Chin Implant NYC | New York Chin Augmentation NYC New York NY

CHIN & FACIAL IMPLANTS

Top New York plastic surgeois board certified in plastic surgery, emphasizing aesthetic / cosmetic surgery. He performs facial augmentation procedures, inserting cheek, chin, and jaw implants.

Facial implants are used to improve and enhance facial contours such as strengthening a jawline or bringing the chin or cheekbones into balance with the rest of the face. If you are considering facial implants, this section will give you a basic understanding of the procedure.







Considering Facial Implant Surgery


Plastic surgeons use facial implants to improve and enhance facial contours. Frequently, these implants will help to provide a more harmonious balance to your face and features so that you feel better about the way you look.

There are many implants available manufactured from a variety of materials. They may help strengthen a jawline or bring the chin or cheekbones into balance with the rest of the face.

This information describes some of the facial implants currently available as well as the techniques for their use. It will familiarize you with these procedures but cannot provide all the details which may be relevant to your particular needs.

If you feel that one or more of the procedures described may be of benefit, be sure to ask your plastic surgeon for more information.

What to expect from a Facial Implant

Facial implants can enhance your appearance and bolster your self-esteem. If you are looking for improvement, not perfection, in your appearance and are realistic in your expectations, you may find that a facial implant is the right choice for you.

Plastic surgeons will frequently use such implants to bring better balance to the features of a younger patient. For instance, a teenage girl may want her nose reshaped or her chin brought forward so that these traits are better proportioned. The more mature patient may choose to have an implant placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure. For example, during a facelift, a patient may wish to have implants placed over the cheekbones to help restore a more youthful appearance. Implants may also be selected to fill out a face that appears "sunken" or tired.

All Facial Plastic Surgery carries some uncertainty and risk

Facial implants can produce some remarkable changes. Problems rarely occur, but you need to be informed about such possibilities. This brochure will touch upon a few, but is not intended to provide a detailed or complete inventory of potential risks.

A facial implant can shift slightly out of alignment and a second operation may be necessary to replace it in its proper position. Infection can occur with any operation. If infection were to occur around a facial implant and did not clear up after treatment with antibiotics, the implant might have to be temporarily removed and replaced at a later time. Other, less frequent risks may be associated with certain implants. Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon for a description of the risks associated with the procedure in which you are interested.

Some of the implant materials are made of a solid silicone. Currently, there is no scientific evidence that this is a harmful substance. Your plastic surgeon will be happy to discuss any current scientific findings concerning the type of implant you're considering.

Planning your Facial Implant Surgery

When you discuss your surgery with your plastic surgeon, be certain that you clearly express your expectations. Your plastic surgeon will help you determine what it is possible to achieve. It may be helpful to provide your surgeon with photos of people who have facial features similar to those you would like to have.

Be sure you understand the details of the proposed surgery, including the cost and what to expect during your recovery.

If the surgery will entail an incision inside your mouth, it is important that you inform your physician if you smoke or if you have any dental or gum problems. Your plastic surgeon will advise you on these matters.

In preparing for your surgery, be sure to find out if you'll be able to drive home afterward or will require transportation. You should also ask if you'll need to refrain from eating or drinking the night before your surgery, and if you should stop taking any medications, including aspirin and similar drugs. You may be instructed to take oral antibiotics both before and after the procedure to help guard against infection.

Your plastic surgeon will provide information about these important matters during your pre-operative consultation.

Where your Facial Implant Surgery will be performed

Chin and other facial implant surgery is typically performed in a private office-based surgical facility.  Experienced surgeons with established practices typically have their own operating room offering increased privacy and safety. The procedure is typically 30 minutes to an hour long, under local anesthesia with sedation (twilight sleep).

Types of anesthesia for Facial Implant Surgery

Nearly all chin and other facial implant surgeries are performed with local anesthesia and sedation (twilight sleep).  The medicines used are similar to what are used for a colonoscopy and the patients recover quickly as these medicines are short acting.

Considering Chin Implant Surgery

Insertion of a chin implant may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. During the procedure, the surgeon selects the proper size and shape implant to enhance your appearance and inserts it into a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The small incision to create the pocket and insert the implant is placed inside the mouth (along the lower lip) or in the skin just under the chin area.

There is no bandage if the incision is inside the mouth, and only a very small bandage is used when the incision is under the chin.  Most of the sutures are dissolving and if there are sutures in the skin, they will be removed in five to seven days. If an intra-oral incision is used, the sutures will dissolve.

Recovering from Chin Implant Surgery

Any bandage is removed on the next day and most people return to an office job within 2 or 3 days.  Even if you require tiny meticulously placed sutures under your chin, they are easily covered with tan tape which hides them. 

Strenuous exercise may be resumed in 10 to 14 days, but walking is permissible starting the day of the surgery.

Considering Cheek Implant Surgery

Cheek implant surgery usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. When cheek implants are being placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, forehead lift or eyelid surgery, the implants may be inserted through the incisions made for those procedures. Otherwise, an incision will be made either inside your upper lip or your lower eyelid. A pocket is then formed and an implant is inserted.

After surgery, a dressing will be applied to minimize discomfort and swelling. The severity and duration of such side effects may vary, especially if another cosmetic procedure was performed at the same time.
Recovering from Cheek Implant Surgery

Your plastic surgeon will provide you with instructions about post-operative care. There will be dietary restrictions as well as limitations to your activities. Again, these instructions will vary, especially if another procedure was performed along with your implant surgery. However, you should be aware that your ability to move your mouth and lips may be diminished temporarily. Stitches used to close the incisions inside your mouth usually dissolve within about 10 days.

Considering Lower-Jaw Implant Surgery

Insertion of a jaw implant usually takes about one to two hours. Internal incisions are made on either side of the lower lip to provide access for creating a pocket into which the lower-jaw implant can be inserted. Dissolving sutures are used to close the incisions.

Recovering from Jaw Implant Surgery

Swelling is sometimes significant immediately following surgery, usually peaking 24 to 48 hours afterward. Although most of the significant swelling will subside over a period of several days, prolonged mild swelling may prevent your final facial contour from becoming apparent for several months.

During the healing phase, your activities and diet will be restricted. Your ability to smile, talk or move your mouth in any way may be limited for several days to weeks following surgery. Your plastic surgeon will instruct you about dental and oral hygiene during your recovery.

Getting back to normal after Facial Implant Plastic Surgery

Remember, with any facial surgery, you may feel and look better in a short period of time. However, it may not be advisable to participate in certain activities -- especially activity that may result in the face being jarred or bumped -- for several weeks. It's best to check with your plastic surgeon about such matters.
Your new look after Facial Implant Plastic Surgery

You may not be able to accurately evaluate your appearance for weeks, or perhaps even months. Give yourself plenty of time to get used to your new look.

You may be surprised to find that most people won't recognize that you've had facial implant surgery -- only that you look better.