Sometimes, you may think that your inherited qualities don’t make the facial features that you desire. Well, you can improve the contour of your face using facial implants. You can achieve that perfectly oval-shaped face and have well-proportioned facial features.
Facial implants are solid materials that can be planted into human tissues. They’re specially made compatible with human tissues. Facial implants are intended to enhance the structure of your face and give your face a better contour. While any facial area can be enhanced with facial implants, the cheek, chin, and jaw are the most common areas for facial implants.
If you’re concerned about your facial features like a small chin or a square jaw, cosmetic surgery using facial implants may help you.
By: Dr. Eugene Kim
Any part of the face can be enhanced using facial implants. However, the most common areas of the face that are enhanced are:
Chin implants can help augment your chin’s size and projection if it’s not in proportion with the forehead and mid-face.
You may not have well-defined facial features because of your weak jaw or uneven angles from the ear to the chin area. Jaw implants can help enhance the size of the lower third of your face and improve the contour of your jawline.
If you have a weak projection of your cheekbones, it can be augmented with cheek implants. The implants will add volume to the facial areas that may be sunken or flat.
Who can undergo a facial implant?
Typically, people who are at least in their late adolescence may undergo plastic surgery with facial implants. This is because your head and skull must reach physical maturity to undergo this cosmetic surgery procedure.
So, if you’ve reached physical maturity and have concerns about the proportion of your facial features, plastic surgery with facial implants may help you.
You also need to meet the following requirements so that you’re qualified to undergo plastic surgery with facial implants:
The cost of facial implants varies widely. According to the 2016 statistics of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of cheek implants is $2,823. The average cost of chin augmentation is $2,225. These average costs only cover the cost of the procedure. Other relevant expenses aren’t included. So, before you fully decide to have plastic surgery with facial implants, you should think carefully about the possible costs particularly before and after the surgery.
Various factors can affect the cost of facial implants. These factors include the plastic surgeon’s fee, geographic location, and type of method used. In addition to that, you may have to shoulder the expenses for an additional procedure (if there’s any), surgical facility costs, anesthesia fees, medical tests, and medications.
Sadly, health insurance providers may not cover the expenses for the surgery. However, most plastic surgeons offer incredible payment options that may be within your spending budget. Try asking your surgeon if they have any financing options that you can avail.
A plastic surgery with facial implants must be done by a certified and expert cosmetic surgeon to accomplish the best results. An unqualified practitioner may lead to surgical complications and unsatisfying results. Keep these factors in mind when choosing a surgeon for your plastic surgery with facial implants.
Before you undergo facial implant surgery, your preferred surgeon will discuss with you about the following:
Your plastic surgeon will also assess your facial features and determine the precise type and size of facial implants that are best for you. The plastic surgeon will also explain the possible risks and complications that you may encounter in the process.
If you’ve got any concerns or apprehensions about the surgery, talk about it with your surgeon. What matters most here is your convenience. It’s also crucial that you understand everything about your facial implant surgery. Your surgeon will explain in full details about everything that’s going to happen. Afterwards, you’ll be asked to sign consent forms to confirm that you fully understand what your plastic surgeon has discussed with you.
There’ll be preparatory procedures done before undergoing facial implants. You may have to do the following first before the surgery:
Depending on the extent and complexity of your cosmetic surgery, the procedure may be done in an accredited surgical facility or a hospital.
Whether it’s done in an operating room or at the outpatient department, make sure you have someone to drive you to the surgical facility and back home. Depending on your surgeon’s discretion, you may be advised for a hospital stay for at least one night after surgery.
Your facial implant surgery may undergo the following procedures:
You may be administered with general anesthesia to give you ease from pain during the surgery. Your plastic surgeon may recommend the right anesthesia for you.
The cheekbones are usually the part enhanced with cheek implants. Typically, the cheek implants are placed through incisions in the mouth. Your surgeon will then adjust and position the implants properly to make balance it with your other facial features.
In a chin implant surgery, the incision may be done inside your mouth, at the crease that links your lower lip and gums. Another alternative is an incision just under the chin.
The incisions for jaw implants are usually done inside the mouth, back along the jawline, and at the fold where the inside of your cheek and gums join.
After your surgeon achieves your desired enhancement and result, your incisions will be stitched using absorbable sutures. These will be removed within two weeks time after your plastic surgery.
During your recovery period, you may be advised to wear bandages or dressings to prevent infection on the surgical site. These protective dressings will also support the implant’s position during its initial healing process.
You may expect visible swelling on the surgical site, and it may take several months to recover. Your surgeon will prescribe medications to relieve your pain, prevent infection, and reduce the swelling.
Your surgeon will also give you specific instructions about taking care of the surgical site. Then, your plastic surgeon will schedule you for a follow up to monitor the progress of your surgery.
The final results of your facial implant surgery may be long-lasting. However, in the recovery phase, you may experience discomfort. You may have limited facial movements, but it’ll be temporary. The pain that you’ll experience will subside when the wounds fully recover.
It’s advisable that you strictly follow your surgeon’s instructions if you want to achieve favorable results. You should also avoid doing strenuous activities as it may affect the healing process of your surgical site.
You may observe visible results in a few weeks after surgery. Depending on your body’s response to wound healing, full recovery may take several months to a year.
You should remember that undergoing facial implant surgery is your personal preference. So, you must carefully think about the possible risks and complications that may arise during the procedure. Your surgeon will discuss with you in details the risks and complications of the surgery during your initial consultation. However, you’ll be given clear instructions to obtain optimal results.
Well, you also have to consider the benefits that the surgery can give you. Setting a positive outlook about the surgery will help you achieve the results that you desire. You’ll then have well-defined facial features that you always wanted.