Chin Augmentation (Genioplasty) & reduction (Mentoplasty)

Chin Augmentation

Chin Augmentation (Genioplasty)  & reduction (Mentoplasty)

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Chin reduction / augmentation is an effective way of dealing with the common problem of a receding chin or a prominent chin. It can greatly improve the profile of a person by making noses and overbites appear smaller and leave the face better proportioned, giving an overall balanced effect

People can feel very self-conscious and can become depressed about the size of their chin, at times feeling that their face is not in appropriate size/proportion with the rest of their face, surgery may assist in building a persons confidence.

Before you opt for chin augmentation/reduction, you should consider the result you hope to achieve.

It is important that your expectations are realistic, following surgery your aim shoul be to obtain a well balanced chin.

Consultation

Before the operation you should always have a consultation with the surgeon who will operate on you. This is your chance to ask questions about the operation. It is a good idea to bring a list of your questions to the consultation.

The surgeon will also give you advice on how best to prepare for the operation. If you are overweight, you may be advised to lose weight beforehand. Smokers will be advised to give up because smoking increases the risks of surgery, including delayed healing.

Many people find it helpful to take notes during the consultation, bring a friend for support, or tape-record the consultation.

The Surgery

The procedure normally takes between 2-3 hours depending on its complexity. This procedure is usually carried out as a day case and will involve an overnight stay in hospital. You can then normally return home the day following surgery

If you decide that you want to have the operation you will be asked to sign a consent form. This is to show that you are aware of what the procedure involves, including the possible risks, and give your permission for it to go ahead.

A jutting out chin can be reduced by removing some of the chin bone, while a recessive chin can be built out. In augmentation the surgeon uses a shaped implant to define the jaw. The implant is positioned beneath the skin through an incision made from inside the mouth or below the chin. Once the implant is in place fine sutures are used to secure it. The incision is made inside the mouth and so there will be no visible scar.

It is normal to experience slight swelling and bruising which should settle down within two weeks of surgery. Any numbness will usually subside after a few days and talking, yawing, and eating may be uncomfortable during this time. All sutures will dissolve within this time. If they have to be removed the surgeon will usually do this around 10 days after the operation.

Side-effects

These are the unwanted, but usually temporary effects of a successful procedure.

•   You may feel sick as a result of the general anaesthetic or painkillers.
•   There will be some pain and discomfort for a few days.

Complications

Complications are unexpected problems that can arise during or after the procedure. Most people are not affected. However, in rare cases they can be severe and even fatal.

The major complications of any operation are:

•   unexpected reaction to the anaesthetic
•   excessive bleeding during or after surgery
•   wound infection
•   developing a blood clot, usually in a vein in the leg (deep vein thrombosis)

Follow-up

You will always have a post-operative consultation with your surgeon to review the results and to check on your progress. Once you've returned home, you'll need two to six weeks of rest depending on your age and health. A week to 10 days after surgery, your stitches will either dissolve, or you'll need to have them removed.

What is the recovery time from Chin Reduction / Augmentation surgery
Most people are able to go back to work within a week of surgery. However your surgeon may suggest you take 1-2 weeks off work. A soft diet is recommended for about a week and strenuous activities should be avoided for up to 2 weeks. Any situation which might involve facial contact should be avoided for up to 6 weeks