Overview

Facial implants are man-made (synthetic) substitutes for your body tissues, most commonly used to enhance the nose, cheeks, or chin regions. While your tissues, such as rib bone or cartilage, can be used for similar purposes, the risks and costs are typically higher. Facial contouring using implants can create a more harmonious balance among your facial features, enhancing your appearance and self-confidence without necessarily changing your looks to match an ideal.
The best candidates for implants are those seeking improvement, not perfection, in their appearance. Candidates should be physically healthy, psychologically stable, and realistic in their expectations. It's important to understand that no man-made substance is perfect and some individuals may not tolerate even the most inert substances, making the use of their tissues a better option.

Description

Facial implants are used to address imbalances where one structural element of the face, such as the chin, cheeks, nose, brow, or jaw, is too big, small, or prominent. These implants can be used alone or in conjunction with other facial procedures, such as combining chin augmentation with a facelift to enhance the chin/neck angle.
Facial implants are made of solid silicone, which has a long and safe history for human implantation, unlike breast gel implants. In your initial consultation, your health will be evaluated, your facial balance assessed, and alternative facial-contouring methods reviewed. The consultation will also cover the procedure in detail, its risks and limitations, the anesthesia used, the location where the surgery will be performed, and the total costs involved.

Procedure

  • Preparation: No food or drink after midnight before surgery. Pre-op medications should be taken, and transportation and post-op care arrangements made.
  • Anesthesia: Most facial implant procedures are performed under deep sedation and local anesthesia.
  • Duration: Surgery usually takes one to two hours but can vary depending on the extent of work.
  • Chin Implant Surgery: A small incision is made in the crease under the chin, and a pocket is created for the implant. Fine sutures close the incision, and no dressing is required.
  • Cheek Implant Surgery: Incisions are made in the mouth, tunnels raised to the cheekbone prominences, and implants positioned. Intra-oral incisions are closed with dissolving sutures.
  • Nasal Implant Surgery: Performed through an intra-oral incision above the upper lip or a small external incision in the columella. A nasal splint is applied for one-week post-surgery.

After Surgery

  • Post-Surgery Monitoring: Patients are monitored in the recovery area for a few hours before discharge. Deep sedation patients must have someone stay with them the first night after surgery.
  • Follow-Up Visits: Typically within one week, then six weeks and six months post-surgery.
  • Early Post-Op Instructions: Take prescribed medications and maintain appropriate oral and facial hygiene. Stick to fluids and soft foods if there is an incision in the mouth, and rinse with salt water, dilute peroxide, or mouthwash. Dissolvable stitches will disappear in 7-10 days; external skin stitches are removed in 5-7 days.
  • Swelling and Discomfort: Expect swelling and bruising, with discomfort controlled by pain medications. Most swelling and discoloration will subside within a month or two, but some swelling may persist for six months or more.

Results

    Facial implant surgery is a highly effective technique for enhancing your facial contour with minimal scarring. The results are robust and can dramatically or subtly change your appearance. Most patients are very satisfied with the outcomes. For examples of this procedure, see the Surgical Art Gallery.

Complications

    All surgery carries some uncertainty and risk. Possible complications include infection, implant shifting, and minor injury or bruising to the facial nerves. Infections may require the removal and later replacement of the implant. Follow pre-and post-operative instructions closely to minimize risks.
Disclaimer: Results may vary from person to person.

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