FACIAL IMPLANTS (CHIN, CHEEK & JAW IMPLANTS)

About Facial Implants / Chin & Cheek Augmentation

If you are considering facial surgery, your surgeon may recommend a Facial Implant to improve or enhance your facial contours. The surgeons of Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery have been trained in the art of “framing” the face to enhance and harmonize all facial features. Some patients who are contemplating nasal surgery to reshape the nose will also benefit from chin surgery to balance out the face and improve facial harmony.

Other patients may desire to strengthen their jaw-line or bring their cheek bones into balance with the rest of the face. Some patients who are seeking a facelift or skin tightening procedure may ultimately need balancing specific areas of the face to look their best. If you have specific questions about Facial Implants to build up certain areas of your face, nose, chin or jaw, you may ask one of the surgeons at Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery. Our goal is complete patient education from what to expect pre- and postoperatively to specific risks and pitfalls of each surgery. We find that excellent patient education is the key to the most successful outcomes and not a high-pressure sales approach.

Are Facial Implants Right For Me?

Chin or Cheek Augmentation is usually performed to create balance andproportion to the face. Choosing to undergo this type of procedure, typically involves the use of Facial Implants. The implants can be made from silicone, bone or fat from a patients’ body. The implants are used to build up a receding chin or “weak chin,” add prominence to cheekbones, or define a weak jaw line.

By inserting the Chin Implant inside the lower lip (intra-oral incision) a patient avoids facial scaring. This type of procedure can also be combined with Nasal Surgery (Rhinoplasty) and Liposuction under the chin (Sub-Mental Liposuction) allowing for optimal aesthetic results.

Cheek Augmentation involves surgically inserting the implants through an incision inside the mouth. Many patients that elect to undergo this type of procedure also combine a Facelift or Browlift to their procedure.

Choosing to have Chin or Cheek Augmentation can bring overall balance and harmony to facial features. In addition, the renewed balance can greatly improve a patients’ image and esteem.

We invite you to consult with one of the doctors at Park Meadows Cosmetic Surgery to determine which procedure or combination of procedures is right for you.

Often Facial Implants can be inserted through hidden incisions within themouth, or under the chin or through incisions being used for other procedures.

Preparing For Surgery

At least 1 month before surgery
Stop smoking at least 1 month prior to your procedure. Smoking reduces circulation to the skin, impedes healing, and can result in major postoperative complications.

2 weeks prior to surgery
Stop all medications that can thin the blood 2 weeks prior to surgery. These include drugs such as Aspirin, Coumadin, Lovenox, Ibuprofen, Vitamin E, and multiple herbal preparations. These medications may cause bleeding during and after surgery.

1 week prior to surgery
Report any sign of a cold or infection that appear the week prior to your surgery. You may need to postpone your procedure to avoid unnecessary complications.

The day before surgery
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery. This includes water, ice, or hard candy. The only exception is that you may take your blood pressure or heart medication with a sip of water the morning of surgery.

The day of surgery
Plan to wear comfortable clothes to the procedure. Wear a button down top so it does not have to be put over your head.

Do not wear jewelry or bring valuables with you on the day of surgery.

The day before the morning of surgery you may wash your surgical site with regular soap.

Do not wear cream or makeup on your face the day of surgery.

You must arrange to have a responsible adult drive you home after your procedure.

What To Expect On The Day Of Surgery

When you arrive, you will be escorted to a preoperative evaluation area where you will be asked to change into a gown and will be given foot covers. Your surgeon and the anesthesiologist will meet with you before you enter the operating room suite. During this time, the surgical consent form will be reviewed with you in detail and special markings may be made on your skin at the surgical site. You will have the opportunity to ask any last minute questions.

Once in the operating room, you will be transferred to our padded operating room table. A nurse will start an intravenous drip in your arm and connect you to monitoring devices. The anesthesiologist will give you medication through your intravenous drip to make you feel drowsy.

When your surgery is completed and your dressings are in place, you will be moved to the recovery room. During this period a recovery room nurse will assure your comfort and continue to monitor you closely.

Your stay in the recovery room will last approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Most patients are fully awake within 30 to 60 minutes after their surgery, but may not remember much about their time in the recovery room due to some of the anesthesia medication. Once you are ready for discharge, a postoperative appointment will be scheduled and your discharge instructions will be reviewed.

You must have a responsible adult drive you home from the surgery center. This individual should have your prescription filled at the hospital pharmacy prior to taking you home. A responsible adult must stay with you the first night after your surgery because have been sedated.

Post-operative Instructions

Diet: Start with clear liquids and toast or crackers. If those are well tolerated, progress to a regular diet. 

Driving: No driving for 48 hours after your procedure or while taking narcotics.

