Facial Implants
Facial Implants
Facial implants are surgically placed in certain areas of
the face to strengthen jaw lines, raise cheekbones, or enhance
the chin. These implants can help produce a more symmetrical
and balanced look to your face. They are made of a variety
of materials including solid silicone and natural fat deposits.
Working with the doctors at The
Metropolitan Institute for Plastic Surgery, you can
decide which type of facial implant surgery is right for
you and be assured of a safe and pleasing outcome.
Are You A Good Candidate for Facial Implants?
If you are in good health and have realistic expectations
about your facial implant surgery, you are a good candidate
for this procedure. It is also important that you understand
and feel you can manage the limitations that occur with
certain types of facial implant surgery. These limitations
include being unable to freely move your mouth or lips for
several weeks after surgery and maintaining a restricted
diet. The doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute
for Plastic Surgery will discuss which facial implant procedure
is right for you, outline the limitations of the procedure,
and make sure you achieve the results you desire.
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Meeting With The Doctor
Prior to scheduling your surgery, you will meet at length
with the staff and doctors at The Metropolitan Institute
for Plastic Surgery. You will have your facial structure
evaluated and will discuss in detail how you want your face
to look after your facial implant procedure. With the guidance
of the staff at the Institute, you will decide which type
of facial implant is right for you and the size, shape,
and position of your implant.
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The doctors and staff at The Metropolitan Institute
for Plastic Surgery will:
· Review the various facial implant options with you
· Clearly discuss the potential risks of the procedure
· Outline in detail how the surgery is performed and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure
· Provide detailed cost and payment information
· Discuss with you the current FDA regulations governing the use of implants
· Answer all your questions
You will be asked to provide:
· Details about your medical history
· A list of all medications you currently take including over the counter medications such as aspirin, vitamins, and herbal supplements
· Information regarding your tobacco and alcohol consumption.
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How The Procedure Is Performed
Your facial implant surgery will be performed
at one of the region's premiere accredited outpatient-based
surgical facilities: the Center
for Ambulatory Surgery, Inc. (CASI) or the Washington
Hospital Center, or at Sibley
Memorial Hospital, if an overnight stay is required.
The surgery can be performed using either general anesthesia
or local anesthesia with sedation depending on what you
and the doctor prefer. With general anesthesia, you will
be completely asleep throughout the procedure. With local
anesthesia, you will be lightly sedated and your face will
be numbed. You will be awake, but will be relaxed and will
feel no discomfort. The type of anesthesia to be used, the
length of your procedure, and the placement of your incisions
will be discussed with you at your initial consultation.
Chin implant surgery usually takes between 30 minutes and
one hour to complete. The doctor makes a small incision
inside the mouth along the lower lip or in the skin just
under the chin area. A pocket is created over the front
of the jawbone to hold the implant. Dissolvable stitches
may be used to hold the implant in place. The incision is
then stitched closed and the chin is taped to help minimize
swelling and discomfort.
For cheek implant surgery, the doctor makes a small incision
either inside your upper lip or inside your lower eyelid.
(If you are having cheek implant surgery in conjunction
with another cosmetic procedure, the doctor can often use
the same incision that was used for the other facial procedure.)
Once the incision is made, the doctor creates a pocket into
which your implant is placed. Dissolvable stitches may be
used to hold your implant in place. Your incision is then
stitched closed and a gauze dressing is applied. Cheek implant
surgery usually takes between 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
For jaw implant surgery, the incisions are made inside
the mouth on either side of the lower lip. These incisions
provide access and allow the doctor to form a pocket to
hold your implant. Dissolvable sutures are normally used
to hold your implant in place and to close the incisions.
The entire procedure generally takes from one to two hours
to complete.
Facial implants are made of a variety of materials. Occasionally,
fat deposits are used instead of solid implants. The type
of implant to be used will be discussed during your initial
meeting with the doctor.
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What To Expect After Your Surgery
| Activity | When |
|---|
| Shower or Bath | Day After Surgery |
| Back to Work | One Week After Surgery |
| Driving | Within a Week After Surgery |
| Stitches Removed | Five to Seven Days After Surgery |
| Strenuous Activity | Three to Four Weeks After Surgery |
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Immediately After Your Surgery
In most cases, you will be ready to go home shortly after
your facial implant procedure. Because you may be a bit
sleepy after the anesthesia and will experience soreness
in the area of your incision, it is important for someone
to drive you home after surgery. If a hospital stay was
required, you will go home the day after your surgery. You
may want to have someone stay with you for the first few
days you are at home. Your ability to open and move your
mouth will be limited and you may be on a restricted diet
for the first few weeks after your surgery. Most of the
discomfort you experience can be controlled with prescribed
pain medication.
