Numbness After Chin Augmentation

The combination of these two procedures can cause alot of injury and swellin in the area of the chin which is very common and generally tends to resolve. This can commonly last 2-3 weeks but it can persist for a longer period.
Generally there is nothing to improve the recovery of nerves but to wait it out. Early recovery is preceded by a tingling sensation similar to the way your leg feels after it falls asleep and wakes up.
Stay in close contact with your doctor to monitor for possible signs of infection or allergic reaction.

At this point, numbness is a common side-effect.  As the nerves that were disrupted during your procedure begin to regenerate it is common to feel intermittent twinges of nerve sensation. Feeling in that area should return over the next several weeks to months.  While it can be disconcerting, try not to allow yourself to worry about the numbness, but do stay in communication with your surgeon so that he/she may closely manage your care.   

It is very common and usually expected that most individuals will have some amount of numbness in the lower lip and chin.  This can vary from a few weeks to a few months.  Besides the reassurance that your surgeon gives you, there isn't a way to know if it's permanent or temporary.  Generally, the numbness improves slowly starting around 3 weeks; though some individuals stay numb longer.  The vast majority of patients have minimal numbness by 6 weeks. 

Hello! Thank you for your question! Numbness after any surgical
procedure is expected for several weeks to months following. As the
nerves to the area are traumatized and will then experience a temporary
neuropraxia, a transient loss of nerve conduction. This usually
resolves over the next 6-12 weeks, but depending on the procedure
performed, sometimes much longer. Typically this should resolve by 1
year. As it goes past this date, the likelihood of the sensation
returning is small. However, it can take up to 2 years. If no return
from there, it is unlikely to return. It should be discussed that
persistent sensory changes may develop following any surgical
procedure.  Neuropraxia following any facial procedure is not uncommon, but typically resolve over weeks to months - followup closely with your surgeon, regardless.The usual signs of the nerves regenerating and neuropraxia
resolving is itching, followed by a burning sensation and then
occasional sharp, shock-like pains. These will be normal to experience,
and actually a promising sign. Usually, normal sensation returns, but
is is also possible to have decreased sensation or even increased
sensation to the areas affected. Re-educating nerves postoperatively is
often helpful and will allow proper instruction for the affected
sensory nerves - methods include using different textures to the
affected areas when showering, bathing, applying lotion, etc. If
bothersome, there are some medications that may be helpful, including
Neurontin for pain for hypersensitivity. You can try various textures
such as washcloths, loofahs, cotton sheets, etc. Massaging the areas is
also beneficial for the incision to make the finest scar possible. The
last place to regain the sensation will be directly adjacent to the
incision/scar as the nerves will make its way from the periphery to this
location. If continual pain arises, evaluation is warranted. After
ruling out other causes, one rare explanation may be that a neuroma has
developed and may require surgical excision. This is very unlikely
unless a large sensory nerve has been transected inadvertently during
the procedure. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Chin augmentation requires surgical
placement of the implant along the lower edge of the jaw. The nerves that
provide sensation to the lower teeth, lips and chin area are positioned
approximately 1.5cm from the lower edge of the jaw line. With chin surgery
there can be stretching of the nerve with bruising and swelling that results in
a degree of numbness soon after the surgery. As the swelling improves the
sensation usually resolves over a few weeks, occasionally months. With good
surgical technique the nerves can be avoided and numbness after surgery is
generally uncommon and temporary.

You had a bit of work done in a compact area.  You are very early in your post operative course.  Nerves are the most unpredictable of tissue.  Numbness in this operation can take weeks to months to improve.  Please let your surgeon know your concerns.

Since the chin implant is usually in close proximity to the mental nerve then some sensory variations are usually present after placement of  the implant. These parasthesias or numbness usually will settle down in a few weeks.

 

 

 

Carli,
You are still very early post-op and it is common to still have swelling and occasionally numbness. As for your redness and rash, it is best if your doctor examines you to determine if there is an infection. The swelling and numbness will improve with time.
David Shafer, MD
New York City

What it sounds like you are describing is some bruising or swelling along some of the sensory nerves of the face, which can occur with several types of facial surgery, including the ones you described. The good news is that in the majority of cases, the sensation fully recovers, but it will take several weeks or even months.

The implant in augmentation is placed on the lower border of the jaw and should be far from the mental nerve that is responsible for sensation of lower lips. During the course of the dissection occasionally and rarely, the nerve is stretched which causes temporary numbness of the lower lip. This is usually temporary unless the nerve is significantly injured.