Top Things To Know About Facial Implants

Facial implants may not be the top requested plastic surgery procedure, but they can definitely offer tremendous aesthetic benefits to the right patients. For those interested in adding tissue, volume, or definition to specific facial structures, facial implants can be just the solution they need. If you’ve been considering facial implants, start by booking a consultation with a credentialed plastic surgeon. In the meantime, consider these quick facts about facial implants and what they can offer to you as a patient.

#1 – Facial Implants Are Offered in Three Varieties

Just as each piece of the facial structure varies, so do the available implants. There are three different types of implants designed to enhance the three major soft-tissue spots on the face: chin implants, jaw implants, and cheek implants. Once your plastic surgeon has been able to evaluate your facial structure, he can determine which facial implants will best suit you. Each of the types offers specific benefits:

  • Chin implants can increase both the size and projection of your chin. Often, they are used to balance the chin with other prominent facial features, like a wide forehead or a larger nose.
  • Jaw implants are used to increase the width of the lower face, creating a stronger and more defined jaw.
  • Cheek implants can both lift and increase the cheekbones’ projection. They can also be used to replace lost volume or add definition for those with no contour in this area.

Each of these varieties can also be customized by material, contour, and size to best suit the proportions of the patient’s existing facial features. Given the amazing range of variety in facial implants, it’s easy to see how every single procedure can be tailored completely to the patient.

#2 – Facial Implants Are Totally Biocompatible

While the idea of inserting foreign material into the face can be off-putting to some, facial implants are comprised of only the safest and most biocompatible materials possible. These materials are specially designed to be placed inside the body without disrupting any of its natural processes or causing chemical reactions. The rate of rejection of facial implants is incredibly low and have been for decades, since the introduction of silastic implants to the market. These are the most widely used type of facial implant today, having evolved from years of research during the more than 60 years that facial implants have been used.

#3 – Facial Implants Can Help Reverse Aging

As the aging process takes over the human body, many unwanted changes begin happening to the face in particular. Gravity can cause soft tissue to sag, often creating jowls at the jaw line or the appearance of a double chin. The cheeks lose volume during this process as well, leaving the mid-face looking gaunt. Some surgeries can be performed to reverse the major aging signs, like a facelift or neck lift surgery. However, even these procedures can create volume out of this air, so it is often necessary to see other means of restoring a youthful shape to the face. For this reason, many plastic surgeons recommend that one or more facial implants be involved in a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate the face. By adding implants, facial surgery can create completely new contours that make take up to 10 years off a patient’s look.

#4 – Facial Implants Can Be Paired with Other Surgeries

While facelifts are a popular procedure to be paired with facial implant surgery, this is not the only option. Actually, the most popular surgery performed in conjunction with a chin implant is rhinoplasty. This nasal and chin surgery is a good approach for patients who want to make chances to their nose that would unbalance their chin. It’s also a good way to create a new overall contour the better suits the rest of the patient’s facial structure. Other surgical pairings could include a neck lift with a jaw or chin implant or a brow lift with cheek or chin implants. When you are being evaluated for your facial rejuvenation procedure, be open to the suggestion of pairing an implant with your desired surgery. If your surgeon recommends this to you, it’s always for a good, clear aesthetic reason.

#5 – Facial Implants Need Little Recovery

It’s true that some procedures require a few days of downtime and a few weeks for recovery, but not facial implants. The procedure itself is fairly quick, with just a few incisions placed near the treatment area to perform the insertion. Cheek implants are usually inserted near the lower eyelid, while chin implants are often placed under the chin. The procedure should take about 30 to 60 minutes total, at which point you’ll head home to begin a short recovery period. Typically, patients do experience discomfort and swelling near the area, with sutures removed within the first week. Restrictions and care instructions will be based on your individual case, but most patients make a quick recovery and return to work within one to two weeks. Remember: if you are receiving another surgery along with your implant surgery, your recovery time and potential side effects will change. Discuss the entire procedure with your doctor so there are no surprises.

Learn More About Facial Implants at a Consultation

At Weniger Plastic Surgery, Frederick G. Weniger, M.D., F.A.C.S. provides his patients with years of experience and knowledge during one-on-one consultations regarding the surgeries and nonsurgical treatments available at their practice. Dr. Weniger is board certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. He believes good information lies at the heart of success in all of his surgeries and interactions with his patients.

To schedule a consultation for any aesthetic surface or other procedure contact the office of Weniger Plastic Surgery today at (843) 757-0123. They are located at 350 Fording Island, Suite 200 in Blufton, South Carolina.