Chin Implant Recovery - What aftercare do I need once I get a chin implant. When can I return to work? Worried about bruising

Surgical chin augmentation can be done through the mouth or a small incision under the chin. The latter is the preferred choice by most surgeons as the scar usually heals very well and it is believed to afford more precision and less morbidity. The pain is usually minimal and most patients only require over the counter pain medication. The swelling and bruising is usually mild and in most cases not noticeable after 1-2 weeks. Different surgeons have a range instructions for wrap/pressure dressing following the surgery but most do not require more than one week of such restrictions.

The answer depends on the technique used in surgery. As a board certified plastic surgeon, I perform all of my chin augmentations by placing the implant intraorally so that no scars are visible, and this approach also benefits from a faster healing time, less bruising, and no sutures that show on the exterior of your skin. If you had the procedure on a Thursday, you could be back to work on Monday. To help prevent swelling and bruising, which are minimal for my patients, I suggest that patients take Arnica, a homeopathic medication (over-the-counter) two weeks before surgery, continuing on it for a month. Patients are given aftercare instructions that are reviewed multiple times (preoperatively and post operatively) to ensure that everything is properly explained. Chin augmentation is a simple yet effective treatment that requires very little downtime, and creates a very nicely balanced profile for those whose chins suffer from weak projection.

Chin implant surgery is indeed a real surgery and involves incisions, tissue manipulation and healing. There is some temporay swelling, discomfort and the time is required for normal healing will be a several month process. The first week it would be wise to limit obligations and physical activities beyond the normal day to day home activities.

Chin implant surgery is technically known as "Augmentation Mentoplasty".  The recovery is rather straightforward and minimal.  Swelling is usually mild, and resolves within 2-3 days.  Bruising, although variable from patient to patient, is minimal to none for this procedure.  Performed on a Friday, I have had patients able to return to work the following Monday or Tuesday.  If bruising does occur, I see them first thing Monday morning in which the BBL laser at settings for bruising helps accelerate its resolution.  The rare temporary side effects of a chin implant also includes temporary numbness of the chin or lip.  There is no loss of movement, just sensation, which if it occurs, typically resolves over several weeks to a couple months.
Hope you found this answer helpful.  All the best!

The typical chin implant recovery is relatively easy and straightforward. In my practice, the chin is dressed post-operatively with a dressing that stays in place for one week and is then removed. Any sutures under the chin are also removed at that point. Most patients will then return to work or school. There may still be some swelling that is evident for several weeks, but overall this is relatively minimal in most cases. Regular follow ups are scheduled to ensure proper healing over the next several months.

Thank you for your question. After care
following a chin implant is actually very straightforward and quite tolerable
for most patients. You will most likely be wrapped in a soft compressive
dressing for 24 hours, and will need to ice the area around the clock for the
same time period, as this will significantly decrease post-operative swelling
and cut down on recovery time. You will have an incision underneath your chin
with sutures that will be removed in the office 1 week following your surgery.
Suture lines should be cleaned 2-3 times a day with mild soap and water,
followed by a generous application of antibiotic ointment, until sutures come
out. Bruising and swelling is generally self-limited, and patients are quite
socially acceptable within 7-10 days of surgery and often return to work. We
advise that patients refrain from any aerobic exercise for 2 weeks, and any
high-impact exercising for 3 weeks. The final cosmetic result can often be
appreciated at the 3 month mark once most of the swelling and bruising has
resolved.

At my practice, most patients are able to return to work approximately 5 days after surgery. You can expect to be swollen and bruised for the first 5-7 days, and your final results will appear after around 3 months. The majority of the swelling will dissipate after the first week, but there may remain some residual swelling for another few months. During the first week, the lip will feel tight and it can be difficult to move the lip. This will greatly improve over 2-3 weeks. Patients can resume normal activity at 2 week after surgery except for contact sports.

Chin implant recovery in general lasts 2 weeks.  What does that mean?  The first week you have to take it easy without any strenous activity or bending over.  If you have a chin incision, then taking care of the incision with antibiotic ointment and peroxide is important several times a day.  If the incision is in your mouth, then rinsing your mouth with the antiseptic solution recommended by your doctor several times a day, plus a soft diet for a week, is recommended.  On day 7, you can work out, bend over, lift heavy objects, and use makeup.  However, you will still have bruising and swelling that will be obvious to others. On day 14, you will be able to be out and about and acquaintances will not know you had anything done including coworkers.  To you, your chin will still look large.  Your perspective will improve at 21 days as the swelling subsides and you start to appreciate the shape of your new chin.  By 28 days, patients are ecstatic with their results. 

Recovery after a chin implant is usually minimal. Aftercare involves several brief office visits with your surgeon to monitor healing. A small amount of swelling and bruising is normal, and most surgeons place a dressing on the chin for the first five days. Most patients are able to return to work after a week.

Those
are great questions. A Chin Augmentation is a relatively short procedure and
prospective patients gain the benefits of a smooth recovery time. I instruct
patients to leave all bandages and splints in place for one week and get plenty
of rest. Patients must refrain from lifting anything greater than 5 pounds and
rigorous activity for 6 weeks to allow proper healing. Patients could return to
work in 1 week and could expect to be minimally swollen for the first couple
weeks. The swelling will gradually decrease and go away over time. Bruising is
actually very minimal in Chin Augmentations. Essentially after one week, no one
will know you had it done. I hope this information has helped you with
your decision.