Facial Implants (chin implants or cheek implants)
Facial implants are designed to augment, reconstruct, or rejuvenate your facial contours. They are available in a wide range of sizes and styles and restore contour and/or proportion to your face.
Facial implants can be used to augment your chin and jaw, to provide the sculpted cheekbones that you desire, or to supplement the tear trough area.
When to Consider Facial Implants
– If you have a weak, receding chin and wish to make it more projecting and improve your jawline
– If you wish to enhance the definition and fullness of your cheeks
– If you wish to restore contour and proportion to your facial structures made deficient by aging
– If you wish to correct facial asymmetry or deformities resulting from injury or congenital conditions
Considerations
Pros
– Corrects facial asymmetry and deficiencies especially in the chin, cheek or jaw
– Does not require procedures on other parts of the body (such as fat grafting from one’s abdomen to add volume to one’s face)
– Procedures are relatively quick to perform and have permanent results
Cons
– Infection is possible, which could lead to implant removal
– Contour abnormalities can occur if implants shift or become malpositioned
– Damage to facial nerves and musculature is possible
Are you a good candidate for facial implants?
– You have a weak, receding chin and wish to improve the appearance of your profile by increasing the projection of your chin
– You have an undefined or weak jawline that does not help frame your face or distinguish your neck
– You wish to enhance the definition and fullness of your cheeks
– You wish to restore contour and proportion to your facial structure made deficient by aging
– You wish to correct facial deformities resulting from injury or congenital conditions
About your procedure
How is a facial implants procedure performed?
– Surgical markings are drawn on the face to assist the surgeon in implant placement, and to indicate location of underlying structures to avoid.
– The patient is positioned supine (face-up) on the operating table and general anesthesia is administered, along with a local anesthetic.
– The surgeon makes a small incision near where the implant will be placed.
– A pocket is made in the facial tissue in which to insert the implant.
– The implant is gently inserted using a sterilized clamp.
– The incision is closed with sutures and may be bandaged or taped.
Facial implants for chin, cheek, jaw, and tear trough are available in solid silicone rubber. Standard four mm commercial shells are suitable to produce natural augmentations in most patients. For a more subtle effect, some patients choose a three mm shell. For patients who desire a more dramatic
effect, a five or six mm shell is used. Custom-designed implants can also be created, but are more time-consuming and expensive.
What will my facial implants incisions and scars be like?
Incisions are made near where the implant will be placed:
– On the underside of the chin or inside the mouth at the gum/lip junction for chin implants
– Inside the mouth or through a lower eyelid or brow lift incision for cheek implants
– Around the eyes (transconjunctival or blepharoplasty incisions) or inside the mouth for tear trough implants.
Preparing for Your Procedure
– Stop smoking at least six weeks before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
– Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications can cause increased bleeding.
– Regardless of the type of surgery to be performed, hydration is very important before and after surgery for safe recovery.
Aftercare and Recovery
How will I look and feel immediately following facial implants?
You will experience postoperative bruising and swelling, with mild to moderate discomfort for a day or two. A cold compress can be applied to the operative site to reduce swelling, bruising and pain.
You may be restricted to a liquid-only diet for one or two days. You will most likely be mobile the day of your surgery, but your activities will be restricted.
Recovery time frame after facial implants
It is vitally important that you follow all patient care instructions provided by your surgeon. This will include information about wearing compression garments, care of your drains if placed, taking an
antibiotic if prescribed and the level and type of activity that is safe. Your surgeon will also provide detailed instructions about the normal symptoms you will experience and any potential signs of complications. It is important to realize that the amount of time it takes for recovery varies greatly among individuals.
The first two weeks
– You should be able to return to work and other normal activities within a week.
– You should recline in a face-up position at a 45-degree angle for at least one week.
– Stitches are removed in five to ten days; sutures placed inside the mouth will dissolve in a similar period of time.
– You may be restricted to a soft diet for up to ten days.
Week two to eight
– After four to six weeks, vigorous physical activity can be resumed.
How Long Will the Results Last?
Facial implants are essentially permanent. All implants can fracture as a result of normal activity or facial trauma. On occasion they can become infected. These problems after facial implant surgery are very uncommon. Most patients can expect a lifetime of improvement after facial implant surgery.
Limitations and Risks
– Adverse reaction to anesthesia
– Hematoma or seroma (an accumulation of blood or fluid under the skin that may require removal)
– Infection and bleeding
– Changes in sensation
– Scarring
– Allergic reactions
– Damage to underlying structures
– Unsatisfactory results that may necessitate additional procedures
– Contour abnormalities can occur if implants shift or become malpositioned
– Extrusion of implants is rare but can be caused by excessive trauma or infection