Genioplasty or as it is also called mentoplasty allows you to change the size, shape of the chin, correct facial features with a massive, asymmetric, elongated or too small chin, slanted lower part.
Depending on the desired result, chin correction can be performed with internal or external surgical access. With external access, the incision is made in the area of the skin fold under the chin. With internal — in the area where the lips pass into the gums. This access is less traumatic, does not leave visible scars after surgery, reduces the recovery time. In any variant of the surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and lasts 1-2 hours, depending on the complexity.
CHIN AUGMENTATION
An underdeveloped chin makes the face look excessively tapered downward when viewed from the front and slanted when viewed from the side. This disharmony of the chin with other facial features can significantly distort the face as a whole. Substantial chin augmentation is possible through implant placement or bone grafting. Chin implants are made of dense silicone and other materials. The implant is inserted through an intraoral incision, in this case there is no postoperative scar on the skin surface.
Bone grafting is performed by controlled sawing of the jawbone or even bilateral sawing of the mandible, after which the separated fragment is pulled forward and fixed in its new position. This surgery is also performed without external incisions, but post-operative rehabilitation here will be more difficult and longer than with an implant.
Minor chin augmentation can be performed with a small implant or lipofilling, injections of hyaluronic acid-based fillers or threads.
CHIN CORRECTION USING YOUR OWN FAT
Lipofilling is a minimally traumatic method of chin augmentation using your own fatty tissue. With this technique, the chin has soft, natural contours, however, a certain percentage of fatty tissue will dissolve over the next 4-6 months after surgery.
CHIN REDUCTION
An overly massive, protruding chin can also disrupt the harmony of facial features. In this case, a part of the chin bone is removed. When reducing the chin, the incisions are made in the same way as in the case of enlargement, through an incision inside the mouth, and rehabilitation can be quite long and accompanied by pronounced swelling.
CHIN ASYMMETRY CORRECTION
A reason to turn to plastic surgery can be, for example, congenital asymmetry of the chin, when one half of it is more developed than the other. To correct the irregular shape of the chin can be used individually made asymmetric implants, bone grafting, and if the asymmetry is not too strongly marked — lipofilling and synthetic fillers.
DOUBLE CHIN PLASTY AND NECK PLASTY
A “double chin” or “second chin” can also significantly burden the contour of the lower part of the face. The correction method depends on the nature of the origin of the defect. In case of excess subcutaneous adipose tissue, liposuction is used. The skin remaining after removing excess fat usually shrinks well, ultimately forming an even contour of the area under the chin and an aesthetic chin-cervical angle. Liposuction is relatively low-traumatic, does not require long-term postoperative rehabilitation, but can still give a good effect. In case of age-related changes and sagging of the neck, the subcutaneous muscle of the neck is tightened (most often in combination with a lift of the lower third of the face) and is often combined with liposuction. This “double chin lift” is a more traumatic surgery, and immediately after the surgery, hemorrhages appear on the skin of the neck and swelling develops, which goes away within a month.
My patients often ask whether malocclusion is a contraindication to chin surgery. It’s not! But a consultation with an orthodontist may be required.
The surgery will have to be waived in the following cases:
- Under 18 years of age, except to repair the effects of trauma;
- Mental disorders, including borderline personality disorder;
- exacerbation and decompensation of severe somatic pathologies;
- uncertainty about the need for surgery or unrealistic expectations;
- acute and chronic diseases of internal organs;
- oncological diseases of any localization;
- autoimmune diseases;
- dermatologic diseases (inflammatory, infectious, fungal);
- herpes-virus infection in the stage of exacerbation;
- presence of acute inflammatory or infectious processes, acute respiratory viral infections;
- acute or decompensated diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, liver, diabetes mellitus;
- trauma in the area of surgery;
- congenital hemophilia or the state after taking anticoagulants (blood clotting disorders);
- endocrine disorders;
- severe deviations from the normal shape of the face, requiring complete facial plastic surgery;
- intolerance to anesthesia due to severe comorbidities, advanced age;
- the presence of allergic rashes, redness, etc.;
- period of pregnancy and lactation.
Depending on the scope of the mentoplasty (chin augmentation, chin reduction, symmetry restoration), the number of preliminary examinations will vary.
BEFORE SURGERY
- follow all my recommendations during the preparation phase, this is the most important thing;
- the key to the success of the surgery is the stable state of your health and optimistic attitude;
- do not hesitate to ask clarifying questions about the processes and stages of the surgery, which you do not understand or cause fear, it will add confidence in the successful result;
- postpone surgery even if you have minor symptoms of acute respiratory infections until you are fully recovered;
- smoking and alcohol consumption can impair your health and affect the rehabilitation process;
- if you are prone to bleeding or if you bruise frequently, tell me at your first consultation;
- one week before surgery, eliminate the intake of all dietary supplements and vitamins;
- inform me in advance if you are taking any medications, including oral contraceptives.
The most important stage of preparation for any surgery — preliminary diagnostics. Only after taking the mandatory tests and undergoing examinations that will determine the presence or absence of contraindications to the surgery, you and I will be able to discuss the date of the surgery.
