schedule published by the director. The total cost varies depending on the extent of surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay, and tests. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis.
Costs · Insurance
Facial contouring surgery is not covered by insurance (non-reimbursed), and VAT is charged separately. Base prices for each area are published in the non-reimbursed fee schedule, and anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination fees are added. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis. View non-covered fee schedule
Side effects · Precautions
After contouring surgery, there may be swelling, bruising, reduced sensation, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, soft tissue sagging, a secondary angle (re-protrusion of the square jaw), jaw joint discomfort, and the possibility of revision surgery. Results vary from person to person, and expectations may differ from the actual change, so please review the range of expected change with a 3D simulation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory changes, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
This information complies with the Medical Service Act and medical advertising review standards, and treatment results and recovery may vary from person to person. Please make your decision only after consulting with a specialist.
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This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed