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Guide To Cosmetic Surgery - Chin Reduction

Chin reduction surgery

This is the opposite of chin augmentation surgery. There are some people who feel that their chin is too prominent which upsets the balance and symmetry of their face. The chin can also ‘sag’ as a result of injury, accident or as a congenital defect.

Facial liposuction can help but if not, then chin reduction surgery may be the answer. It can help to resolve chin ‘issues’ by reducing it thereby bringing it into line with the rest of your features.

Suitability for chin reduction surgery

The same criteria will apply to this as with all forms of surgery. Your age, state of health and reasons for surgery will be examined as well as your psychological motivations.

If you are realistic about your expectations of this surgery, are a non-smoker and see this procedure as a means of correcting a defect then surgery is an option.

Your expectations and your physical health will be assessed by the cosmetic surgeon. He or she will want to be sure that you understand what this surgery will involve and that you are physically healthy to undergo it.

He or she will take a full medical history. This will enable him/her to determine whether you are fit and healthy to undergo surgery. All surgery is risky and the surgeon wants to minimise any complications.

So, if you have a medical condition or have undergone surgery in the past then it is a good idea to mention this. You may feel that by doing this it will prevent you from undergoing this treatment but remember, the surgeon is concerned with your physical and mental wellbeing. He or she does not want to take any chances with your health.

If you are refused then it will be for a very good reason. If this does happen then the surgeon will be happy to suggest an alternative.

Preparing for surgery

The section on chin implant surgery contains information on what to do before surgery.

You will also be given a set of instructions during your consultation which are a list of do’s and don’ts. These will include advice on what types of medications you can take, the time of your last meal before surgery and what to expect on the day of your surgery.

Note: if you are taking the acne drug Accutane then you will be advised to stop taking this six months prior to surgery.  

You will have take time off work to recover so it’s a good idea to arrange this before your operation. You are looking at a week off from work although your surgeon may suggest you take longer.

Your preparation will also include post-operative care. This means ensuring that your normal everyday jobs will be taken care of when you arrive back home. Having surgery means taking time to rest and heal so ensure that you are able to do so.

This will mean no strenuous activities for a couple of weeks.

The chin reduction procedure

This procedure can be performed as a day case: there is the choice of a general anaesthetic or a local with sedation depending on the surgeon’s preference.

The incisions will be made either inside the mouth or under the chin. The surgeon will either reshape your jaw bone or will actually remove parts of it using a ‘bone drill’ or ‘burr’.

The incisions are closed with tiny, dissolvable stitches and a support bandage will be fastened around the chin.


Recovery

You can expect to be sore, swollen and bruised after surgery. This will all settle down after a week or two but in the meantime, get plenty of rest and give your chin time to heal.

If there is any numbness around the treated area then it will ease. You will find yawning, talking and eating difficult to do during this time. This will mean following a diet of soft foods and keeping your fluids going.

Your stitches will dissolve on their accord but if you have had the non-dissolvable ones then they will be removed 10 days after your surgery.

As you are resting during this time then spend it reading, watching a few old films or listening to music. Avoid any strenuous sports or activities plus any activity which might involve facial contact for up to 6 weeks.

A full recovery will take 6 weeks although it will be 7 months before the scars have completely healed.

It will be a week before you are able to return to work and when you do take things easy at first.

The benefits of chin reduction surgery

This will be a smaller and better aligned chin that will compliment your other features.

This will improve your confidence and quality of life as a whole.

The risks of chin reduction surgery

All cosmetic procedures experience complications although these are rare. There are risks which apply to all types of surgery and others which are specific to chin reduction surgery.

The general complications are a bad reaction to anaesthesia, nerve damage which can cause temporary or even permanent numbness, wound infection and dissatisfaction with the results.

If you are unhappy with the results then you may be looking at a second or even a third operation.

Other risks include delayed wound healing, haematoma (blood clot under the skin) and deep vein thrombosis.

Risks specific to this type of surgery include bruising and swelling of the jaw and difficulty with chewing (and possibly swallowing).