Can I change my 5mm chin implant to a small, should I get a 3mm or 2mm?

Question

So I had a medium silicone implant 5mm placed 2 weeks ago under the chin. I wanted a subtle change and I really dislike this change. My question is can I replace it with a 2mm or 3mm? Will the skin sag? Also, will there be scar tissue so the 3mm will look like a 4 mm because of scar tissue forming? I honestly want 2mm less than what I have now. But afraid the 3mm will look like a 4mm because of scar tissue. Please give advice. I know it is very recent but I dislike it a lot. It's not subtle.

Thomas P. Sterry, MD · Answer

First, I would strongly discourage you from making a change so soon after surgery.  These chin implants cause a significant amount of swelling and I'm sure that it will settle down quite a bit in the coming months.  A change in the size of the implant by 2 or 3 mm is unlikely to be very noticeable because all of your soft tissues are so swollen at the moment, so your idea to change might not yield the outcome you want either...you'll end up just removing the new implant as well.Second, the answer to your question is, "yes".  You can change the implant and I doubt very much you will have any loose skin - but I haven't seen a photo of you either, so I can't say it for 100% certain.Good Luck!

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Without an exam your question cannot be answered.  You will need to see an Oral/Maxillofacial surgeon to see if othognathic surgery, genioplasty or using an implant is best for your specific case. It should be noted that patients with severely weak jaws or abnormally functioning jaws may be better treated with other facial surgery (orthognathic surgery), although a chin augmentation may be an option at a later time. These patients should seek the advice of a plastic surgeon to determine which course is right for them. Here is some information to help you make this decision: Candidates for Chin Augmentation - Patients whose chin profiles are weak but have normally functioning jaws are candidates for Chin Augmentation. Many of these candidates have used injectable fillers in the past to strengthen the protrusion of their chins, but are looking for a permanent solution. If you are one of these patients, then you are a likely candidate for chin augmentation
#weakchin #chinimplant

Scott Trimas, MD · Answer

It is definitely too soon to change the implant based upon its current size. One the swelling subsides, the amount of augmentation may be significantly less and negate the need for a different sized implant. I would wait at least two months for all of the swelling to subside before you consider downsizing and I would discuss your concerns with your surgeon.

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.  There is a slight amount of swelling associated with placing a chin implant through an incision under the chin.  You should give yourself 1 month for this to resolve thereby showing more of what the final result will be.   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.   I prefer using a size small in women and a size medium EAC in men.  If after the month, you still want the implant to be exchanged for a size small, this shouldn't be an issue.  Much has and is still being written about the scar forming capsule around chin and cheek implants.  This scar is very thin and doesn't have sufficient volume to add any perceptible amount of projection.  Similarly sagging would not be expected to occur when exchanging a size medium for a size small EAC silastic chin implant.
Hope this helps.

Can I change my 5mm chin implant to a small, should I get a 3mm or 2mm?

Answers (4)

More Chin Implant Questions

How can I fix my profile? I have a small chin, very thin lips, and a bit of a fat deposit or something above my top lip (Photo)

I'm concerned that my chin implant looks too masculine and that the tip of my nose is much too high (Photo)

Is there a defined size limit for chin and jaw implants? Does a bigger implant than the standard size cause any health problems?

Can I replace a chin implant with a sliding genioplasty?

Crooked chin implant? Should I be concerned?

18 years old and I want a more masculine and alpha look. Should get a jaw implant? (photos)

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS