Midface Cheekbone Reduction for a Long, Wide Face: Eyes Look Bigger Too
Long and Wide Face, Dramatic Change with Midface Malar Reduction Surgery
A patient visited O.N Clinic concerned about their long and wide-looking face and relatively small-looking eyes. Many people who think their eyes are small first consider double eyelid Surgery or canthoplasty. However, sometimes the overall facial proportions, especially the length of the midface, can create an optical illusion regarding eye size.
Problems That Cannot Be Solved by Eye Surgery Alone
During the Consultation, I meticulously analyzed the patient's face and pointed out that the length of the midface was long and the face width was wide, making the overall face appear large, rather than the size of the eyes. "Your eyes are small. It's useless to do epicanthoplasty, lateral canthoplasty, or 360-degree canthoplasty. You'll just end up with a lot of Scars." I explained that simply enlarging the eyes with Surgery alone makes it difficult to improve the overall harmony of the face. Although one might mistakenly think that a wide face doesn't appear long, I emphasized that the face length is "very long," and this proportional optical illusion is important.
Goals of Midface Malar Reduction Surgery
In the patient's case, the key was to reduce the length of the midface and the cheekbones to balance the entire face. "I will make this (midface) as short as possible." This Surgery goes beyond simply shaving bone; it focuses on improving the facial three-dimensionality and proportions to create a natural and sophisticated impression.
1 Week Post-Surgery: Amazing Change
When checking the progress 1 week after Surgery, positive changes were already beginning to appear on the patient's face. CT scan results confirmed that the previously long midface length had been reduced by almost half.
"You see how long the midface is here? This length has been reduced by half."
The cheekbones were also effectively reduced, narrowing the face width and making the overall facial contour much smoother.
- Significant reduction in midface length
- Improved cheekbone protrusion
- Reduced face width and refined facial contours
1 Month Post-Surgery: Even Clearer Effects
During the 1-month follow-up, the patient still had some Swelling, but the facial changes became even more pronounced. In particular, the nasolabial folds, which were deep before Surgery, became fainter and even appeared to have lifted upwards. "It seems like the elasticity has actually improved. Do you know that?" When I mentioned the improvement in skin elasticity to the patient, they also responded positively, saying, "Do I look better now?" I replied, "Yes, you actually look better now than before the Surgery," confirming the successful results of the Surgery once again.
Additional Management for Adhesion and Elasticity
Additional management is necessary to maintain optimal results and promote skin adhesion after Surgery. "First, the very first thing you need to do is get Botox for your cheekbones. Normally, you'd get it here, but this area looks too wide." To reduce the muscles in the cheekbone area, further smooth the facial line, and enhance skin adhesion, Ultherapy (PRIME) 600 shots will be performed 3 times at 4-week intervals. This comprehensive approach, along with Swelling Management, contributes to maximizing the surgical effect by promoting skin elasticity.
I told the patient, "I think in 3 months, the Swelling will have subsided quite firmly. I think that will be the end of it," expressing my expectations for the final results. Midface Malar Reduction Surgery is a delicate process that goes beyond simply reducing bone; it considers the overall facial proportions and harmony to provide a more youthful and sophisticated impression.
O.N Clinic | Last Reviewed 2026-05-23