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If you're considering facial surgery...
Plastic surgeons use facial implants to
improve and enhance facial contours. Frequently,
these implants will help provide a more
harmonious balance to your face and features
so that you feel better about the way you
look.
There are many implants available, manufactured
from a variety of materials. They may help
strengthen a jawline or bring the chin or
cheekbones into balance with the rest of
the face.
This brochure describes some of the facial
implants currently available as well as
the techniques for their use. It will familiarize
you with these procedures but cannot provide
all the details which may be relevant to
your particular needs.
If you feel that one or more of the procedures
described in this brochure may be of benefit,
be sure to ask your plastic surgeon for
more information.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A FACIAL IMPLANT
Facial implants can enhance your appearance
and bolster your self esteem. If you are
looking for improvement, not perfection,
in your appearance and are realistic in
your expectations, you may find that a facial
implant is the right choice for you.
Plastic surgeons will frequently use such
implants to bring better balance to the
features of a younger patient. For instance,
a teenage girl may want her nose reshaped
or her chin brought forward so that these
traits are better proportioned. The more
mature patient may choose to have an implant
placed in conjunction with another cosmetic
procedure. For example, during a facelift,
a patient may wish to have implants placed
over the cheekbones to help restore a more
youthful appearance. Implants may also be
selected to fill out a face that appears
"sunken" or tired.
ALL SURGERY CARRIES SOME UNCERTAINTY
AND RISK
Facial implants can produce some remarkable
changes. Problems rarely occur, but you
need to be informed about such possibilities.
This brochure will touch upon a few, but
is not intended to provide a detailed or
complete inventory of potential risks.
A facial implant can shift slightly out
of alignment and a second operation my be
necessary to replace it in its proper position.
Infection can occur with any operation.
If infection were to occur around a facial
implant and did not clear up after treatment
with antibiotics, the implant might have
to be temporarily removed and replaced at
a later time. Other, less-frequent risks
may be associated with certain implants.
Be sure to ask your plastic surgeon for
a description of the risks associated with
the procedure in which you are interested.
Some of the implant materials are made
of a solid silicone. Currently, there is
no scientific evidence that this is a harmful
substance. Your plastic surgeon will be
happy to discuss any current scientific
findings concerning the type of implant
you're considering.
PLANNING YOUR SURGERY
When you discuss your surgery with your
plastic surgeon, be certain that you clearly
express your expectations. Your plastic
surgeon will help you determine what it
is possible to achieve. It may be helpful
to provide your surgeon with photos of people
who have facial features similar to those
you would like to have.
Be sure you understand the details of the
proposed surgery, including the cost and
what to expect during your recovery.
If the surgery will entail an incision
inside your mouth, it is important that
you inform your physician if you smoke or
if you have any dental or gum problems.
Your plastic surgeon will advise you on
these matters.
In preparing for your surgery, be sure
to find out if you'll be able to drive home
afterward or will require transportation.
You should also ask if you'll need to refrain
from eating or drinking the night before
your surgery, and if you should stop taking
any medications, including aspirin and similar
drugs. You may be instructed to take oral
antibiotics both before and after the procedure
to help guard against infection.
Your plastic surgeon will provide information
about these important matters during your
pre-operative consultation.
WHERE YOUR SURGERY WILL BE PERFORMED
Your operation may take place in an office-based
facility, a freestanding surgical center
or a hospital outpatient facility. Sometimes,
your plastic surgeon may require that you
stay overnight. Your doctor will make such
a recommendation based on your overall medical
condition and whether another cosmetic procedure
was performed simultaneously with the facial
implant surgery.
TYPES OF ANESTHESIA
In some cases, facial implant surgery may
require only local anesthesia combined with
a sedative. However, more frequently, a
general anesthesia may be recommended.
CHIN SURGERY
Insertion of a chin implant may take anywhere
from 30 minutes to an hour. During the procedure,
the surgeon selects 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 five to seven
days. If an intra-oral incision is used,
the sutures will dissolve.
RECOVERING FROM CHIN SURGERY
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
chin and neck. Your plastic surgeon will
instruct you about dental hygiene, eating
and any restrictions to your activities
after surgery.
CHEEK SURGERY
Cheek implant surgery usually takes about
30 to 45 minutes. 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.
RECOVERING FROM CHEEK SURGERY
Your plastic surgeon 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 lips may be diminished temporarily.
Stitches used to close the incisions inside
your mouth usually dissolve within about
10 days.
LOWER-JAW SURGERY
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.
RECOVERING FROM JAW SURGERY
Swelling is sometimes significant immediately
following surgery, usually peaking 24 to
48 hours afterward. Although most of the
significant swelling will subside over a
period of several days, prolonged mild swelling
may prevent your final facial contour from
becoming apparent for several months.
During the healing phase, your activities
and diet will be restricted. Your ability
to smile, talk or move your mouth in any
way may be limited for several days to weeks
following surgery. Your plastic surgeon
will instruct you about dental and oral
hygiene during your recovery.
GETTING BACK TO NORMAL
Remember, with any facial surgery, you
may feel and look better in a short period
of time. However, it may not be advisable
to participate in certain activities --
especially activity that may result in the
face being jarred or bumped -- for several
weeks. It's best to check with your plastic
surgeon about such matters.
YOUR NEW LOOK
You may not be able to accurately evaluate
your appearance for weeks, or perhaps even
months. Give yourself plenty of time to
get used to your new look.
You may be surprised to find that most
people won't recognize that you've had facial
implant surgery -- only that you look better.
*Information in this page
is brought to you by America Society of
Plastic Surgeons.
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