Is my chin implant too big? (Photo)

Question

1 month post op rhinoplasty + chin implant. Silicone type 1 size 2. Incision under chin. While I am very happy with my nose, I am really struggling with my chin. It adds too much projection, is rounded, sticks out in a way that doesn’t suit me. I know there is swelling, but while my nose has changed a lot over last month, my chin hasn’t changed much. I’m worried it won’t change enough and that I should get it removed sooner than later? Also both my chin profiles look quite different?

Frank P. Fechner, MD · Answer

The photos you provided demonstrate a chin that is slightly strong for a woman of your delicate facial features. One months after your surgery, there definitely is some excess swelling in place adding at least 2mm of additional projection. This will subside over the next 4 months - therefore, I would recommend to wait it out and then make a final decision.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

You are correct that there would still be some expected swelling present one month after placement of a chin implant, so the appearance of your chin will still change with more time.  I would recommend waiting at least 3-6 months to judge the appearance of your chin.  If you still feel it is larger than you like after that time, it could be replaced with a smaller implant.

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

You may still have swelling can be typical after a chin implant and should gradually resolve. I recommend following up with your surgeon. Hope that helps.

Brad M. Gandolfi, MD · Answer

Hi, 
I think you are right in many ways. I will express caution saying that the profile views you are providing are not exact profile views (selfie profiles are close but don't get the full picture). Swelling from a chin augmentation can last for 3 months so surely the implant is a bit exaggerated, but even after the swelling goes down the size may be too much for your face. Your preop shows a prominent chin point at the same time as it shows that it is set back, making me curious if you have a significant overbite or have had significant orthodontic work in the past to camouflage it. This generally requires a jaw advancement to correct, not a simple implant. The good thing about chin implants like yours is that they can be removed easily if you are unhappy with the results.

In any circumstance, your concerns should be discussed with your surgeon. Without an examination and limited pictures, my thoughts are just that- thoughts based on limited knowledge. Glad to hear you are happy with your nose, and good luck with your continued recovery.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many facial shaping procedures, including Chin Augmentation with dermal fillers or silastic chin implants, for over 30 years.  At 1 month post op, your chin may still be swollen making the final result not yet visible.  From what you mentioned, you might have a Hanson anatomical size 2 with 7 mm's of projection.  In my experience Implantech EAC provides the most natural chin augmentation.  I typically use a size small in women that has 5.5 mm's of projection. When the chin is weak, this creates an imbalance making the nose appear larger, the mid face top heavy, the lower face looks short, de-emphasizes the lips and allows early formation of a "double chin".  
 Proper placement of a silastic chin implant adds forward projection to the chin thereby creating harmony and balance to the lower face.  Using the same incision, liposuction can be performed to reduce the fat and further shape the neck.  Excess skin, from below the chin, can also be removed through the same incision.  
 I have found that placement of a silastic chin implant, through a small curved incision under the chin (also allows excess skin removal) to be very safe, quick, highly effective and far less invasive than a sliding genioplasty (requires extensive tissue dissection, bone cuts and placement of metal screws and plates to secure the cut segments of bone).  I perform chin implant surgery in 30 minutes or less, often using a local anesthetic alone.  
Hope this helps.

Mitchell E. Blum, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

It may be too early to tell.  Ptofiles can be tricky. The conventioal wisdom is to suggest a chin implant for an under-protruding chin, but if the chin to lip distance is too short, the outcome can look odd.   As the swelling goes down you profile should improve. Chaging out a silicone implant is not a problem if it shpuld come to that

Is my chin implant too big? (Photo)

Answers (6)

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