Improve appearance with facial implants

The appearance of your face is determined by three basic components: skin, soft tissue and bones. If the structure of your face is disproportionate – your chin/chin is low, your jaw is undefined or your cheeks are flat – these features can significantly affect your self-image. Defined facial features, visible contours and natural angles that are proportionate create structural balance in your face and a more attractive appearance. If you feel uncomfortable having a small chin, a poorly defined jawline or a lack of facial contour, plastic surgery with facial implants can benefit you. Although any area of ​​your face can be augmented with implants, the cheekbones, chin, and jaw are the most common places to receive facial implants. Facial implants bring balance and better proportion to the structural appearance of the face. They define the face, increase projection and create more distinct features.

Plastic surgery with facial implants is best performed on people whose head and skull have reached physical maturity, which usually occurs in late adolescence.

• You are physically healthy;
• You don't smoke;
• You have a positive outlook and realistic expectations of the procedure.

Facial implants are made from biocompatible material designed to improve or enhance the physical structure of your face. The precise type and size of implants best suited for you requires evaluation of your goals, the features you want to correct, and evaluation by your surgeon.

Chin implants

They increase the size and projection of a chin that does not project in proportion to the forehead and middle third of the face. People with a small chin are often defined as those who present the chin and neck as a single structure, without definition, one being an extension of the other.

Jaw implants

They increase the width of the lower third of the face. Just like the chin, a jaw that is not demarcated gives the same impression of structural continuity with the neck. In some cases, both the chin and jaw can contribute to facial imbalance.

Cheek implants

They increase the projection of the cheekbones, adding volume.

Facial implants may be recommended to augment more than one facial region. It is important to remember that all of our faces are not symmetrical, and the result will not be completely symmetrical either. The goal is to create balance and proportion. Your procedure can be performed alone or as a complement to other facial contouring procedures such as nose or ear surgery.

The success and safety of the surgical procedure largely depends on your sincerity during the consultation. You will be asked about your health, desires and lifestyle.

• The reason why you want to have the surgery, your expectations and the desired result;
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments;
• Current use of medications, vitamins, natural medicines, tobacco, alcohol and drugs;
• Previous surgeries.

• Assess your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors;
• Examine and measure your body, including detailed measurements;
• Take photographs for medical records;
• Discuss the options and recommend the most appropriate one;
• Discuss possible outcomes of the surgery and any potential risks or complications.

Before surgery, it may be necessary to:
• Take laboratory tests or medical evaluation;
• Taking certain medications or adjusting your current medications;
• Stop smoking well before surgery;
• Avoid taking aspirin and some anti-inflammatories and natural medicines, as they can increase bleeding.

• What to do on the day of surgery (fasting time, medications, bath);
• Information about the type of anesthesia to be performed during the surgical procedure;
• Guidance on post-operative care.

The decision to undergo surgery is a personal one and it is up to you to decide whether the benefits will achieve your goals and whether the risks and potential complications are acceptable.

You will be asked to sign the consent form to ensure that you fully understand the procedure you will undergo and any potential risks or complications.

• Unfavorable scars;
• Bleeding (bruise);
• Infection;
• Accumulation of fluid (seroma);
• Anesthetic risks;
• Poor healing;
• Skin necrosis;
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensitivity;
• Skin depigmentation and/or prolonged swelling;
• Asymmetry;
• Dehiscence (reopening of a previously closed wound);
• Residual sagging of the skin;
• Pain, which may last;
• Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications;
• Firmness around the implants;
• Possibility of a new surgical procedure.

It is important that you ask all your questions directly to the plastic surgeon. It is natural to feel a little anxiety, whether it is anticipation of the result or pre-operative stress. Don't be embarrassed to discuss these feelings with your plastic surgeon.

The procedure must be carried out in a safe and comfortable place for the doctor and the patient, in a surgical center authorized by the Health Surveillance, with equipment and trained staff for any complications.

How to care for your face after surgery, medications you need to apply or take orally to help healing and reduce the risk of infection, and post-operative follow-up with your plastic surgeon.

Be sure to ask someone to accompany you and stay with you for at least the first night after surgery.

If you experience shortness of breath, chest pains, or an abnormal heartbeat, seek medical attention immediately. If any of these complications occur, you may need hospitalization and additional treatment.

Following your doctor's recommendations is essential for the success of the surgery. It is important that surgical incisions are not subjected to excessive force, abrasion or movement during the healing period.

Procedure Steps

Step 1 – Anesthesia

Medications are administered for your comfort during the surgical procedure. Options include intravenous sedation and general anesthesia. Your doctor will recommend the best option for you.

Step 2 – Incision

Chin: For a chin implant, the incision can be inside the mouth, along the fold/crease that joins the lower lip and gums. An incision just below the chin is an alternative.

Jaw: These implants are generally placed through the mouth with incisions inside the mouth, further back along the jaw line, in the crease/fold where the inside of the cheek and gums meet.

Cheek: The specific area to be augmented on the cheek determines where the implant will be positioned on the face. Cheek implants are most often placed through incisions in the mouth. When performed with other procedures, alternative incisions may be recommended including placement through an incision within the lower eyelid or scalp.

Step 3 – Closing the Incisions

The incisions will be closed with absorbable sutures or stitches that will be removed within 1-2 weeks after surgery.

Step 4 – See the results

Although the result of the surgery is visible almost immediately, it is obscured by swelling. It may take several months for the swelling to completely disappear.

Ask your plastic surgeon questions about what to expect during the recovery period:

• Where will I remain in recovery after surgery is complete?
• What medication will I be given or prescribed after surgery?
• Will a dressing be necessary after surgery? When will it be removed?
• Will the stitches be removed? When?
• When will I be able to resume my normal activities and exercise?
• When will the return appointment be?

The practice of medicine and surgery is not an exact science. Although good results are expected, there is no guarantee. In some situations, it may not be possible to achieve optimal results with a single surgical procedure, requiring further surgery.

The final results of facial implant surgery will be long-term. The initial healing phase may present localized swelling, discoloration, numbness or discomfort. Additionally, facial movements may be temporarily limited or compromised. These situations are common conditions.

Additional procedures may sometimes be necessary to reduce excess skin. Special considerations are required when large quantities − generally more than 5 liters of fat − are aspirated.

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery. A surgeon's fees may vary depending on their experience and the type of procedure performed.

The cost may include:

• Surgeon's fees;
• Hospital or surgical center expenses;
• Anesthetist's fees;
• Cost of the implant;
• Spending on medicines;
• Post-operative meshes;
• Medical exams.

When choosing a plastic surgeon to perform this procedure, remember that the surgeon's experience and your good relationship with him or her are as important as the final cost of the surgery.

• Biocompatible materials: Synthetic or natural material used in facial implants and made to be used together with living tissue.
• External incisions: Surgical incisions made on the surface of the skin.
• General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during surgery to relieve pain and reduce consciousness.
• Intraoral incisions: Surgical incisions made inside the mouth.
• Intravenous sedation: Sedatives given by injection into a vein to help you relax.
• Local anesthesia: Drug injected directly into the site of an incision during surgery to relieve pain.

Use this list as a guide during your consultation:

• Are you a specialist by the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery?
• Have you been trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Is the installation of the procedure room in your office authorized by the Health Surveillance of your city?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What is expected of me so that the best results are obtained?
• Where and how will the procedure be performed?
• Which surgical technique is recommended for my case?
• How long can I expect to recover, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications treated?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the aesthetic result of the procedure?