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What
to Expect at Your Consultation:
Facial implants can enhance your appearance
and bolster your self esteem. If you are looking
for improvement, not perfection, in your appearance
and are realistic in your expectations, you
may find that a facial implant is the right
choice for you.
I frequently use such implants to bring better
balance to the features of a younger patient.
For instance, a teenage girl may want her nose
reshaped or her chin brought forward so that
these traits are better proportioned. The more
mature patient may choose to have an implant
placed in conjunction with another cosmetic
procedure. For example, during a facelift, a
patient may wish to have implants placed over
the cheekbones to help restore a more youthful
appearance. Implants may also be selected to
fill out a face that appears "sunken"
or tired.
All Surgery Carries
Some Uncertainty and Risk:
Facial implants can produce some remarkable
changes. Problems rarely occur, but you need
to be informed about such possibilities. This
brochure will touch upon a few, but is not intended
to provide a detailed or complete inventory
of potential risks.
A facial implant can shift slightly out of alignment
and a second operation may be necessary to replace
it in its proper position. Infection can occur
with any operation. If infection were to occur
around a facial implant and did not clear up
after treatment with antibiotics, the implant
might have to be temporarily removed and replaced
at a later time. Other, less-frequent risks
may be associated with certain implants.
Some of the implant materials are made of a
solid silicone or polypropele or Teflon or others.
All options will be discussed with you.
Planning
Your Surgery:
Be sure you understand the details of
the proposed surgery, including the cost and
what to expect during your recovery.
If the surgery will entail an incision inside
your mouth, it is important that you inform
me if you smoke or if you have any dental or
gum problems. .
In preparing for your surgery, be sure to find
out if you'll be able to drive home afterward
or will require transportation. You should also
ask if you'll need to refrain from eating or
drinking the night before your surgery, and
if you should stop taking any medications, including
aspirin and similar drugs. You may be instructed
to take oral antibiotics both before and after
the procedure to help guard against infection.
Types Of Anesthesia:
In some cases, facial implant surgery may require
only local anesthesia combined with a sedative.
However, more frequently, a general anesthesia
may be recommended.
Chin
Surgery:
Insertion of a chin implant may take anywhere
from 30 minutes to an hour. During the procedure,
I will select the proper size and shape implant
to enhance your appearance and insert it into
a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The
small incision to create the pocket and insert
the implant is placed inside the mouth (along
the lower lip) or in the skin just under the
chin area.
Usually, the chin is taped after surgery to
minimize swelling and discomfort. Sutures in
the skin will be removed in five to seven days.
If an intra-oral incision is used, the sutures
will dissolve.
Recovering
From Chin Surgery:
You
will experience some discomfort and swelling
in the affected area for several days. It's
normal to experience some temporary difficulty
with smiling and talking. Black and blue marks
may be visible around the chin and neck. I will
instruct you about dental hygiene, eating and
any restrictions to your activities after surgery.
Cheek
Surgery :
Cheek implant surgery usually takes about 30
to 45 minutes. When cheek implants are being
placed in conjunction with another cosmetic
procedure, such as a facelift, forehead lift
or eyelid surgery, the implants may be inserted
through the incisions made for those procedures.
Otherwise, an incision will be made either inside
your upper lip or your lower eyelid. A pocket
is then formed and an implant is inserted.
After surgery, a dressing will be applied to
minimize discomfort and swelling. The severity
and duration of such side effects may vary,
especially if another cosmetic procedure was
performed at the same time.
Recovering
From Cheek Surgery:
There will be dietary restrictions as well as
limitations to your activities. Again, these
instructions will vary, especially if another
procedure was performed along with your implant
surgery. However, you should be aware that your
ability to move your mouth and lips may be diminished
temporarily. Stitches used to close the incisions
inside your mouth usually dissolve within about
10 days.
Lower Jaw Surgery:
Insertion of a jaw
implant usually takes about one to two hours.
Internal incisions are made on either side of
the lower lip to provide access for creating
a pocket into which the lower-jaw implant can
be inserted. Dissolving sutures are used to
close the incisions.
Recovering
From Jaw Surgery:
Swelling is sometimes significant immediately
following surgery, usually peaking 24 to 48
hours afterward. Although most of the significant
swelling will subside over a period of several
days, prolonged mild swelling may prevent your
final facial contour from becoming apparent
for few days.
During the healing phase, your activities and
diet will be restricted. Your ability to smile,
talk or move your mouth in any way may be limited
for few days following surgery.
Getting Back to Normal:
Remember, with any facial surgery, you may feel
and look better in a short period of time. However,
it may not be advisable to participate in certain
activities -- especially activity that may result
in the face being jarred or bumped -- for several
weeks.
Your New Look:
You may not be able to accurately evaluate your
appearance for weeks, or perhaps even months.
Give yourself plenty of time to get used to
your new look.
You may be surprised to find that most people
won't recognize that you've had facial implant
surgery -- only that you look better.
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