What Should I Know Before Getting a Facial Implant?

Today there are many options for chin and cheek implants. Some questions to ask include: 1.) What type of implant do you use? In both areas, different implant materials are available. Solid silicone, Gore-Tex, and other synthetic substances can be used for implants. In select patients, fat can be taken from the abdomen or thighs and transplanted to the cheeks or chin to produce good results. 2.) What approach is used for chin implants? When dealing with chin implants, they can be placed... more

Cheek implants have been notoriously troublesome for surgeons and patients over the years and as a result are not often requested by patients these days. Rejuvenation of the face does require attention to the middle third of the face as well as the upper third and lower third to give the best results. Options for middle third facial rejuvenation include deep plane facelift , mid-facelift, volume enhancement (fat or fillers) and cheek implants. The benefit that cheek implants offer over all... more

  Care must be taken when selecting a facial implant area be sure that you discuss your concerns at length with a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in implant-based contouring of the face. Ask your plastic surgeon what type of implant they will insert, what that implant is made of, the size and shape of the implant, and how this implant will change the contours of your face. Also be sure to ask what the risks for infection, contracture, and asymmetry are and how... more

If you are bothered by a small chin, weak jaw or lack of facial contour, plastic surgery with facial implants may benefit you. While any area of your face can be augmented with implants, the cheekbones, chin and jaw are the most common sites for facial implants.Is it right for me? Plastic surgery with facial implants is best performed on people whose head and skull have reached physical maturity, which generally occurs in late adolescence. This procedure is a good option for you if: You... more

1)  Chin implants are very safe and useful in improving the profile. It's a 30 minute operation with a quick recovery. 2)  We often do a chin implant together with a rhinoplasty or with a facelift. 3)  Cheek bone implants have been largely replaced by fillers and are very seldom done anymore.

There are several things to consider when contemplating facial implants. First and foremost, you need to discuss this issue with an experienced plastic or facial plastic surgeon who does them frequently, and who can review your options and before and after photos. Most surgeons currently use silicone implants. It is hard silicone, different from breast implants. It will not leak or break, it is easy to place or remove if you ever desire them removed. There is a large number of shapes and... more

As Dr. Zubowicz has said, facial implants are generally well tolerated and are also easily removed if needed. Chin implants are more common in my experience than cheek implants and actually neither generates a high volume at all. Perhaps you might try to augment the areas with a temporary filler like Radiesse to be sure you like the new "look" and this would last for 1-3 years.

Cheek implants are easy to place and are reversible (you can take them out). Most patients who come to my practice seeking cheek or chin implants really won't benefit from them. I use computer imaging and examples of previous cases to allow the patient to see what changes will be effected. Consequently, I almost never have to remove the implants because the patients know what they are getting.

Facial implants can markedly change the way you look in a good and bad way. It all depends on what you need and what your current aesthetics are. You need to have a surgeon that has an understanding of facial aesthetics. Depending on what you look like, you can place chin, cheek, jaw and periorbital implants that can really improve your appearance. Silicone implants are the most compatible but have less integration than some other more porous implants like medpor and goretex. I prefer... more

Plastic surgeon Dr. Samuel Lam provides a comprehensive review of cheek and chin implants, including information on what to expect during recovery and who is a good candidate for facial implants. see video

Facial implants are permanent can bring out short-term fantastic cosmetic outcome. However, our face continues to evolve and sag and the support you get from facial implants placed 5-10 years ago may appear somewhat out of place. You want to avoid the possibility of having to to take out the prosthesis because of infection or the fact that you no longer like the look of your face. You should investigate soft tissue alternatives such as Sculptra that your skilled physician injector can... more