To cheek or not to cheek that is the question

[DianaLM]

I'm getting ready to take the full plunge into FFS: trach shave, forehead work, rhinoplasty, some chin work, bleph, and modest scalp advance. During my consultations with different surgeons I've received different recommendations on what, if anything, to do to feminize my cheeks. One surgeon recommended subtle cheek implants, another recommended fat grafting, and a third said to wait until hormones have had a chance to do their magic (will only have 8-9 months on injected estrogen when I go in for FFS).

My questions are around whether to enhance my cheeks and if so how. Any help/advice/experience on the following issues would be so greatly appreciated! Thank you 

- What is gained from having successful cheek work?
- Is it better to wait for hormones before doing anything with cheeks?
- What are the risks of ending up looking like a chipmunk?
- How durable are implants/how long would fat grafting last?
- What are the relative complications and risks?

[Laura_7]

here are a few thoughts:
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=114307.0


Imo its preferable to give hrt a chance...
and maybe a healthy nutrition, with good and essential fats... avocado oil for example...

you might try additionally bioidentical progesterone, it could help with mood, breast development and have some antiandrogen effects...
available are capsules, gel and implant so other forms than capsules are available...

[sh1982]

I had cheek implants done about 12 years ago and i very happy with the results they gave me and i never had any complications from them.For me it really helped to improve my midface since it added fullness.If you do have them you should really discuss the size with your doctor because if you go to big it will make you look like a chipmunk although i have never seen anybody looking like a chipmunk from cheek implants most of those that have that problem have injected something like silicone in their face.But what i would suggest that you dont have medpor/goretex implants because they are almost impossible to remove so if you do go ahead with cheek implants always ask to have silicone implants because if you are not happy with them they can at least remove to without to much problems. One option would be is to get some temporary facial filler in your cheeks to see how you like it, if you dont like it will be gone in a couple of months.

[allie0365]

Hi, I'm scheduled with Di Maggio in November and debating the cheek implant question as well, I'll probably just go with whatever he recommends based on a final Skype call and in person when I get to Argentina, but was curious about what makes the medpor/goretex implants impossible to remove? I'd have to go through long email threads to find out, but I think Di Maggio uses Medpor. thanks, Allie