ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Zygoma reduction plasty

Zygoma reduction plasty is a type of surgery that helps make someone's face look smaller.

To understand what this means, think about a big balloon. When you squeeze it in the middle, the sides of the balloon get smaller. That's kind of what happens with zygoma reduction plasty - the sides of someone's face get smaller.

The zygoma is a bone in your face that sits just below your eyes and extends out to your cheeks. It's also called the cheekbone. In some people, their cheekbones stick out a lot more than they'd like, making their faces look wider or more prominent.

During zygoma reduction plasty, surgeons make small cuts on the side of someone's head, just above their ears. Then, they remove a small piece of the cheekbone, and reposition or reshape it so that it sits closer to the person's skull.

This all happens while the person is asleep under anesthesia, so they don't feel any pain.

As the person heals from the surgery, their cheekbones will look smaller and their face will have a more slender appearance overall.

Of course, like any surgery, there are risks and potential side effects, so it's important for someone to talk to their doctor and make sure they understand everything before considering zygoma reduction plasty.