Enhance Facial Structure and Definition
Strong facial contours create the foundation for facial balance. While some individuals naturally have less definition in areas such as the cheeks or jawline, others experience changes in facial structure over time that affect their overall appearance. Facial implants offer a long-lasting solution by enhancing the underlying framework of the face, creating improved proportion and definition without compromising your natural features.
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Darrick Antell of New York City performs facial implant surgery for patients interested in permanent enhancement of the cheeks, jawline, or other facial structures. Every procedure is thoughtfully planned to complement your existing anatomy, resulting in beautiful facial contours that appear balanced, natural, and uniquely your own.
Facial implants can be used to enhance facial structure by augmenting specific features or creating a more proportional appearance. Creating harmony among facial features can improve self-confidence and perceived attractiveness. Jaw implants are useful in increasing the width of the lower face, while cheek implants add volume to and increase the projection of the cheekbones.
Facial implants strengthen the underlying facial framework, but many patients choose to combine them with complementary procedures to address soft-tissue volume loss, skin laxity, or other signs of facial aging. By doing this, Dr. Antell can create more balanced, harmonious results, often in a single surgical experience.
While facial implants improve the projection of the facial skeleton, facial fat grafting restores youthful fullness to the overlying soft tissues; pairing these procedures allows Dr. Antell to strengthen facial structure and replenish age-related volume loss at the same time, creating facial rejuvenation that looks defined and naturally refreshed.
A facelift addresses loose skin and descended facial tissues, while facial implants enhance the contours beneath the skin. Together, these procedures can restore youthful facial definition by lifting sagging tissues and improving the projection of key facial features. The result is comprehensive rejuvenation that addresses both facial structure and visible signs of aging.
Refreshing the upper face can beautifully complement enhanced facial contours. Eyelid surgery removes excess skin and addresses puffiness around the eyes, while facial implants strengthen the cheeks or jawline below. These procedures create balanced facial rejuvenation by improving multiple areas of the face without making any single feature appear overtreated.
Facial implants are an excellent option for individuals in need of permanent improvement in facial structure rather than temporary volume enhancement. Great candidates for this procedure in New York City often include those who:
Unlike injectable treatments that temporarily restore volume, facial implants provide permanent structural enhancement by augmenting the underlying facial skeleton. Carefully selected implants can strengthen facial contours, improve symmetry, and create greater definition while maintaining harmony between your facial features.
Potential benefits of facial implant surgery include:
The entire process of getting facial implants begins with a consultation. During your initial consultation, Dr. Antell will discuss your concerns with your existing appearance, as well as your vision for your new look. Dr. Antell will closely evaluate your facial profile to determine how facial implants can help you achieve your desired outcome. Facial implants are available in a wide array of sizes and shapes, and Dr. Antell will work with you to carefully select those that will create the most natural-looking enhancement in your facial structure. After a detailed discussion of the procedure, Dr. Antell will review the risks so you are fully informed. Please be sure to inform Dr. Antell if you smoke or if you’re taking any medications, vitamins, or drugs. Don’t hesitate to ask Dr. Antell any questions about the surgery, recovery, and expected outcome.
Dr. Antell has privileges at numerous hospitals throughout New York City, but most patients prefer the procedure to take place in his discreet, private operating room just across the street from the world-renowned Lenox Hill Hospital. His facility has a private back entrance for maximum discretion, and all members of his staff have been thoroughly trained to provide personalized care. The state-of-the-art outpatient surgery facility is fully accredited, designed for your comfort, and equipped with the latest technology.
You will be provided with instructions to thoroughly prepare you for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding vitamins, iron tablets, and specific medications. You may be given prescriptions that should be filled prior to your day of surgery.
Many of our procedures are performed using local anesthesia alone. However, when appropriate, we may recommend sedation (also known as twilight anesthesia) to enhance your comfort.
If sedation is indicated for your procedure, you should arrange for someone to escort you home after surgery and assist you for the first few days.
The chosen incision method and implant placement will be customized to your anatomy and preferences to ensure a natural-looking result. For cheek implants, the implant is typically placed through an incision in the mouth. The position of the implant on the cheekbone will be determined by which area you specifically desire to be augmented. Jaw implants are also usually placed through an incision inside the mouth, typically along the back of the jawline where the cheek and gum meet. In both cases, Dr. Antell will create a “pocket” in which the implant will be placed and fit around the bone. The incision will be closed with meticulously placed dissolving internal sutures. The procedure typically takes about one to two hours.
Many facial implant procedures are performed using local anesthesia alone. However, when appropriate, sedation (also known as twilight anesthesia) may be recommended to enhance your comfort. Dr. Antell will discuss whether sedation is indicated for your procedure during your consultation.
Your Guide to Post-Facial Implant Care
After undergoing the surgery, you will recover in Dr. Antell’s state-of-the-art recovery suite while being monitored by one of his nurses until you feel well enough to be discharged. Facial implant surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can return home the same day. When performed with “twilight” sedation, you should be prepared to have an escort to bring you home, as you will not be able to drive for 24 hours after the administration of anesthesia. Upon leaving the facility, you will be provided with thorough discharge instructions that will guide you through the initial post-operative period. Throughout your recovery, Dr. Antell and his staff will be available to answer any questions you may have.
You may feel tired or sore after surgery, but most patients are able to return to most daily activities and work within days of the procedure. Because of the incision and implant placement, you may have difficulty smiling, talking, and moving your mouth in the first few days. You may be asked to consume only soft foods or sleep with your head elevated for the first few days after surgery.
It is best to avoid vigorous exercise for about 10-14 days; however, Dr. Antell will provide an individualized recovery plan based on the complexity of your procedure and your healing rate.
While you will see significant improvement within the first 10-14 days, the final results will likely be visible about three months after your surgery. Applying ice to the area can significantly help to reduce swelling. While you will see significant improvement in the first two weeks, the final results will likely be visible about three months after your surgery.
The cost of a facial implant in New York City can vary greatly for each patient. Facial implant surgery is designed around the unique proportions of your face, making the consultation an important part of determining the overall investment. Variables such as the type of implant selected, the complexity of placement, anesthesia, and whether facial implants are combined with additional procedures all contribute to the final cost.
Trained at both Stanford and Cornell, Dr. Antell is one of the most renowned Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeons in the world and will be recognized among Newsweek’s America’s Best Plastic Surgeons 2026. He is one of the few plastic surgeons who also holds a dental degree, which gives him unique expertise in facial anatomy that sets him apart from his peers. He is known for achieving elegant, sophisticated results using brilliant techniques that enhance your facial appearance without making it look obvious or unnatural. Celebrities and other high-profile individuals often call upon him for facial surgery, and he performs all procedures with meticulous attention to detail and complete discretion.
NYC Plastic Surgeon
MD, FACS
In-Office & Virtual Consultations with Dr. Antell are Available