Activity: Light activity only for the first 48 hours to avoid excessive swelling, bruising, or bleeding. After 2 weeks you may resume moderate activity such as brisk walking. Do not lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk for the first 6 weeks after surgery. After 6 weeks you may resume most normal activity including strenuous aerobic work and lifting activities. 

Work: Depending on your career and your rate of healing you should be able to return to work within 1-3 weeks of surgery. Your surgeon will be able to give you a better estimate depending on you physical and professional profile.

Wound Care: Keep your dressings clean, dry, and intact. You will have your first follow up appointment within 24-48 hours after your procedure, at which time your dressings will be removed. After the dressings have been removed clean your incision twice a day with hydrogen peroxide on a cotton swab. If crusting occurs along the incision line, apply bacitracin ointment twice daily.

Swelling: Moderate swelling and bruising should be expected during the first 10 days after surgery. To minimize swelling, sleep on 2 to 3 pillows so that your head and shoulders are elevated at a 45-degree angle. Cold packs help to reduce pain and swelling, but should be wrapped in a towel before they are applied to the face. Apply cold packs 20 minutes every hour while awake for the first 48 to72 hours. Do not apply the cold pack directly to your face. It must be wrapped in a towel. Application of cold packs directly to the facial skin may result in serious burns. 

Bathing: Once the dressings and drains are removed at your initial postoperative visit, you may shower daily and wash your hair. Do not use curling irons or brushes. When you shower do not allow the spray of the water to directly hit the incision site. Do not submerge the incision in a bath or swimming pool for 4 to 6 weeks.

Medications: Ask your surgeon when you may resume your blood thinning medication. All other prescription medications may be resumed immediately, as usual. While you are taking pain medicine, you are encouraged to follow a high fiber diet and take a stool softener such as Colace (available over the counter), as pain medications tend to cause constipation. Take the full course of antibiotics given by your surgeon, to help prevent infection.

Smoking and Alcohol: Do not smoke for the first several weeks after surgery as it impedes wound healing and can lead to serious wound complications. Alcohol consumption is dangerous while taking pain medicine. It has a tendency to worsen bleeding. 

Post-operative Appointment: You will be seen within 24-48 hours of your surgery for a wound check. At this time your dressings will be taken down and drains removed. Your second appointment will be scheduled 1-2 weeks after surgery. At the second appointment your sutures will be removed. 

Special Considerations: Call your surgeon immediately if you experience any of the following: excessive pain, bleeding, swelling of the face, redness at the incision site, or fever over 101°F.

Sun Exposure: If new scars are exposed to the sun, they tend to become darker and take longer to fade. Make sure you wear a strong sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection, and or a brimmed hat for the first 6 months after surgery.

Itching: It is common to experience itching or small shooting electrical sensations within the skin as the nerve endings heal. Cool compresses and massage are frequently helpful.  These symptoms typically resolve within 3 to 6 months. 

Swelling: It will take several months for all swelling to resolve. During this period your skin may feel heavier and thicker than usual. 

Surgical Risks: 

All surgical procedures involve some risk, such as the effects of anesthesia, bleeding, pain, and swelling. There are also possible complications specific to facelifts that occur in a very small percent of people. After reading the discussion below, please contact your surgeon if you have any remaining questions. 

Bleeding: Bleeding is usually minimal and well controlled during this procedure.

Hematomas: A hematoma is a collection of blood under the skin. Small hematomas can be observed and allowed to absorb spontaneously. Larger hematomas may require aspiration or drainage for optimal results. 

Infections: Antibiotics will be given to you prophylactically before and after surgery for several days to help prevent infection. If a superficial infection does develop, it typically can be treated with stronger antibiotics by mouth. Deep infections require intravenous antibiotics and or incision and drainage of the wound. This may initially result in a larger scar, which can be revised at a later date.  It is rare, but occasionally an implant may get infected and require removal of the implant. 

Scarring: All new scars are red, dark pink, or purple. Scars of the face usually fade as they mature within the first 3 to 6 months. Abnormally thick, wide, or depressed scars may occur despite meticulous surgical closure. In this situation the scar may be injected with steroids, placement of silicone sheeting onto the scar, or surgical revision may be necessary to achieve optimal aesthetic results. 

Numbness: Initially, expect some numbness on your face in particular along the suture lines. The sensation in this area typically returns within 2 to 3 months as nerve endings heal spontaneously. Some numbness and nerve damage may be permanent. 

Delayed Wound Healing or Wound Dehiscence: In some instances wounds take longer to heal than normal. Cigarette smoking, poor nutrition, and a compromised immune system can all cause delayed wound healing or wound separation. 

Skin Discoloration: Skin discoloration may occur after surgery. This may be revised after the healing process is complete. 

Facial Asymmetry: Motor nerve injury is rare. If it does occur it is usually temporary, but may persist.