What is Mentoplasty (Chin Implants)?
Mentoplasty is a surgical procedure employed to augment the chin using implants or injectable fillers.A small or recessed chin can dramatically change the overall balance of the face. It can make a nose seem larger, the profile appear “weak” or convex, or a neck line rounded and short. Even an untrained eye will unconsciously focus on the lack of a chin because it disturbs overall facial harmony.
What are the doctor qualifications and training for Chin Implant surgery?
As double board certified and fellowship trained in both Head and Neck Surgery as well as Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Drs Jacob and Moulthrop have truly unique, advanced training in the complexities of chin augmentation surgery. There is no one template or road map for surgery. We have an advanced understanding of the chin’s form and function. This helps us excel at mentoplasty procedures.What is involved in Chin Implant surgery?
- Consultation. During the consult, we will perform a detailed physical exam and then discuss the intricacies of the operation with you.
- Surgical Procedure. Mild cases can be fixed with various fillers like Juvederm, Voluma, or Restalyne. In cases where there is significant recession, Drs. Moulthrop and Jacob may recommend surgical augmentation. Often times, we recommend that it be done in conjunction with a rhinoplasty, neck lift, face lift, or neck liposuction as it can complement these surgeries well if indicated.
- Post-Op and Further Recommendations. Patients tend to do very well with chin implants with little discomfort. After the first few weeks most patients will forget that they have an implant and it is very rare that there are any associated problems. Along those lines, if there were to be any concerns or desire it is not difficult to remove the implant.
How long does it take to recover from Chin Implant surgery?
Many of our patients are curious about the recovery time and procedures for chin implant surgery. Mentoplasty surgery recovery involves the following steps:- In-hospital recovery. Often chin implants are performed in conjunction with other facial procedures (Rhinoplasty), under general anesthesia. Typically, a patient will recovery from general anesthesia for about one hour after the surgery and is sent home from the surgery center on the same day
- In-home recovery. Patients will experience mild to moderate swelling and typically minor pain after chin implant surgery. Typically, the sensation of “feeling the implant” will diminish after the first two weeks. Limited physical activity will be recommended in the first two weeks with return of full activity after one month.
- Follow-up consultations. Patients will follow up in 5-7 days for suture removal from the incision that is located under the chin to place the implant. The next visit will then be 3-4 weeks after swelling has subsided. Another follow up may be scheduled 2-3 months later.
What are the side effects from Chin Implant surgery?
- You may experience the following side effects:
- Minor swelling and stiffness in of the area of the chin implant. Sometimes these can result in changes in mouth and lower lip position and/or movement-“feeling the implant”.
- Temporary numbness of the lower lip and chin
- Implant malposition once swelling has resolved but this is rare and implant can be repositioned and/or removed.
- Infection of implant. This can be treated with antibiotics and if necessary the implant can be removed typically without much difficulty. We recommend using an incision below the chin versus an incision in the mouth to limit the risk of infection.
Please contact us at our New Orleans facial plastic surgery facility to schedule your chin implant consultation.
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