What is Chin Enlargement surgery?
Chin enhancement surgery, also called genioplasty, improves contours of the chin, neck and jawline. Typically, surgery involves placement of an implant around a patient’s existing chin bone to augment the size and shape of the chin and achieve a more naturally attractive balance between facial features. Chin enhancement surgery can provide a permanent solution to improve a weak or recessed chin.
How is the surgery performed?
Chin implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure, performed using general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. A small incision is made either underneath the chin or inside the mouth. Through this incision, your doctor will create space for the chin implant and fits it around the chin bone. Chin implant surgery alone typically takes less than 1 hour to perform; however, if you are having additional procedures, operating time will increase accordingly. Following surgery, the incision is closed with sutures and the chin may be bandaged.
What can I expect after surgery?
Most chin augmentation patients experience relatively little downtime and are back to desk work and most other daily activities within 7 days after surgery. Discomfort is typically minimal and easily controlled with pain medication or cold compresses. You will need to sleep face-up, with your head elevated, for a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks after surgery to help control post-op swelling and protect your healing incisions. Strenuous activity can typically be resumed within 3 to 4 weeks after chin augmentation. Results look close to final within one month after surgery, and are considered final after about 3 months, when residual swelling has subsided.
