Chin Implant: Stories

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Chin Implant Gave Me a Crooked Smile

worrywart
posted 3 years ago
updated 2 years ago

Worth It
Cost: $4,000
California

I had an chin implant and face lift 6 weeks ago. I...

10 Jul 2009

I had an chin implant and face lift 6 weeks ago. I had a receding chin and didn't like it. Now I have a problem.

My smile is crooked, and the Dr. said that it happens sometimes and may take the muscle 2 weeks maybe 2 months to "wake up." No nerve damage, but I'm worried it may not wake up and I will have a crooked smile.

I really don't think my smile will be normal...

18 Jul 2009

I really don't think my smile will be normal again, It's been 7 weeks, and it's still one sided. It feels normal, but how can a muscle wake up, does that mean it's paralyzed? What can I do the "wake it up?" Can it be fixed if it doesn't improve?

Photo Update

23 Apr 2010

After 18 months my smile is now normal. The muscle...

10 May 2011

After 18 months my smile is now normal. The muscle that controls the left corner of my mouth finally did wake up. No problems now. Everyone who has surgery, we all must learn to be patient and let the face heal. Takes time, and you have to wait, and wait, and wait.

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Comments (34)

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Youngjohndoe 18 Oct 2011

I had a chin implant a week out with a neck lift and rhinoplasty and am still numb and swollen and my lips are asymmetrical and out of proportion. My smile looks weird too. I think it's worse in my head but still am going through some hard times which I hear is normal. I think ps are pretty generous on their realistic recovery timelines.

popeye13 19 Oct 2011

Dear Youngjohndoe,

Your face will go back to normal. It took 7 and 1/2 weeks for my crooked smile to return to normal. Now I am 5 months post-op, back to work and teaching and everybody tells me how great I look. Your face has been worked over big time, but you will heal and you will look like a million bucks! Hang in there! You WILL heal with time!!

Jwow 9 Jul 2011

Popeye,I am glad to see you have upgraded to Olive Oil. I am happy for you. I also want to give an update. I am 10 weeks post opp and still no impovement. I also still have numbness. I am happy to hear the restoration of Popeye but also frustrated that I still look like Popeye. Ugggg...still waiting!

worrywart 8 Jul 2011

I'm so happy for you. That was fast. I was 18 months out. To everyone who has a asymetical smile after a chin implant. It takes from the next day to as long as 18 months for everything to heal and return to normal. You just have to be patient and let your own healing take place and don't keep looking in the mirror.

popeye13 8 Jul 2011

I know. I feel really lucky. It was the longest 7 and 1/2 weeks of my life!!!!!

worrywart 9 Jun 2011

Popeye13,

After three weeks not only did I have a crooked smile I looked like rocky racoon. The nerves around that area have been stretched and tugged around, they don't like it. Three weeks is not enough time for them to heal and it takes time. It took mine 18 months, gradually every day, week, month that goes by it gets better. We all have to be patient and let your body heal. Three weeks is just too soon. Take care of your self and stop looking in the mirror. Rest, drink water, believe me it WILL get better. Feel free to comment here. I've been through this too.

popeye13 9 Jun 2011

Thank you . You make me feel a little better....but 18 months is a long, long time...although better than a permanent deformity.
Did it come back grdually or did you just one day notice it ws back?

worrywart 9 Jun 2011

It was gradual. I kept checking it all the time too. I bet it feels tight, mine did. Everyone is different. It took mine 18 months. Your's may not, could be a month, 3mons or longer. I'd say if you were at 17 months and your smile was still crooked, then I would be worried. You are not, so no need to worry so much. I know it's hard not too. I just finally stopped worrying about it. I was still going to my doctor about it as he did not want me to worry either. He said that the muscle that brings down the corner of the lips "is asleep" and that's exactly what is was. Try not to worry.

popeye13 9 Jun 2011

Thank you. Sometimes, especially in the evenings when the swelling has gone down, it seems to have improved. Mornings are the worst and that is when it is the "tightest."
I saw you before and after photos. Thank you for posting that. I would have been panicked by now had it not been for your photos!

