Chin/Cheek Implant

The Day of the Surgery
Your operation will take place under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep for the entire procedure. Following your procedure, you will be monitored in the recovery room for about an hour, then discharged home. You will need to arrange for an escort to drive you to and from the surgery center. Patients cannot operate motor vehicles after surgery, and we will not place recently sedated patients into taxis for transport home. It is mandatory to have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours after surgery for your comfort and safety.

Insertion of a chin implant may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. During the procedure, Dr. Parson will select the proper size and shape implant to enhance your appearance and inserts it into a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The small incision to create the pocket and insert the implant is placed inside the mouth (along the lower lip) or in the skin just under the chin area. Usually, the chin is taped after surgery to minimize swelling and discomfort. Sutures in the skin will be removed in about 1 week. If an intra-oral incision is used, the sutures will dissolve.

Cheek implant surgery usually takes about 1 hour. When cheek implants are being placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, forehead lift or eyelid surgery, the implants may be inserted through the incisions made for those procedures. Otherwise, an incision will be made either inside your upper lip or your lower eyelid. A pocket is then formed and an implant is inserted. After surgery, a dressing will be applied to minimize discomfort and swelling. The severity and duration of such side effects may vary, especially if another cosmetic procedure was performed at the same time.

Insertion of a jaw implant usually takes about one to two hours. Internal incisions are made on either side of the lower lip to provide access for creating a pocket into which the lower-jaw implant can be inserted. Dissolving sutures are used to close the incisions.

The Post-Operative Period
You will experience some discomfort and swelling in the affected area for several days. It's normal to experience some temporary difficulty with smiling and talking. Black and blue marks may be visible around the eyes, cheeks, chin and neck.

Dr. Parson will provide you with instructions about post-operative care. There will be dietary restrictions as well as limitations to your activities. Again, these instructions will vary, especially if another procedure was performed along with your implant surgery. However, you should be aware that your ability to move your mouth and your lips may be diminished temporarily. Stitches used to close the incisions inside your mouth usually dissolve within about 10 days.

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