Marina Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery Dermatology of NYC
UCI Plastic Surgery
Sandra Margoles MD
Renaissance Plastic Surgery
Facial implants are plastic surgery procedures that are designed to improve the overall aesthetic look of the patient’s face. Various implants to the chin, jaw and cheek area can help to contour the face and provide for a more balanced look. Often times the surgeries are done in conjunction with one another or accompanied by other facial surgeries including a face lift, a brow lift or even in some cases eyelid surgery.
Facial implants are performed relatively the same way. The differences between the various augmentations are where the incisions are made and where the surgeon inserts the implants. A plastic surgeon will make an incision to either the upper lip, the lower lip or in the case of cheek implants, the lower eyelid is also a possibility. After making the incision the surgeon will then insert an implant into the area of the face that the patient is looking to enhance. The implant is positioned and any open incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches.
There are 3 major types of facial implants and are named according to the area of the face that they are augmenting. Jaw implants or jaw augmentation occurs when the plastic surgeon inserts an implant into the area of the jaw usually through the lower lip. Chin implants or chin augmentation is also performed by inserting implants through the lower lip, these implants are placed in the area of the chin. Finally, cheek implants or cheek augmentation is performed by placing implants in the cheek via an incision made to the lower lip or eyelid.
Length of procedure will vary from patient to patient but usually it ranges within the following time frames:
– Jaw Implants: 1-2 hours
– Cheek Implants: ½ hour – 1 hour
– Chin Implants: ½ hour – 1 hour
You should expect to feel tightness to the area that your implants have been placed. This is due to the increased size of your face. Expect some pain for the first couple of days after the surgery. Your surgeon will usually prescribe a pain medication to help you get through this time period. Swelling can take anywhere from one week to several to fully dissipate. You should also plan on taking a week off of work. In the case of jaw implants, your surgeon should provide you with a dietary regime that you can follow while your jaw recovers.
Facial implants performed by a board certified plastic surgeon are relatively safe procedures. However, with any type of surgery there are always risks to take into consideration no matter how rare. These risks include unfavorable scarring, infection, undesired results and a bad reaction to the anesthesia.
The cost of facial implants will usually range anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 per type of implant. Often facial implants are combined with each other or other facial surgeries such as a face lift to provide the patient with the best results. For more detailed costs, consult a board certified plastic surgeon in your area.
Before having any type of facial surgery performed on you make sure you are in relatively good physical health. Be advised that facial surgery will not change how you look; it will only improve on the current qualities of your face. If you have reasonable expectations as to the results of the operation and are in good mental health then facial implant surgery may be right for you. Check with your local plastic surgeon to discuss how facial implants can help you achieve your goals.
Finding a plastic surgeon to perform facial implants on you can be a daunting task. It is imperative that you consult with as many plastic surgeons as possible. Ask them a lot of questions and do not make the mistake of going with the first doctor you see or the one with the cheapest price. Choosing a cosmetic or plastic surgeon is a very personal decision. To help with your search please visit our plastic surgeon directory for 5 Star Surgeon Network Approval Rated™ Surgeons near You.