CHIN IMPLANT

CALL THE OFFICE PROMPTLY IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• the operative site becomes very red, has yellow or green thick purulent (containing pus) drainage, or is very warm to touch.
• New onset fever with temperature elevation over 100.0 F degrees.
• a significant increase in pain after the first 48-72 hours following surgery.
• If any of the above should occur after regular office hours, call our office and ask to be connected to our 24 hour emergency service. For whatever reason, if you notice one of the above changes and cannot reach us at our office or through the answering service, present yourself to the emergency department for evaluation.

Make arrangements to have someone drive you to, and from, your surgery.

Having someone stay with you on at least the first night after your surgery is highly recommended although not required.

Be sure to fill your prescriptions prior to your surgery so that you are not forced to identify an open pharmacy should there be pain.

Arrive for your surgery in loose, comfortable clothing. Your top should button or zip rather than pull over your head, avoid wearing jewelry or makeup.

Be sure to keep the dressing clean and dry until your first post-operative visit to the office. You may take a shower from the lower neck down. Do not remove the dressing until we see you in the office, unless instructed to do so ahead of time by your surgeon.

Take the antibiotics and pain medication only as prescribed by the office.

Avoid taking any aspirin or anti-inflammatory compounds for 2 weeks prior to and 2 weeks after your surgery unless you first discuss it with your surgeon.

If you are a smoker, you should not smoke for at least 2 weeks prior to surgery and 2 weeks after surgery. Smoking and chewing tobacco reduce the blood flow by affecting your circulation and can significantly compromise your surgical outcome and lead to post-operative infection.

If bleeding occurs, apply firm pressure preferably using an ice pack to the site for at least 10 minutes. Do not remove or lift the dressing during this time. Call our office if the bleeding persists.

The dressings and sutures will be removed approximately 1 week after surgery. Some sutures may be left to dissolve on their own.

You should do no vigorous exercise or engage in physical exertion for 2 weeks after your surgery.

You should not participate in any contact sports until approved by your surgeon. Generally, you should avoid such activity for a minimum of 4 weeks after your surgery.

Sleep with the head elevated for at least the first 48 hours.

If the implant was placed through an incision in your mouth, rinse with water several times after each meal or snack for a couple of weeks after your surgery. You will also be prescribed a mouth rinse solution which you should use as directed for five days.

Approximate recovery after chin implant is as follows:

DAY 1 Return home – the procedure is ambulatory and does not require a hospital stay.

DAY 1-2 you may feel aching, throbbing in the chin area

DAY 6-8 Bandage/dressing come off, stitches are also removed

Complications

As with any major surgery, there are risks and complications associated with chin augmentations.  Infection is always a threat, as is adverse reaction to anesthesia.  Procedure specific complications include:

• Implant moving, or shifting out of alignment
• Blood clots
• Rejection of implant by body, resulting in necessary removal

Candidates for surgery should be at least 18 except in instances of medical necessity.  Additionally, patients should be well informed and in good physical health.  Most patients are unhappy with their appearance due to a weak or asymmetrical chin.