Diagnostic examinations:
- X-ray of the facial skeleton and, if necessary, computed tomography of the sinuses;
- ECG with a cardiologist’s report;
- fluorography or chest X-ray;
- in the presence of concomitant diseases — the conclusion of a specialized doctor about the absence of contraindications to surgical intervention;
- An orthodontist may need to be consulted based on the results of the examination.
Labolatory tests:
- general blood test (not older than 10 days);
- urinalysis (not older than 10 days);
- coagulogram (ACTH, prothrombin, fibrinogen, not older than 10 days);
- blood group, Rh factor;
- RW (Wasserman reaction), HIV, Hepatitis B and C (HBS, HCV), (not older than 3 months);
- biochemical blood test (AlAT, AsAT, total protein, glucose, total bilirubin, creatinine, urea, electrolytes (K, Na), (not older than 10 days).
If minor abnormalities are detected, such as in biochemistry, the surgery is still performed, but after prior medication to normalize the indicators. If there are unforeseen, temporary or other health problems, the surgery should be postponed for your safety. Please do not forget to mention any “minor” health problems you may have.
For me, your health and safety are paramount, which is why I perform the surgery only when I am 100% sure that there are no contraindications and I know your full medical history.
10 days before the scheduled date of surgery, I recommend completely exclude alcohol and 3 days — smoking cigarettes, which worsen healing and can provoke complications, as well as negatively affect the final result of the surgery.
Cosmetic procedures that aggressively affect the skin (chemical or deep peeling) are not recommended 14 days before the surgery, and 7 days before — visiting a solarium. If possible, eliminate inflammation or irritation on the face.
Also for 14 days you should temporarily suspend the use of anticoagulants (aspirin, heparin, vitamin C, cardiomagnil, thrombo-ACS, painkillers and antipyretics) and hormonal drugs, including contraception. If it is impossible to refuse any medication, be sure to inform me about it at the first consultation, so that I can give recommendations on how best to proceed in such a case: to exclude the drug, replace it or leave it as it is.
The surgery is performed on an empty stomach, so on the eve of the surgery after 8 pm nothing can be eaten! After 12 at night do not drink, even just water! From coffee and energy drinks I advise you to give up at least a couple of days before the surgery.
Menstrual cycle does not affect the surgery, I recommend my patients to plan the date of surgery on the 6th-8th day from the beginning of the cycle. If menstruation occurs earlier than expected, be sure to inform me and the anesthesiologist.
ON THE DAY OF SURGERY
- When going to the clinic for surgery, do not forget your passport and all tests in printed form (make copies in advance if you need a second copy).
- Do not use perfume, cosmetics and any means with a pronounced fragrance. Leave jewelry, valuables and money at home. You will definitely not need them at the surgery 😉
- Remove everything from the nail of the forefinger on your left hand, including the false nail. This is necessary for attaching the pulse oximeter (a device to monitor blood oxygen saturation).
- Choose comfortable clothing that you will not have to take off and put on “over your head”. Clothing with zippers or buttons is best.
- If you have varicose veins, you will need compression stockings.
Take care in advance how you will get home from the clinic, because you will not be able to drive after the surgery.
On average, rehabilitation lasts up to 6-8 weeks and depends on the type and extent of surgery, the patient’s age and health status. During the recovery period, we will meet with you several times for preventive check-ups. It is important to follow all of my recommendations to ensure that your rehabilitation is as quick as possible.
POST-SURGERY REHABILITATION
- During the rehabilitation period you will need a calm environment, support and understanding of close people. The formation of a neat postoperative scar depends largely on you and on compliance with all my recommendations.
- The length of recovery depends on the extent of the intervention and the type of anesthesia. In the case of soft tissue correction with local anesthesia, you go home after two hours under the supervision of medical staff. In the case of general anesthesia and complex surgery requires a stay in the hospital up to two days.
- After genioplasty on the chin is applied compression bandage, which should be worn for 3 weeks. Drainage from the wound is removed on the second day. It takes up to 4-6 weeks to get used to the implant and tissue healing.
- In the first week after surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising of the cheeks and lips, moderate soreness of the jawline, difficulty chewing food and speaking. This is a normal reaction to this type of surgery. To reduce pain and discomfort, you can use cold compresses, take prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics. Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent secondary infection.
- In the first few days, you may feel numbness of the lower lip and skin in the chin area. This is a temporary phenomenon due to nerve compression caused by tissue swelling. After the swelling subsides, the sensitivity of the skin and mucous membranes is fully restored.
- For the first 3 weeks after surgery, you can sleep only on your back with an elevated headboard. Baths, saunas, change of climate to a hotter one, physical exertion should be completely excluded for 3 months after surgery.
- It is better to eat warm liquid and mushy food, avoiding spicy, hot, hard foods, irritating drinks and dishes that require careful chewing. It is important to brush your teeth regularly and rinse your mouth after each meal.
You deserve to be the best version of yourself, and my qualifications and experience guarantee a successful outcome! Just make an appointment for a free consultation, it will be the first step towards perfection.
HOW TO MAKE THE PHOTOS RIGHT
You need good quality photos for modeling (selfies are not suitable 😢, ask someone to take a picture of you with the main camera). They should be taken in good even lighting, on a solid color background and should not be blurry. Send photos only through the form below, as any messengers will compress the photos and degrade their quality.
Send photos in all the angles shown in the example below ☝ and make sure that the hair does not cover the parts of the face we are interested in.
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