You asked if you could get a sharper look with jaw and chin surgery which sounds like you are interested in chin augmentation or genioplasty/mentoplasty chin implant surgery. The terms Genioplasty and Mentoplasty are used interchangeably to refer to the reshaping of the jaw. Chin augmentation is a simple surgery with permanent results. To get the sharp look you desire find a plastic surgeon or two that offers a free consultation for evaluation, what to expect, final outcome, and expectations from surgery. Having a list of questions prepared for your office visit would be an added plus. Some important questions would be; where do you make the incision(s), recovery time and how soon can you eat, dental hygiene regiment and how long can you resume normal activities, risks involved and how much does the procedure cost and if the surgeon offers any payment plans.
Chin and jaw implants are two separate implants usually done in one procedure and recommended that they are performed together. The chin implant incision is under the chin or the inside of your lower lip and inserted into a pocket and securing it to the bone or soft tissue. This procedure will take 30 – 45 minutes if done alone and you will see the results right away. During your recovery period you will have mild swelling and soreness. If you decide to have the incision under your chin a small scar will be apparent, inside your mouth your risk for infection is greater due to the plaque and bacteria, but there will be no noticeable scar.
The jaw implant incision is made on either side of the lower lip. The surgeon will form a pocket in the lower jaw to insert the implant and then a tape will be placed across the chin to reduce swelling. Eating will be difficult for about a week and your jaw will be black and blue. The complete recovery time for jaw implants last several months due to low levels of swelling.
Most implants are made of silicone or tubular polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) as they are more porous, flexible and/or biocompatible. However there are other options such as AlloDerm or to a physician, acellular human cadaveric dermas as AlloDerm comes from tissue donors just after death. Sounds a little creepy, but the donor’s entire DNA is removed by using antibiotic so there is no foreseen rejection. Another choice is Supramid, a braided non-absorbable synthetic suture material in polymer shell or Marceline, a mesh-like material that provides a scaffold on the bone. (1)
During recovery you will have a moderate amount of discomfort that can be controlled with Tylenol w/codeine or an equivalent if you have a codeine allergy. This discomfort will decrease after 3 days; if it persists contact the surgeon’s office. To help recovery time sleep with your head elevated up to three weeks post surgery. Before surgery you should make arrangements for a driver not only for the day of your procedure, but you might need someone to drive for a least a week after surgery. As this is done on an outpatient basis you might want someone to stay with you the first night.
Other recommended dos and don’ts for chin/jaw implant surgery:
Don’t smoke (right) 2 weeks prior as smoking inhibits circulation
Don’t take aspirin 2 weeks prior as aspirin thins your blood thus causing more bruising
Do fill out all prescription medication prior to surgery
Do stay up as long as you can post op to minimize swelling
Don’t lift heavy items post op increase bleeding, swelling….under 5 lbs the first week.
Don’t strain going to the bathroom (ok)
Don’t hit your face ….have a partner that tosses and turns? If so, it is recommended that you sleep alone for the first week. (bummer)
Do shower or bathe day after surgery, just no direct spray on incisions
Don’t participate in strenuous activities for at least a month post op
Do clean incisions with hydrogen peroxide using a Q-tip at least twice daily
Do report excessive bleeding, temperature over 100 degrees, operative site turns very red or is very warm to the touch and/or increase in pain (numbness is normal and will dissipate within 1-2 months)
Do go to your follow up appointment post op especially if you have non dissolvable stitches.
If you opted for the incision under the chin your scar will be very small and will be minimally visible depending on your ability to heal. To aid the healing process you can use a micro-pore tape for three weeks, Vitamin E oil or cream (after scab falls off) or other scar moisturizing creams.
Some risks involving jaw or chin implant surgery are; implants move or shift which will require a second surgery to correct alignment, rejection by your body, resulting in removing the implant, capsular contracture that is rare, but in some cases scar tissue surrounds the chin implant causing pain and tightness. Surgery may be required to remove the scar tissue and/or an anti-inflammatory medication used to soften the tightness.
Cost of facial implants varies from doctor to doctor and city to city as the procedure includes, anesthesia, outpatient office fees as well as the plastic surgeon’s fees. An average cost of a single implant ranges roughly $2000 and up to $5000 for any additional implants.
Note: It is of utmost importance ahead of time to tell the surgeon what medications or herbal supplements you are taking, if you have ever been on Accutane, received radiation therapy to the head or neck, or taken steroids or immunosuppressive agents. Immunosuppressed patients (HIV positive, chemotherapy, diabetes, etc.) and patients with certain autoimmune disorders may not be good candidates for this procedure as the risks of poor healing and infection leading to permanent scarring and poor esthetic results may be much higher.
(1) Wikipedia – Chin Implants
If you are not into having surgery and would like another non-surgical, less expensive method to make your appearence look sharper, try a dermal filler. A dermal filler is not a permanent solution as you will need to readminister the filler from time to time. RADIANCE a dermal filler is known to last up to a year.
Sometimes plastic surgery can cause severe side effects. It may be a disaster for the person going through post operative complications. The surgeons should be very concerned with plastic surgery on patients with some other complications.
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