Jwow 11 Jun 2011

Worrywart, Thank you for posting pics of your before and after. Now, I am a little worried because my smile is so much worse. So, I am thinking if yours took 18 months...is mine going to be longer because it is worse. I am sick of hiding from everyone. I truly avoid talking to anyone, even freinds. I am still being patient but geez...

popeye13 11 Jun 2011

Jwow,

Did your doctor suggest removing the implant? It seems that another surgery that soon would just set back the healing process. Why did you have it removed? Was it pressing on a nerve or something?

Popeye13

Jwow 11 Jun 2011

Yes, my surgeon thought that it needed to be removed because he did not like how numb my lip and chin were. Yes, he felt that the implant could be pressing on the nerve. I do feel more tingling since it has been out, which is a good sign. Have you had any improvement since your last posting?

popeye13 11 Jun 2011

Tingling is good. That is a sign that your face is coming back to life. Yours will probably heal more quickly now that the implant is out.

If you ever want your chin adjusted again, you ought to try Silicon. It is a permanent injectable filler. I have it in my lips and have not had a problem with it.

As for my crooked mouth, I can't tell if it is improving or not, although I am practically glued to the mirror! The right side of my face is still swollen and feels tighter than the left side and the right side of my mouth is the side that is messed up. I am seeing the doctor on Wednesday.

This is so frustrating!!

popeye13 8 Jul 2011

Dear Worrywart,

I just wanted to update you. I am now 7 1/2 weeks post-op and my crooked smile has come back to normal. thank you for your support and reassurance. I appreciate the photos you posted, too.

No longer Popeye!!

popeye13 9 Jun 2011

I am three weeks post-op from a facelift and have the crooked smile. I look like Popeye the sailorman when I smile hard. this is horrific!!

Jwow 11 Jun 2011

My smile is still crooked and it has been six weeks since implantation and almost two weeks since removal. My smile is horrific too but still waiting for improvement.

Jwow 26 May 2011

Dear Really Sad and Scared, I understand what you are going through because I was so depressed at 10 days post op. No one told me that the anesthesia can make you feel that way. Drink lots of water to flush your body. You will start thinking clear. I am now 3 weeks post op and my smile is still crooked. I am constantly talking to my doctor and he reassures me that it will come back. I remain hopeful as well as you should too. Please keep me posted on your progress and I will do the same on mine. I hope you are feeling better.

worrywart 24 May 2011

Yes it did. Ten days out is not long enough for you to heal. It will take time. You've been through major surgery and the tissues have been pulled and stretched. It's pretty normal what you are feeling. It gets better. I felt the same way. We all expect immediate results. Don't worry, rest and take care of yourself, and you will be better. It just takes time. Some people heal faster than others. It took 18 months for my smile to gradually become normal. It may take a month, 3 months or longer. You will be fine. It takes some of us 18 months to completly heal. The operative word here is "completly" Ok? Don't be depressed. Time will be your friend, the mirror is not your friend right now. Hope this helps.

Jwow 10 May 2011

Thank you Worrywart. I will keep this sight posted on my progress so that it may helps others. You have helped more than you know. Thanx!

Really Sad and Scared 24 May 2011

So did your smile get better? I am 10 days out and mine is horrific! I can't show my face. I am so depressed and don't even want to go on.

Jwow 11 Jun 2011

Hello Really Sad and Scared, I told you I would keep you posted on my progess. I am almost six weeks post op.(May 3) I had my implant taken out at 4 weeks (June 2)because of the numbness/ look/ and crooked smile. My numbness is still there along with the crooked smile. I am remaining hopefull. Are you having in signs of progress?

worrywart 10 May 2011

Jwow,
Five days after surgery is not long enough to expect perfection. It gets better and better with time. You need to give yourself time to heal. My muscle that was "asleep" took 18 months to wake up. So be patient. It gets better.

Jwow 10 May 2011

Thank you Worrywart for responding. Getting as much info on this subject as possible is helping me process what has happened. I know there has not been enough time to heal and I don't mind waiting. I guess I need the reasurance that this has happened to someone and the droopy lip, numbness of the entire bottom lip and chin will regain feeling.

Did anyone answer Sera's question?

worrywart 10 May 2011

Just did. I had problems logging into Realself for a while, but got it squared away. Don't worry. One day at a time.

Jwow 7 May 2011

I just had chin implant and I am now 5 days post op. I chin is still swollen and my lower left droops. It is severe. Please tell me that it gets better?