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The First 24 to 48 Hours After Your Surgery
During the first 24 to 48 hours after your facial implant
procedure, you may feel tired from the anesthesia and sore
from the surgery. The doctor will prescribe pain medication
to alleviate much of the discomfort. Your discomfort level
will improve rapidly after the first two days.
There will be swelling and bruising in the area of your surgery. Swelling will be particularly pronounced after jaw implant surgery. In most cases, the bruising and swelling will subside within several days. However, with jaw implant surgery, the swelling will usually peak 24 to 48 hours after the procedure and your jaw may remain mildly swollen for several months after the surgery. Your ability to freely open and move your mouth and lips will be restricted and you may experience some difficulty with smiling and talking.
The doctor will provide you with specific post-surgery instructions. These
instructions will include dietary restrictions, oral hygiene
guidelines, and specific restrictions on your activities.
Your first post-operative visit is scheduled within two
to three days after surgery, with follow-up visits scheduled
at one week, two weeks, and one month.
The First Two Weeks After Surgery
You will notice a marked improvement in your discomfort level during the first week after your surgery and you can most likely return to work within a week of your procedure.
· Any bruising or swelling you experience will usually disappear in about a week, except for the swelling that accompanies jaw implant surgery.
· Stitches, if not dissolvable, will be removed five to seven days after surgery.
· The dissolvable stitches used inside your mouth usually dissolve within about ten days.
· Avoid heavy lifting and straining for at least two weeks and avoid contact sports for at least eight weeks.
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Resuming Your Normal Routine
Everyone heals at different rates and you are the best judge of when you are ready for certain activities, but the following are general guidelines:
· You can shower or bathe the day after your procedure, being sure to handle the area of your surgery carefully.
· You can most likely return to work or school within one week of your procedure.
· You can resume driving as soon as you feel comfortable doing so, usually within a week.
· Strenuous exercise can begin
about four weeks after surgery. Our patients are encouraged
to plan an exercise program and discuss it with the staff
prior to resuming exercise.
Things To Be Aware Of After Your Surgery
· The skin in the area of the surgery may appear shiny due to swelling. Within a few weeks, the swelling will disappear and the skin will return to a normal appearance.
· There will be significant swelling in the case of jaw implant surgery. Though this swelling peaks within 24 to 48 hours, mild swelling may be present for several months and may prevent your final facial contour from becoming apparent until the swelling goes away.
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What Are The Possible Side Effects
or Risks? Like all surgical procedures, there
are risks associated with facial implant surgery. During
your pre-surgery consultation with your doctor, your individual
risks will be assessed and discussed and it will be determined
if you are a good candidate for facial implant surgery.
As with any surgery, you can help reduce the risks associated
with your facial implant procedure by closely following
the instructions provided to you by the staff of The Metropolitan
Institute for Plastic Surgery. And, the doctors and staff
at the Institute will be with you every step of the way
to ensure a safe and pleasing outcome.
Some possible side effects include:
· Infection
· Permanent numbness
· Nerve irritation
· Implant Shifting
· Asymmetry
How Long Will the Results of Your Facial Implant Surgery Last?
Facial implants enhance the contour of your cheeks, jaws, and chin. The results are permanent if silicone implants are used. If fat deposits are used, the procedure may need to be repeated periodically. It is important to keep in mind that the skin and muscles in your face and neck will continue to change as a result of aging and gravity.
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Questions You May Have
· Are there other procedures that could be performed along with facial implant surgery to enhance the contour of my face and neck?
There are several surgical procedures that can help enhance the face and neck and provide a more youthful appearance. These include:
· Rhinoplasty
· Eyelid Lift
· Brow Lift
· Facelift
· Neck Lift
· Will my insurance coverage pay for my facial implant surgery?
Facial implant surgery is considered a cosmetic treatment and, therefore, is not covered by your insurance. You are responsible for the full payment for your procedure. Cost and payment information will be discussed in detail with you during your initial consultation.
· Are there alternatives to facial implant surgery?
Fillers such as collagen, hyaluronic acid base, hydroxygratite base may provide localized, temporary improvement. Transfer of ones own fat from another area of the body may also improve facial contour and form. This approach usually requires one to three procedures to achieve the desired result.
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