Facial Implants (Facial Fat Grafting)
Dr. Bolitho uses facial implants to improve and enhance facial contours. Frequently, these implants will help provide a more harmonious balance to your face and features so that you feel better about the way you look. There are many implants available, manufactured from a variety of materials. They may help strengthen a jawline or bring the chin or cheekbones into balance with the rest of the face.
Dr. Bolitho performs facial implant surgery on patients in the Southern California area, including Del Mar, Encinitas, La Jolla, Oceanside, San Diego, and Vista, California.
What to Expect from Facial Implants
Dr. Bolitho will use implants to bring better balance to the features of a younger patient. For instance, a teenage girl may want her nose reshaped or her chin brought forward so that these traits are better proportioned. The more mature patient may choose to have an implant placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure. For example, during a facelift, a patient may wish to have implants placed over the cheekbones to help restore a more youthful appearance. Implants may also be selected to fill out a face that appears "sunken" or tired.
Chin Surgery
Insertion of a chin implant may take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. During the procedure, Dr. Bolitho selects the proper size and shape implant to enhance your appearance and inserts it into a pocket over the front of the jawbone. The small incision to create the pocket and insert the implant is placed inside the mouth (along the lower lip) or in the skin just under the chin area.
Usually, the chin is taped after surgery to minimize swelling and discomfort. Sutures in the skin will be removed in five to seven days. If an intra-oral incision is used, the sutures will dissolve.
You will experience some discomfort and swelling in the affected area for several days. It's normal to experience some temporary difficulty with smiling and talking. Black and blue marks may be visible around the chin and neck. Your plastic surgeon will instruct you about dental hygiene, eating and any restrictions to your activities after surgery.
Cheek Surgery
Cheek implant surgery usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes. When cheek implants are being placed in conjunction with another cosmetic procedure, such as a facelift, forehead lift or eyelid surgery, the implants may be inserted through the incisions made for those procedures. Otherwise, an incision will be made either inside your upper lip or your lower eyelid. A pocket is then formed and an implant is inserted.
After surgery, a dressing will be applied to minimize discomfort and swelling. The severity and duration of such side effects may vary, especially if another cosmetic procedure was performed at the same time.
Dr. Bolitho will provide you with instructions about post-operative care. There will be dietary restrictions as well as limitations to your activities. Again, these instructions will vary, especially if another procedure was performed along with your implant surgery. However, you should be aware that your ability to move your mouth and lips may be diminished temporarily. Stitches used to close the incisions inside your mouth usually dissolve within about 10 days.
Lower-Jaw Surgery
Insertion of a jaw implant usually takes about one to two hours. Internal incisions are made on either side of the lower lip to provide access for creating a pocket into which the lower-jaw implant can be inserted. Dissolving sutures are used to close the incisions.
Swelling is sometimes significant immediately following surgery, usually peaking 24 to 48 hours afterward. Although most of the significant swelling will subside over a period of several days, prolonged mild swelling may prevent your final facial contour from becoming apparent for several months.
During the healing phase, your activities and diet will be restricted. Your ability to smile, talk or move your mouth in any way may be limited for several days to weeks following surgery. Dr. Bolitho will instruct you about dental and oral hygiene during your recovery.
Potential Risks & Side Effects
A facial implant can shift slightly out of alignment and a second operation my be necessary to replace it in its proper position. Infection can occur with any operation. If infection were to occur around a facial implant and does not clear up after treatment with antibiotics, the implant might have to be temporarily removed and replaced at a later time. Other, less-frequent risks may be associated with certain implants.
Some of the implant materials are made of a solid silicone. Currently, there is no scientific evidence that this is a harmful substance. Dr. Bolitho will be happy to discuss any current scientific findings concerning the type of implant you're considering.
Patient Testimonials
"From the moment I first interviewed with you, I have felt I was in very kind, gentle, sophisticated and extremely talented hands. It is very exciting to find a hidden treasure in a sea of cosmetic surgery offices. My heartfelt thank you to you all."
- GS
"I feel so fortunate to have had somebody who not only performed my surgery exceptionally well but also did it with compassion. I will forever be grateful for your efforts."
- PH
"I had a surprisingly positive experience! Dr. Bolitho's work is top notch and I am completely pleased with the results. He and his staff were exceptionally caring, attentive to detail and knowledgeable. My surgery and recovery went off without a single complication. I will be recommending Dr. Bolitho to anyone who asks for a referral. I couldn't be happier with the care I received!"
