Chin Procedures
A well defined chin helps give balance to the face and
creates a major part of one's profile. When people look
in the mirror, most focus on the size and shape of their
noses, their ears, sagging jowls, or fine wrinkling of
the skin. But even though few examine their chins with
the same discerning eye, having a “weak chin” is
certainly not an asset. Surgeons who specialize in
rhinoplasty, or surgery of
the nose, are often the first to suggest that changes in
chin size or shape may enhance a profile as much as
rhinoplasty. It is common
for the facial plastic surgeon to recommend chin surgery
in addition to nose surgery when the surgeon sees that
chin augmentation is necessary to achieve facial balance
and harmony. Fortunately, this is a relatively
straightforward procedure that can make a major
difference.
If you are wondering how
chin surgery could improve your appearance, you need to
know how the surgery is performed and what you can
expect from this procedure. This pamphlet can address
many of your concerns and provide you the information to
begin considering chin surgery.
Successful facial plastic
surgery is a result of good rapport between patient and
surgeon. Trust, based on realistic expectations and
exacting medical expertise, develops in the consulting
stages before surgery. Your surgeon can answer specific
questions about your specific needs.
As with all elective
surgery, good health and realistic expectations are
prerequisites. It is also key to understand all aspects
of the surgery. A pleasing, balanced profile can be
achieved by inserting an implant or moving the bone
forward to build up a receding chin, or by reducing a
jutting or too prominent chin. The result can be greater
facial harmony and an increase in self-confidence.
Another possibility for
improvement through chin surgery is submental
liposuction in which excess fatty tissue is removed to
redefine the chin or neckline. When there is a
contributing problem of dental malocclusions or birth
defects in the structure of the jaw itself, surgery of
the jaw can improve the form and function of the lower
face and greatly enhance appearance.
Your consultation can
help you decide on the type of surgery that addresses
your concerns. Your surgeon can also provide information
on new medical techniques for chin surgery and offer
recommendations for supplementary surgery that can
ensure the greatest improvement.
Whether you are interested in chin surgery for
functional or cosmetic reasons, your choice of a
qualified facial plastic surgeon is extremely important.
During the consultation, your surgeon will thoroughly
examine your chin and jaw to pinpoint problems. In some
instances, the surgeon will suggest chin surgery as a
supplement to rhinoplasty
because a small chin can make the nose appear larger.
Your surgeon will weigh other factors that could
influence the outcome of surgery such as age, skin type,
and attitudes toward surgery. The surgical procedure
will be described in detail along with reasonable
projections. If you opt for surgery, your surgeon will
describe the technique indicated, the type of anesthesia
to be used, the surgical facility, any additional
surgery, and risks and costs.
To augment the chin, the
surgeon begins by making an incision either in the
natural crease line just under the chin or inside the
mouth, where gum and lower lip meet. By gently
stretching this tissue, the surgeon creates a space
where an implant can be inserted. This implant, made of
synthetic material that feels much like natural tissue
normally found in the chin, is available in a wide
variety of sizes and shapes. This allows custom fitting
of the implant to the configurations of the patient's
face. After implantation, the surgeon uses fine sutures
to close the incision. When the incision is inside the
mouth, no scarring is visible. If the incision is under
the chin, the scar is usually imperceptible.
In chin reduction
surgery, incisions are made either in the mouth or under
the chin. The surgeon sculpts the bone to a more
pleasing size. For orthognathic surgery, the surgeon
will make an incision inside the mouth and reposition
the facial bones. The procedure, depending on the extent
of the work, takes from less than an hour to
approximately three hours.
Immediately after surgery, the surgeon usually applies a
dressing that will remain in place for two to three
days. You will experience some tenderness.
Post-operative discomfort can be controlled with
prescribed medications. Chewing will probably be limited
immediately after chin surgery, and a liquid and soft
food diet may be required for a few days after surgery.
Most patients feel a stretched, tight sensation after
the surgery, but this usually subsides in a week.
After approximately six
weeks, most swelling will be gone, and you can enjoy the
results of your procedure. Rigorous activity may be
prohibited for the first few weeks after surgery. Normal
activity can be resumed after approximately ten days.
Facial plastic surgery
makes it possible to enhance your appearance and
eliminate signs of premature aging that undermine
self-confidence. By changing how you look, facial
plastic surgery can improve your self-image.
Insurance does not
generally cover surgery that is purely for cosmetic
reasons. Surgery to correct or improve genetic deformity
or traumatic injury may be reimbursable in whole or in
part. It is the patient's responsibility to check with
the insurance carrier for information on the degree of
coverage.
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