Mentoplasty, or chin augmentation surgery as its also known is a common cosmetic surgery procedure carried out to permanenetly augment the size and position of your chin. So if you’re considering chin augmentation Chicago then perhaps you have the same questions most people ask such as what type of anesthesia is used? How long will it take to recover after surgery? How is the implant inserted into my chin, and how is it secured there? Is it a painful surgical procedure and what if I don’t like the results?
Frequently Asked Questions About Chin Augmentation Chicago
First of all you should recognize that chin augmentation is a surgical procedure which does involve a scalpel and will take some time for your body to recover. Typically a chin augmentation is carried out under sedation with the sedation medicine delivered via a tube into a vein in your arm. As soon as the surgery is over the medicine is stopped and you will wake up instantaneously.
Prior to your surgery you will have a consultation meeting with the surgeon to decide on what size and position of implant you want so that your desired chin look is achieved. Visuals can be produced so you can see the end result and decide on the extent to which you want the implant. Usually a patient has grand ideas but once they see the visuals they pair it back to look more natural.
The implant is inserted through an external incision under the chin that is about half an inch in length and in an inverted v-shape. The scar will be minimal and because of its placement will unlikely be seen by anyone. The implant is secured by it being inserted under the bone periosteum, a dense layer of tissue naturally formed over of the chin bone. The implant is placed under this tissue and secured with dissolvable stitches. Over the first few months the periosteum shrinks back over the implant securing it tightly in place.
The implants used are silastic so they can be molded and cut to the size and shape required. They can also be removed later should the patient decide at any stage months or even years after the surgery that they no longer want the implant, or want it swapped for a different one.
Following surgery there will be some pain, and swelling, especially as the scar from the scalpel heals. There will also be some tightness and pressure of the chin. But after a few days the swelling should go down and the sensation of pressure will go away.
In terms of complications few are expected with chin augmentation, especially those where the insertion is carried out externally. For insertions carried out through the mouth, which is still done by some surgeons, there is a higher risk of infection, and there is possible movement of the insert upward which my cause the chin to look strange. There may also be numbness of the lips and chin for a short period.
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