Chin Augmentation in Chicagoland- Shape Your Chin to Look and Feel Good

Chin augmentation is cosmetic surgery that reshapes and increases the size of the chin to create a contour in proportion to other facial features. During surgery, implants may be used in the augmentation and bones may be moved. In the procedure, the chin is enlarged and lengthened with comparison made to the nose projection. Consultation with a plastic surgeon will help you find out if the procedure suits you. At Body by Bloch in the Chicago metro area, patients with receding chins, a condition known as microgenia can benefit from the procedure.

Description

Surgery may be performed in the surgeon’s office, a hospital, or an outpatient clinic.

You will have x-rays taken of your face and chin. The doctor will use these x-rays to find out what part of the chin to operate on.

When you need only an implant to round out the chin:

• • You may be under general anesthesia (asleep and pain-free), or you may get medicine to numb the area, along with a medicine that will make you relaxed and sleepy.
  • A cut is made, either inside the mouth or outside under the chin. A pocket is created in front of the chin bone and under the muscles. The implant is placed inside.
  • The surgeon may use real bone or fat tissue, or an implant made out of silicone, Teflon™, Dacron, or newer biological inserts.
  • The implant is usually attached to the bone with sutures or screws.

• • Sutures are used to close the surgical cut. When the cut is inside the mouth, the scar can barely be seen.

What can I expect after chin augmentation?

After the anesthesia wears off, you will feel some pain but Dr. Bloch will provide you with pain medication. Your surgeon will also advise you to take a soft or liquid diet for a few days. You can resume work after 7 to 10 days. Swelling will also be present after surgery and may persist for up to 6 weeks. A sensation of chin tightness will be felt but will go away after a week. Numbness in your chin will continue for about 3 months. Follow-up care is recommended and your bandages will be removed after a week. Wearing the brace during sleep will support your face and ensure that you don’t injure your operated site during sleep. The final appearance of your chin will be more evident after around 4 months. Scars will remain inconspicuous if they were made inside the mouth or under the chin.

CONSIDERATIONS

Pros

• • Corrects facial asymmetry and deficiencies especially in the chin, cheek or jaw
  • Does not require procedures on other parts of the body (such as fat grafting from one’s abdomen to add volume to one’s face)
  • Procedures are relatively quick to perform and have permanent results

Cons

• • Infection is possible, which could lead to implant removal
  • Contour abnormalities can occur if implants shift or become malpositioned
  • Damage to facial nerves and musculature is possible

These are the top three pros and cons to weigh when considering facial implants. If you want to focus on what is unique to you, please consult with your aesthetic plastic surgeon.

Risks and complications of chin augmentation

All cosmetic surgery has potential risks which Dr. Bloch discusses with his patients during the consultation. Chin augmentation risks include:

• Anesthesia reactions
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Hematoma
• Scarring
• Damage to underlying tissues
• Changes in sensation
• Possibility of revisional surgery