You are an ideal candidate for facial implants if you look for improvement, in the way your face looks and you are in a physically healthy condition.

Most candidates are younger people interested in a fundamental change in the shape and balance of their face. For older patients, facial implants may bed used in conjunction with other surgical procedures, such as a forehead lift or a facelift, to help restore a more youthful look.

A facial implant will occasionally shift in position after the operation. It doesn’t happen often, but if the implant shifts, the only way to correct it is to redo the operation.

A small percentage of patients develop an infection around the implant. While this may occur at any time, it’s most often seen within a few weeks after surgery. In some cases, the implant may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. A new implant can then be inserted.

The FDA’s ruling does not affect facial implants because they are solid, not filled with silicone gel.

One of the most important things you can do to help your surgeon create the results you expect is to clearly define what you want. Look for photos that will help you describe the precise change you would like to see.

Be honest in discussing your expectations with us, and don’t hesitate to ask any questions or express any concerns you may have. During your initial consultation, we will evaluate your health and explain how a facial implant will change your appearance.


We will give you specific instructions to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating, drinking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications.
Facial surgery is often done through the mouth, so your gums must be healthy and you should have no dental infection or mouth sores. If you smoke, you’ll probably be asked to stop before and after surgery, until your mouth is completely healed, to reduce your risk of infection.

Your Surgery. Insertion of a chin implant usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The surgeon begins by making an incision either inside the lower lip or externally, in the skin under your chin. We will the gently lift the tissue off your chin bone to make a pocket large enough for the implant, usually about an inch and a half to two inches wide. We will have determined the approximate size and shape of the implant you’ll need before surgery, but will probably use several “seizers” to find the right fit for you. We will then place the implant in the pocket, stitch it into place and sew up the incision. Surgical tape or a light compression dressing may be applied to your right after the operation.


You may feel some discomfort for a few hours after surgery, and your chin may be stiff and achy for two or three days. Your lower lip may seem stiff and difficult to control for the first week. Some swelling in your chin and upper neck is possible, but it should go down within a week or two.

If the incision was made in your mouth, you may be asked to stick to liquids and soft foods for the first week or so after surgery. You can usually brush your teeth advised to rinse your mouth several times a day with wash. The stitches will usually dissolve or be removed after the first week.


Cheek implant surgery usually takes about one hour. If you are having a facelift or a forehead lift at the same time, your cheek implants may be inserted through an incision made inside your upper lip. Occasionally, a lower eyelid incision is used to insert a cheek implant.

We will first lift the tissue off your cheek away from your cheekbone, creating a tunnel that will hold the implant in place. The implant will rest directly on the bone, which must be completely bare of tissue before the implants are inserted to provide a stable “seal”.

We will then place the implant in the tunnel, stitch it into place, and sew up the incision. Surgical tape or a light compression dressing may be applied to your cheek to control swelling and to give you extra support right after surgery.


You’ll probably feel very little pain after surgery, although your cheeks may feel stiff and numb. You may not feel like talking much, and your smile won’t feel as complete as normal for several days. Yawning and chewing may also feel a bit uncomfortable. These sensations will begin to decrease four or five days after surgery.

The insertion of a jaw implant usually takes one to two hours and, like chin and cheek surgery, it is usually done through the mouth.

We will make an incision inside your mouth along one side of the lower jaw will be made, then the tissue will be lifted away to expose the jawbone. The implant is placed directly on the jawbone and the incision is closed.

Most patients will experience swelling immediately after surgery, but most of it will disappear in several weeks. You may not be able to move your mouth or smile for several weeks after surgery.

You may be restricted to a liquid diet for a week or so, then soft foods for another week after that. You can usually brush your teeth gently within a few days after surgery and you’ll probably be advised to rinse your mouth several times a day with salt water, diluted peroxide, or an antibiotic mouthwash.

You can usually return to work about a week after facial surgery. Many people, however, don’t feel comfortable going out socially until the brushing using and swelling goes down, usually two to three weeks later.

You should avoid any activity that may result in your face getting jarred or bumped for at least six weeks- the time it takes for scar tissue to form around your implant and hold it securely in place.