Zygomatic Reduction Surgery and Lifting - Conference Presentation

 Hello,

This is Dr. Han Kyu-nam from 345 Plastic Surgery.

Today, I would like to talk about the presentation I gave at the recent APS 2024 (The Korean Association of Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery) during the Facial Contouring Surgery session.

I was invited by the Facial Contouring Research Society to give a presentation on how to manage soft tissue during zygomatic reduction surgery and to highlight the key considerations. I worked hard to prepare and deliver this presentation.

As many of you may know, Dr. Park Jong-rim specializes in facial contouring surgery at our clinic.

Our clinic is always included in the must-visit list for those considering facial contouring surgery, and we have a large number of patients seeking these procedures.

Interestingly, a significant number of patients seeking facial contouring surgery are in their 30s or older.

For patients in this age group, skin elasticity tends to decrease, and sagging may have already begun, leading many to consider lifting procedures alongside their facial contouring surgery.

At this point, patients consult with me to determine the most appropriate lifting method for their needs.

That’s why I titled my presentation:

"Key Considerations in Soft Tissue Management for Zygomatic Reduction Surgery"

 The zygomatic bone is reduced and fixed in the same way as shown in this CT scan.

The changes achieved through zygomatic reduction surgery can be categorized into two main effects:

  1. The face appears smaller.
  2. The facial contours become smoother.

However, as the volume of the zygomatic bone decreases, the overlying soft tissues may sag, or the zygomatic retaining ligament may pull the surrounding soft tissues inward, causing depressions such as cheek hollowness.

As the zygomatic bone moves inward, the temporalis muscle above it may become more prominent, and the deep cheek fat may be compressed, making the cheeks appear fuller.

A prominent temporalis muscle can be treated with Botox, while any depressions can be corrected with fillers.


However, cheek sagging after zygomatic reduction surgery is often not easily resolved.

Moreover, sagging that occurs after the surgery can make a person look older or less aesthetically pleasing, ultimately diminishing the effectiveness of the procedure.

Therefore, if cheek sagging is anticipated, it is crucial to take proactive measures to prevent it.

The occurrence of cheek sagging is influenced by both surgical factors and the patient's condition.

It is most likely to happen when there is significant zygomatic reduction and the patient has low skin elasticity.

In the past, it was common to consider lifting only after swelling subsided and recovery from contouring surgery was complete, typically around 6 months.

However, nowadays, many patients opt for lifting simultaneously with contouring surgery.

Among the patients undergoing zygomatic reduction surgery at our clinic, those in older age groups often already experience sagging before the surgery.

As a result, the number of patients opting for incisional lifting procedures, such as mini-lifting or minimal incision lifting, has been increasing.

From the perspective of the surgeon performing the lifting, it can be challenging to perform the procedure simultaneously with the contouring surgery when there is still significant swelling.

Due to the swelling, it’s difficult to achieve sufficient tightening, and after the swelling subsides, sagging may remain.

Fortunately, Dr. Park Jong-rim takes extra care to minimize swelling during the procedure, including meticulous dissection, allowing for the simultaneous performance of lifting without any concerns.


Although this is not zygomatic reduction surgery, but rather mandibular angle surgery, in some cases, after the bone is properly reshaped, the soft tissue (skin and fat) must also be sculpted to match the new contour in order to achieve a beautiful face.

When lifting is performed alongside the surgery, there are unexpected benefits. By tightening the skin, the space for swelling is reduced, leading to less swelling in the lower part of the face.

Of course, this applies when the surgery is done properly. ^^

Make sure to meet a good doctor and receive a great surgery!


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