Chin Augmentation Surgery - How It's Done

What Happens During Chin Augmentation Surgery

How Chin Augmentation Surgery Is Done

1. Anesthesia Is Administered

   Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Anesthesia for chin augmentation surgery may be in the form of general anesthesia or a combination of local anesthesia and intravenous sedation. Your surgeon will recommend the best choice for you.

2. Incisions Are Made

   Mentoplasty incisions are generally placed either inside the mouth, at the intersection of the gum and lower lip, or under the chin in the natural crease line where it will be well hidden. Once inside, the surgeon creates a space where an implant can be inserted by gently and precisely stretching the tissue.

3. Chin Implant Is Inserted and Positioned Underneath the Skin

   After your surgeon makes the incisions, the implant is inserted and placed precisely to give the best and most natural aesthetic result. Your surgeon may sit you up on the operating table to examine your appearance before fixing the implant in place. This step helps to ensure good placement and symmetry.

4. Chin Implant Is Fixed in Place

   A solid implant is secured in place either by attaching it (with sutures or screws) to soft tissue or bone, or by creating a very close-fitting “pocket” of tissue around the implant which holds the implant in its desired position. Porous implants are secured in place via a process by which the patient’s natural tissue grows into the pores of the implant.

5. Incisions Are Closed

   Incisions are closed with sutures. Bandages may or may not be applied to the closed incision if it has been placed under the chin. Some sutures (like those inside the mouth) will dissolve on their own after a few weeks. Others may need to be removed by your doctor at a follow-up visit. Tape may also be applied to the skin to assist in holding the implant in place during normal post-operative swelling.

6. Post-Op Care and Instructions

   After surgery, you will be taken to a recovery area where you will be monitored by surgical staff. Chin augmentation surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis, although in some cases an overnight hospital stay may be recommended. After surgery, it is best to have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours.

   If your incisions were placed in the mouth, you will be restricted to a soft diet for a few days following surgery, and will need to rinse your mouth after eating to keep the sutures clean.

Learn More About Chin Augmentation Surgery

To find out more about chin augmentation risks, benefits, and costs, read Chin Augmentation Surgery: What You Need to Know.

See plastic surgery before and after photos.

_Sources:

_{Chin Augmentation Surgery, American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; http://www.surgery.org/public/procedures/chin_augmentation}

_{Facial Implants, American Society of Plastic Surgeons; http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Patients_and_Consumers/Procedures/Cosmetic_Procedures/Facial_Implants.html}

_{Facial Implants, American Society for Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery; http://www.surgery.org/media/procedure-facts/facial-implants}

_{Mentoplasty, Consumer Information Sheet, American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery, 2000}