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What to ask · Last reviewed 8 September 2025
Written and maintained by the Clinics for Kings editorial desk·Edited by Morten Andersen & Fredrik Filipsson
Fact-checked against the cited medical and cost sources by the Clinics for Kings editorial desk·General information, not a clinician’s review — always consult a licensed doctor.

Cheek augmentation, what to ask first.

The questions that separate a safe clinic from a risky one, the warning signs that matter, and the extra checks that only apply when you travel. We never name a clinic, so use these to judge any you are sent.

General health information, not medical advice, and not a substitute for a qualified doctor. Always consult a licensed professional before making any decision.
7
Questions
to ask before you pay
Accredited
Facility check
verify on a register
Method
Ask which one
implant, fat, or filler
The one honest thing
Implants are permanent and add structure. Filler is temporary. Ask which you are being offered and why it suits you.
Quick answer

How do I choose safely?

Cheek augmentation is delicate work near the facial nerves and the parotid duct, so the key questions are who performs it, where, and which method they plan. Confirm a qualified surgeon, an accredited facility, the anaesthesia plan, a realistic written plan, and clear aftercare and complication cover, all in writing.

This is general guidance, reviewed September 2025, to help you assess any clinic you are matched with. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified doctor.

How to choose and what to ask

Seven questions before you pay.

A safe clinic answers all seven in writing without flinching. Vague answers, pressure to book quickly, and prices far below the market are the warning signs that matter most. We do not name clinics, so use these to judge any you are sent.

1
Who performs the surgery, and what are their credentials?
Ask for the named surgeon, their specialist qualifications in plastic or facial surgery, and membership of a recognised body. Cheek implant placement should be done by a qualified surgeon who does this work regularly.
2
Is the facility accredited, and where is the operation done?
Ask where the surgery happens, what accreditation the facility holds, and whether it can be checked on a public register. Implant surgery needs a properly equipped surgical setting, not an office room.
3
Which method is planned, and why does it suit me?
A solid implant, fat transfer from your own body, and dermal filler give different results and last different lengths of time. Ask which is planned, why it suits your face, and what implant material or technique is used.
4
What anaesthesia is used, and who gives it?
Implants may be placed under local anaesthetic with sedation or under general anaesthesia. For general anaesthesia a qualified anaesthetist should be present. Ask who monitors you during and after.
5
Can I have a written plan with realistic expectations?
Cheek augmentation adds projection and structure to the midface. It does not lift sagging skin or fix every concern. An honest surgeon explains what it will and will not do, and whether another procedure suits you better.
6
What does aftercare include, and what about follow up at home?
Implants are often placed through incisions inside the mouth, so ask about mouth rinses, diet, stitch care, reviews, who to contact with concerns, and how follow up works once you are back home. Get the revision policy in writing.
7
What happens, and who pays, if there is a complication?
Ask how infection, implant movement, or asymmetry would be handled, including cost and whether the implant might need removing. Standard travel insurance rarely covers elective surgery, so ask about dedicated complications cover.
The warning signs

Red flags worth heeding.

None of these alone proves a clinic is unsafe, but together they are a reason to slow down and ask more.

A price far below the market

A quote dramatically cheaper than everyone else can signal filler offered as if it were surgery, a cheaper implant, less surgeon time, or cut corners on theatre standards and aftercare.

Vague about the method or implant

A clinic that will not say clearly whether you are getting an implant, fat transfer, or filler, or what implant material is used, is a reason to pause.

A quote before any assessment

A real estimate follows a consultation about your face and bone structure. A fixed price offered sight unseen is marketing.

Guaranteed results or before and after promises

No honest clinic can promise a specific outcome or perfect symmetry. Claims that sound too good usually are.

Questions specific to travelling

The part that travel adds.

Distance changes the calculus. The questions above still apply, plus a few that only matter when you fly home afterwards.

Ask how long you should stay in the country after surgery. Early signs of infection or a problem with implant position can appear in the first days, so being near your surgeon during that window matters. Ask how stitch care and reviews will happen once you are home, and who is responsible if the implant needs adjusting or removing.

Plan for visible swelling, which is worst in the first few days and largely settles over a couple of weeks. Implants are often placed through incisions inside the mouth, so ask about mouth hygiene and diet while those heal. Keep copies of your operation notes and aftercare instructions in writing, since a local doctor treating a complication will need them.

Finally, check the language of your consent and aftercare materials. You should fully understand what you are agreeing to before you sign anything.

Get Matched with a vetted clinic

Now you know what to ask, compare safely.

Send one brief and we route it to vetted clinics that meet the standards above. They return tailored plans and all in prices. You choose, with no pressure.

Free and no obligation. Accredited clinics only. We never sell your details.

We reply within two working days. Your details are never sold.

How we make money: the guides are free and no clinic can pay to be named, ranked or recommended. We never name clinics. Get Matched is an optional service that helps keep the guides free and independent of any one clinic; using it is always your choice and you are never charged. How this works.

Common questions

The things everyone asks.

What is the most important question to ask?

Who performs the surgery and what are their qualifications. Cheek augmentation is delicate work near the facial nerves and should be done by a qualified surgeon who performs it regularly, in an accredited facility.

Should I choose implants, fat transfer, or filler?

There is no single right answer. Implants are permanent and add structure, fat transfer uses your own tissue, and filler is temporary. Ask which is planned for you and why, and what each one will and will not achieve.

How do I check a clinic or surgeon is accredited?

Ask for the surgeon's registration and the facility's accreditation, then verify them on the relevant public register for that country. A clinic with nothing to hide will help you do this.

How long should I stay before flying home?

Early signs of infection or a position problem can appear in the first days, so being near your surgeon then matters. Ask the clinic for their guidance and plan extra nights into your budget.

What should I get in writing?

The surgeon and facility details, the method and implant planned, the anaesthesia, the aftercare and revision policy, and what happens if there is a complication, including who pays.

Keep reading

Where to go next.

More procedure guides are in production. In the meantime you can Get Matched or browse all procedures.

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