Related Articles Featuring Dr.
Antell
If
you're considering facial implants 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.
Facial surgery is most often done to
bring the face into balance by building
up the chin, the cheeks, or the jaw.
[Back to facial implants list]
What
to expect from a facial implants
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.
[Back to facial implants list]
All
facial plastic 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.
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Planning
your facial implants 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.
[Back to facial implants list]
Where
your facial implants 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.
[Back to facial implants list]
Types
of anesthesia for facial implants surgery
In some cases, facial implant surgery may require
only local anesthesia combined with a sedative.
However, more frequently, a general anesthesia may
be recommended.
[Back to facial implants list]
Chin
implant 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.
A short incision under the chin or
inside the mouth allows the surgeon to
place a chin implant directyly on the
bone.
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.
Dr. Antell also has a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
from Case Western Reserve University. It is extremely
rare today for a plastic surgeon to have the combination
of both a Medical and Dental degree as each degree
takes four years of training. However, many of the
original founders of plastic surgery as a specialty
did have this background to better help them analyze
and reconstruct the face.
[Back to facial implants list]
Recovering
from chin implant 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.
[Back to facial implants list]
Cheek
implants 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.
Cheek implants are usually inserted
through an incision in the mouth and
placed directly on (or even below) the
cheekbone. These implants can vary
in size and shape.
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.
[Back to facial implants list]
Recovering
from cheek implants 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.
[Back to facial implants list]
Lower-jaw
implants 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.
Jaw implants are placed directly on the
jawbone to create a stronger, more
defined jawline.
[Back to facial implants list]
Recovering
from jaw implants 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.
[Back to facial implants list]
Getting
back to normal after facial implants plastic surgery
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.
[Back to facial implants list]
Your
new look after facial implants plastic surgery
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.
Facial implants help change the basic
structure of the face to give a fuller,
more balanced look.
[Back to facial implants list]
© Copyright American Society of Plastic Surgeons
If you would like to contact New York plastic surgeon
Darrick Antell, or if have any further questions
about facial implants or any of our plastic surgery
procedures, please use our contact
form.
Phone: (212) 988-4040
