Guide to Receiving Facial Implants

Cosmetic facial surgery gained immense popularity in the last decade with technological improvements and less invasive methods. Because surgeons provide outstanding aesthetic results with little to no risks for the patients, more and more people choose to enhance their looks every day. Finally, it’s not that hard to make aesthetic dreams come true and get perfectly sculpted cheekbones or jaws.

What surgeons usually use in facial surgery to give a cosmetic definition, structure, and contour to the face for aesthetic enhancement are facial implants. These materials are specially designed to augment, reconstruct or rejuvenate facial contours, and they do a marvelous job! If you’re looking into the procedure for yourself, we provide a detailed guide to receiving facial implants.

What are Facial Implants?

By facial implants, we refer to using synthetic materials such as silicone to enhance or balance the appearance of the face. The procedure is usually performed on a patient’s chin, cheeks, or jaw. Each implant is crafted to suit individual needs and add contour and structure to the face for enhanced aesthetic. Most people have facial implant surgery for cosmetic reasons, although the procedure is sometimes necessary to reconstruct facial features as well.

Types of Facial Implants

Facial implants are usually made of silicone but might contain some other substances such as synthetic polymers and composites. They are formed to each patient’s needs and come in these types:

Cheek Implants
Chin Implants
Forehead Implants
Jaw Implants
Nose Implants

All these types are meant to increase the size or projection of face features. For example, cheek implants make the cheeks look larger, higher, or fuller, which is beneficial for people unsatisfied with their flat or hollow cheeks. Jaw implants, on the other hand, elongate the look of the jaw and give the entire face a sharper angle.

Each type of face implant speaks to specific features and works to resolve asymmetry and related issues. Depending on the situation and needs, a surgeon might also suggest additional procedures to complement facial implants.

Frequently Joined Procedures

Brow Lift
Forehead Lift
Eyelid Surgery
Facelift
Rhinoplasty

When to Consider Facial Implants?

As we mentioned above, most people opt for facial implants when they want to improve the look of their face for cosmetic reasons. In some cases, however, doctors recommend surgery to reconstruct facial features.

Here are some situations when doctors suggest implants:

Facial features require reconstruction because of trauma, disease, and other related reasons
A patient has unbalanced or disproportionate facial features
A patient has flat or hollow cheeks
A patient has recessed chin
A patient’s jaw is merged with the neck
A patient’s forehead is malformed
A patient’s nose is flat at the tip or bridge
A patient wants to add structure to the face and achieve a youthful appearance

Keep in mind, though, that doctors don’t always suggest facial implants. They tend to recommend less invasive surgeries first and go with facial implants when other options don’t work. As much as technology improved in the last couple of years and surgeries became safer, doctors like to stick with less permanent solutions unless necessary.

Just like any other procedure, facial implants have their advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few benefits of facial implants:

Correct facial asymmetry in the chin, cheek, or jaw
Offer reliable and permanent results
The procedure is fairly quick and simple
The procedure provides a more youthful appearance

Now, let’s take a look at the disadvantages of facial implants:

Possible surgery-risks involved (we’ll discuss these later on)
Implants could be poorly positioned or shift and cause counter effects
There’s no reversing the results without a second surgery

How is a Facial Implants Procedure Performed?

Facial implant surgery is performed in a hospital in one of the techniques appropriate for the particular procedure.

Chin implants – an incision inside the mouth (between the lower lip and the lower gum) or underneath the chin
Cheek implants – an incision inside the mouth (between the cheek and the upper gum), the lower eyelid, or the hairline
Forehead – an incision in the hairline
Jaw implants – an incision inside the mouth (between the cheek and the lower gum)
Nose implants – an incision inside the nostrils or above the upper lip

Your surgeon will advise you on how long you need to stay in the hospital depending on the procedure and your general health condition. You’ll be given general or local anesthesia with sedation for the procedure and adequate medication afterward.

On the day of the surgery, you can expect your doctor to draw surgical markings on your face to assist him or her in making the incision. While you’re under anesthesia, the surgeon will make a small incision in the area where the implant will be placed and make a small pocket in the facial tissue to insert the implant. The incision will then be closed and bandaged or taped. That’s about it!

