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Facial Implants

Overview

Facial implants are currently used to augment skeletal dimension, to restore facial contour by expanding areas where loss of facial volume occurs, or to work in combination with facelift, rhinoplasty or other procedures as part of the current multimodality approach to facial rejuvenation surgery.

There are many implants available, manufactured from a variety of materials. They may help strengthen a jaw line or bring the chin or cheekbones into balance with the rest of the face.

At Shire Cosmetic Medicine we offer a number of different procedures depending on the patient’s individual needs:-

  • Cheek (malar and submalar implants)
  • Chin
  • Nose
  • Lip (premaxillary)

Materials

  • Silicone
  • Polymethacrylate (Acrylic)
  • Porous polyethalene (Medpore)
  • Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Proplast, ePTFE, Gore-Tex)
  • Mesh polymers (Marlex, Dacron, Mersilene)
  • Hydroxyapetite

Your new look

To prevent bumping or jarring your implant you may be advised not to participate in certain activities for several weeks, Dr. Evans will advise you when you can resume normal activities. It may take weeks even months for your new appearance to settle in, give yourself plenty of time to adjust to your new look. You may be surprised to find that most people won’t recognise that you have had facial implant surgery – only that you look better.

Assessment

Specific criteria are available for determining the cosmetic deficits and their corresponding implant solutions. The correct material, implant size and surgical approach needs to be considered. At Shire Cosmetic Medicine Dr Evans will assess these factors with the help of diagrams and digital image manipulation to meet your particular needs.

What to expect

Facial implants can enhance your appearance, if you are looking for an improvement in your appearance and you are realistic in your expectations then a facial implant may be the right choice for you. Implants are used to balance facial features, for example a teenager may want their chin brought forward so that their traits are better proportioned or a mature face may choose a cheek implant at the time of facelift to help restore a more youthful appearance.

Uncertainty and Risk

With all surgery there are risks that can occur. This can include a shifting in alignment of the implant, which may require a subsequent procedure to re align the implant. Infection can occur with any operation which could lead to the implant being temporarily removed.

Some of the implants are made of solid silicone and currently there is no scientific evidence that this is a harmful substance. Dr. Evans will be happy to discuss with you any current scientific findings concerning the type of implants you’re considering.

Planning your Surgery

When discussing your surgery with Dr. Evans be certain that you clearly express your expectations. It may be helpful to provide photos of people who have facial features similar to those you would like to have.

Be sure you understand the details of your proposed surgery, including the cost and what to expect during recovery.

If the surgery involves an incision in your mouth it is important that you inform Dr Evans if you smoke or have any dental or gum problems.

You will need to arrange transport home after the surgery and the anaesthetist will advise you when you will be able to drive if sedation is given, typically this is not for 24 hours post facial implant surgery.

You should also ask if you will need to refrain form eating and drinking the night before your surgery and if you should stop taking any medications that can cause bleeding such as aspirin or similar drugs 10 days prior. You may be prescribed antibiotics before and after the procedure to help guard against infection.

Where The Surgery Is Performed

The surgery is performed at an accredited hospital or day surgical unit in The Sutherland Shire or the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney.

Chin Surgery

Insertion of a chin implant is usually through a small pocket like incision either under the chin or inside the mouth (along the lower lip). This procedure can take 30-60 minutes. The skin is taped after surgery to minimise swelling or discomfort and sutures in the skin will be removed in five to seven days. If any sutures are in the mouth these will usually be dissolvable sutures.

Recovering From Chin Surgery

Typically you will experience swelling and some discomfort in the affected area for several days. It’s normal to experience some temporary difficulty with smiling and talking. Bruising may occur around the chin and neck. Dr Evans will advise you on restrictions on activity and post op care of your incision.

Cheek Surgery

Cheek implants usually take 40-80 minutes and the cheek is inserted through an incision inside your upper lip. After surgery there may be a suture in the cheeks and a dressing will be applied to minimise discomfort and swelling. The severity and duration of post operative effects will vary according to if the surgery is done on its own or in conjunction with another procedure. Most cheek implants recover quickly with minimal brusing.

Recovering From Cheek Surgery

Dr Evans will provide you with instructions on post operative care, there will be dietary restrictions and limitation on physical activity. These will vary according to the procedure performed. Your ability to move your mouth and lips may be diminished temporarily. Stitches used in the cheek will be removed in 5-7 days with stitches in your mouth incision typically being dissolvable and will usuallly dissolve in about 10 days.

Ask us a question

Simply send your enquiry here and we will get back to you with more information.

OUR PRACTICE