A Plastic Surgery Specialist Explains Zygoma Reduction Surgery That Reduces Both the 45-Degree Zygoma and the Lateral Cheekbone

Hello. I am Director Kim Jun-hyun of Midline Plastic Surgery.

Today, first of all,

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1. Whether your concern about a prominent cheekbone means you need zygoma reduction surgery

2. If zygoma reduction surgery is needed, which area is developed: the 45-degree zygoma or the lateral cheekbone

3. If it is neither the 45-degree zygoma nor the lateral cheekbone, whether the issue lies in another area rather than the cheekbone

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I will explain these points first and then begin.

For easier understanding, I will explain using characters.

When I think of a character with prominent cheekbones, the first one that comes to mind is

1. Jigsaw from the movie 'Saw'.

Jigsaw

2. Another character with prominent cheekbones would be <The Mask> starring Jim Carrey.

The Mask

If these two characters, both concerned about large and prominent cheekbones, came in for a consultation as patients, would both of them be diagnosed as candidates for zygoma reduction surgery?

1. Jigsaw, whose lateral cheekbone and 45-degree cheekbone are both large, would need zygoma reduction surgery.

Jigsaw is a patient whose 45-degree zygoma is also developed, so the procedure that only reduces the lateral cheekbone, called Quick Cheekbone, would not be enough.

The 45-degree zygoma also needs to be reduced for satisfaction.

I, Dr. Kim Jun-hyun, will explain the surgical method that can reduce both the lateral cheekbone and the 45-degree cheekbone below.

2. Likewise, Mask, who is concerned about the lateral cheekbone, may look like the cheekbone stands out,

but if you look at the areas around the cheekbone—the temples and the outer cheek—the temple area and the area below the cheekbone are hollow,

and there is not enough volume in the face to the point that the skeleton is visible.

So Mask would be a case that needs facial fat grafting^^.

To help you understand more easily, I have explained cheekbone cases using character photos.

Now, as a plastic surgery specialist,

for those considering cheekbone reduction because the lateral cheekbone and 45-degree cheekbone are generally large,

I will explain what the proper zygoma reduction surgery is.

Let’s first look at a photo of a person with prominent cheekbones.

(This person has given consent for portrait rights for before/after photos of zygoma reduction surgery at Midline Plastic Surgery.)

Before and after zygoma reduction surgery

Because the cheekbone bone itself is large,

a facial contouring bone surgery is the appropriate solution.

My zygoma reduction method for improving the 45-degree cheekbone and the lateral cheekbone is as follows:

1. Through a long L-shaped osteotomy of the cheekbone,

the bone of the zygoma body is removed.

2. The bone of the zygomatic arch is also cut.

The 45-degree area of the cheekbone becomes smaller by the amount of bone removed.

The amount of bone removed from the cheekbone varies depending on the patient.

3. While lifting the removed bone upward by the corresponding amount so that the cut surfaces align well with each other,

the fixation must be secured firmly with titanium plates and screws.

4. Then the zygomatic arch area is also pushed inward by the intended amount

and fixed with titanium plates and screws.

I think it would be easier to understand if I explain again with a diagram.

Director Kim Jun-hyun’s cheekbone reduction

Please look at Midline’s zygoma reduction surgery method through the illustration,

and if you have any further questions, leave a private comment and I will reply.

^^

Sometimes, people who inquire ask,

"Does Quick Cheekbone not work if I want a faster recovery?"

As I have said before, Quick Cheekbone results in incomplete correction,

and many patients visit the clinic because of side effects from Quick Cheekbone alone.

Once again,

whether it is called "mini," "minimal," or "quick," if the incision is small and recovery is fast,

it means the field of view is narrow, dissection is difficult,

and the correction is incomplete.

If you cannot see it with your eyes, it is difficult to accurately predict the result.

A short recovery period is good. However, the caveat is that not only may the results fall short of expectations,

but they may also turn out differently from what was intended.

It is right to perform surgery with a method that has been verified over a long period of time and is reliable.

Source: kenhub.com

The muscle that receives square-jaw Botox (the masseter muscle)

as shown in the illustration above,

is attached to the cheekbone and pulls the lower jaw upward,

allowing us to chew or speak.

The force is quite strong,

so fixation with plates and screws is absolutely necessary.

This is also why the correct zygoma reduction surgery, not Quick Cheekbone, must be performed.

This is the difference before and after on CT. Please compare the 45-degree cheekbone and the lateral cheekbone on CT as well.

Before and after zygoma reduction surgery

Before and after facial contouring

This is the CT of a patient who actually received zygoma reduction surgery from me.

To see the effect on the area of concern for the 45-degree cheekbone,

the cheekbone bone was removed and the upper and lower bones are interlocked without any gaps.

Before and after Midline zygoma reduction surgery

This is the before-and-after cheekbone reduction in photos, not CT.

I always consult to determine exactly which area is causing the patient’s concern,

and through careful preoperative design, I tailor the surgery to each patient,

remove the planned amount of bone,

push it inward by the planned amount,

and fix it accurately and securely.

I believe that is the basic principle and standard approach of zygoma reduction surgery.

Director Kim Jun-hyun of Midline Plastic Surgery

One month after zygoma reduction surgery

Director Kim Jun-hyun of Midline Plastic Surgery

These are photos taken one month after zygoma reduction surgery.

Lastly, if you look at the before-and-after photos of the frontal and 45-degree views of zygoma reduction surgery,

both the lateral cheekbone and the 45-degree cheekbone have become smaller,

so you can see that there has been improvement.

^^

If you also noticed the correction of asymmetrical eyes,

then you have a very sharp eye.^^

Today, we looked at the surgical method I use to improve the 45-degree cheekbone and the lateral cheekbone.

For those who are considering cheekbone reduction because of prominent cheekbones,

I hope for a satisfying result with the correct surgical method and diagnosis,

and with that, I will end this post.

. . . .

Seoul is at COVID level 2.5. On the way home from work, I saw a poster with the phrase, "Which mask will you wear? If someone else puts it on for you, it will be too late." along with a photo of wearing a mask in daily life and a photo of lying on an operating table wearing an oxygen mask.

This is a Seoul city poster promoting mandatory mask wearing.

Just as people say masks are the best prevention against COVID, we must wear masks wherever we go to prevent COVID. Our clinic also thoroughly carries out prevention through infection control.

I hope for the day when we can take off our masks and breathe in the cool air of the sky.

<For additional inquiries about zygoma reduction surgery, please leave a private comment and I will reply. Thank you.>