Preparations for the Surgery

You can prepare for your facial implant surgery by following your doctor’s recommendations and taking a few precautions. These will probably include:

Providing your doctor with your medical history, allergies, and medications. You’ll need to give information about your prescriptions, vitamins, and similar treatments and supplements.
Getting preoperative testing as suggested by your surgeon.
Limiting eating and drinking before the surgery. Smoking is also likely to prevent faster healing. Most doctors will suggest you reduce tobacco use or cut it out for at least several days before the procedure. The same applies to alcohol.
Taking or stopping medications as necessary. Some additional drugs might be needed to prepare you for the procedure and lower the risks of complications.

Recovery and Aftercare

Facial implant surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. After several hours in the recovery room, you’ll start to feel the effects of anesthesia subside. Once you feel more like yourself, you’ll get permission to go home and rest. You’ll need a friend or a family member to drive you home and monitor your condition over the night, though.

When it comes to the pain, you’ll definitely feel sore after the procedure. Swelling, discomfort, and bruising are also typical. Your doctor will prescribe painkillers and other necessary medications you should take during the recovery. In general, the recovery process is gradual and depends on the procedure, your general health, age, and other similar factors. Most people fully recover from facial implant surgery within a week or two, but it can take longer.

Risk and Complications with Facial Implants

There are some risks and potential complications of facial implants you should be aware of. Some are involved with any surgery type, and others are a little more specific.

Allergic reaction to anesthesia
Bleeding
Deep vein thrombosis
Infection
Changes in sensation or numbness
Persistent pain
Damage to nerves, muscles, gums, or teeth
Implant shifting
Uneven contours
Noticeable scarring
Face asymmetry

The good thing is, you can reduce the risk of complications by following your doctor’s recommendations and closely monitoring your condition. Inform your doctor of the slightest change in your healing process and express any concerns you might have.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

Now that you know the basics of facial implants, it’s important to think about the surgeon you’ll choose to perform the procedure. If you don’t have your chosen doctor yet, pick wisely. You want a surgeon who is not only pleasant but educated, experienced, and certified.

Double-check the qualification of your doctor before you decide to go for the surgery. Other people’s experiences can also help you decide. Look for reviews and facial implants before and after photos – these can be proof of the surgeon’s expertise and knowledge.

Facial Implants FAQ

Just in case you have some additional concerns about the topic that we didn’t cover above, take a look at our answers to frequently asked questions about facial implants.

How long facial implants last?

Unlike fillers that last only six to twelve months, facial implants last forever. Once you get through the procedure and the recovery, you won’t be visiting a surgeon ever again for the same topic. This applies to all facial implants, including cheek, chin, and jawline ones.

However, considering you can’t reverse the results without another surgery, think twice before choosing facial implants. If you think you’ll ever change your mind, you might be better with less permanent solutions such as fillers.

How much facial implants cost?

It all depends on the type of implants, your needs, and your surgeon. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of cheek implants is $2,986, the average cost of chin augmentation is $2,449, and the average cost of lip augmentation is $1,830. Prices can vary a lot depending on the above-stated factors. In any case, keep in mind that you can’t put a price tag on your safety and aesthetics, so pick your surgeon wisely regardless of cost.

Are facial implants safe?

Yes, facial implants are very safe and efficient at the same time. Like any other procedure, this cosmetic surgery does come with some risks (scroll up for more details) associated with bleeding, infection, poor stitching, and similar. However, when the procedure is performed adequately, and patients follow the doctor’s instructions during the recovery, chances for complications are minimal.

Schedule Your Appointment With Dr. Rimma Finkel

If you’re looking for a plastic surgeon in Phoenix, meet Dr. Rimma Finkel, a double-board certified plastic surgeon with many years of experience in the industry. Whether you need facial implants or other aesthetic and reconstructive services (including injectables), Dr. Finkel is here for you. A team of friendly and knowledgeable staff is always available to help you and provide support in your journey throughout cosmetic surgeries.

Any questions you may have about facial implants or any other topic at all, feel free to contact us. Even better, you can schedule a free consultation with Dr. Finkel and explore your options with a trustworthy plastic surgeon. We are waiting for you!