Chin Implant, Intraorally - United Kingdom

Background:
I am a 40-year-old woman with a somewhat weak chin. When I close my mouth, there is significant dimpling which looks harsh, unnatural and gives the impression I'm displeased. My side profile looks convex, not unlike a puffer fish.

Botox and fillers were some options offered to me by my PS, but I requested a more permanent solution. My PS then suggested either implants or sliding genioplasty. I decided on the former since I'm looking at more of a projection instead of adding height. Implants are also less invasive... I'm not prepared for some as major as cutting my chin bone.

His preference was to use the intra-oral route which I was very nervous about. We discussed infection since most doctors on this site seem to suggest that's much higher than the submental route. He assured me steps would be taken to minimize this. Both methods I'm told have their own sets of potential complications. Regarding the mentalis muscle having to be cut, he said he would repair it accordingly.

Post-surgery
Woke up groggy and in pain, like someone hit me in the jaw. The first thing that occurs to me is my lower lip has full mobility (no numbness or tingling). As much as I'm able to move with a plaster under my lip and another under my chin anyway. Thank goodness for them, my chin feels well supported. I can also talk and form words normally.

I'm expecting the mouth wash to sting every time I rinse with it but it doesn't.

Day 2 - Drinking through a straw. Hard to open my mouth with the restricting plasters. I manage a non-liquid diet though, opening enough to slip spoonfuls of food in.

Day 3
Plasters are off. I'm handed a mirror and I immediately notice my face looks longer. It's subtle but very obvious to me. It's not awful, though I wonder if it's permanent.

Without plasters, the limitations are more apparent now - it's hard to eat with my mouth closed, especially when tackling beef. It's ok if I'm eating dainty pieces of food.

While I'm able to talk normally and close my mouth looking natural, I can't tuck my lips inwards and do a pronounced 'mmm'. It's far too tight right now.

Unsupported, the underside of my chin sags a little from being swollen. My PS has botoxed my chin so the dimpling is gone - it's now smooth, and protrudes imposingly because it is swollen. This will go down considerably, I'm told, though I secretly relish the way it's looking. People who have lived without strong, good-looking chins will understand this. On either side of my chin is a slight hint of yellow-green.

I meet my mother for dinner but she doesn't notice my discomfort in eating. In fact she doesn't notice anything amiss at all. I do think that's a good thing.

Day 4
I decide to exercise today and go for a brisk walk. For the first time in never ever, I hold my head high and show off my chin to the odd jogger I meet. The elation is ridiculous. I try to pare down my expectations by telling myself we are far from the final look. For now though, I'm happy.

Day 5
I've not mentioned this before but the pain has been minimal the past few days. Today I notice the swolleness has shifted slightly and my chin looks a little asymmetrical.

Woke up in horror that I wasn't lying flat on my back but on my side. When I rolled back into my back, I could feel the pressure immediately alleviated from my chin. Not sure if any harm was done?

Oh yes, my chin implant is an Implantech Curvilinear Silicone one, sized small. The S/M/L have the same forward projection of 0.65mm anyway; the difference is in the length and width. Since I'm quite petite, my PS trimmed the implant further so it wouldn't be too broad for my chin.

In all honesty, I'm expecting something horrible to happen because of the intra-oral incision. So far the recovery has been quite smooth.

My chin feels full and fleshy because of the swelling. Still tender though I don't generally feel it unless I touch my chin. Would you believe I haven't yet dared look at the stitches in my mouth? Or actually feel around my chin for that matter.

I have to rinse my mouth carefully after each meal to ensure food doesn't get stuck around where it shouldn't.

Here are pictures of how it looks. It's not looking very good, I know. Attended a party today and never felt more self conscious of the bruising. However if anyone noticed, they didn't stare or mention it.

The past few days, the bruising has darkened, giving me a five o'clock shadow which is hard to cover up with make up. I should have taken more leave from work.

Still trying to get used to the fullness of my chin, asking myself if I would be happy if this wasn't the swelling but how it was going to look. Am also wondering if my face would look even more masculine if I had opted for an anatomical implant with extended sides (instead of a button one) because as it is, I already feel my face is less impish and feminine than it used to be. That the distance between my lower lip to my chin has increased also cannot be overstated - this is the biggest difference about my face when viewed from the front.

A few photos - pardon the unshaven look.