Chin Augmentation
 

The chin is a very important part of the face that people are usually unaware of. You will probably never hear someone compliment a person for the beauty of his/her chin. However, you’d be surprised what a good chin can do to your face or what a bad chin can do for that matter. A bad chin makes the face un-proportional both from the face view and from the profile. The nose looks bigger, the jowl looks bad and the jaw line is undefined making the face and the neck un-separated. Many people think they need a nose job, a neck lift or know there is a problem with there face but can’t pin point it to their receding chin. A good chin augmentation surgery can correct all that.
 

What is a Chin Augmentation Surgery?

Chin Augmentation or "Mentoplasty" is a surgical procedure performed to enlarge small and receding chins. The chin augmentation procedure creates the right proportion for the face both from the front view and the profile. From the face view the face has a better contour and the distance between the lower lip and chin is restored to the right proportion. From the profile the chin augmentation procedure creates a balance with the nose making the nose less protruding and the jaw line well-sculpted and defined from the neck.

Check non-surgical chin augmentation
 

Are You a Good Candidate for Chin Augmentation?

You would be a good candidate for chin augmentation if you feel the space between you lower lip and your chin is small or the contour/frame of your face is not well defined. You may feel that the lower end of your face is not proportional to your forehead, or your face and neck are un-separated. You may have a good nose but still don’t like the way you look in profile pictures. The chin augmentation surgery can address and correct these issues. The chin augmentation surgery can be done as early as 18 years old for females and 21 years old for males by which time the bone structure of the face is fully developed.

 








 

Preparing for Your Surgery

Before your surgery, Dr. Metwally will perform a complete evaluation with you. The size of your implant will be determined according to the proportions of your face and your desired appearance. Dr. Metwally will discuss with you the incision location and explain to you in great detail the procedure that best suits your case. You should wear loose fitting clothes and bear in mind that your outfit may get soiled. Do not wear jewelry, contact lenses, or bring valuables to the operating room. Remove all body jewelry from pierced body parts.

Duration of the Surgery

It takes Dr. Metwally around 45 minutes to perform a chin augmentation surgery.

Anesthesia Used

The surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia with sedation (you won’t be totally asleep but you will be relaxed and drowsy and won’t feel anything during the procedure). It can also be performed under general anesthesia (you will be asleep throughout the procedure). You will be ready to leave after 1 to 2 hours from the completion of your surgery depending on the anesthesia used.

 

During Your Surgery

During your surgery, an incision is made in 1 of 2 places. It could be made inside your mouth beneath the lower lip line, or externally in the skin just beneath your chin at the hidden line between your chin and your neck. Dr. Metwally proceeds by creating a pocket in front of your jaw bone. Your chin implant is then inserted in the pocket and the incision is sutured.

 


After Your Surgery

After your surgery, you will find your chin covered in plaster to provide support and to minimize swelling and discomfort. This plaster is removed 3 days after your surgery. You may experience some swelling and discomfort for a few days that can be controlled by medication. Dr. Metwally will prescribe to you an antibiotic along with a pain killer to prevent infection and alleviate pain. You may also use ice packs or frozen peas in a freezer bag for the first 3 days to keep the swelling and bruising minimal. You may have some discomfort while smiling and talking for the first 3 to 5 days, this will subside and disappear usually after the first week. If the incision was made inside your mouth, you will be instructed to eat soft foods that require minimal chewing for 7 to 10 days. You will also be instructed to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth in a certain way. In this case, absorbable stitches will probably be used and will be absorbed in about 10 to 14 days. If the incision was made on the outside of your chin, regular stitches will be used. Those will be removed a week after your surgery. Most people are ready to go to work after 3 to 5 days from their surgery. Sports that may contact your chin should be avoided for 3 to 4 weeks.

 

Seeing Your Result

You can see your initial result immediately after you finish your surgery. Some bruising may already be present especially if the surgery was done under local anesthesia, this will make your chin look a bit bigger but you can still see the result, it's just slightly bigger. The final result's appearance varies from one person to the other depending on many factors. Some people heal faster than others for reasons like age, skin color, tone and of course the surgeon’s skills. According to Dr. Metwally’s observation of his own patients, most of them see their final results after 4 to 6 weeks.