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 and 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.
