Chin Implant with Neck/Underjaw Lipo -- Overall Easy Experience

I always had a slight jaw and weak chin, and my nose is prominent too, so having a weaker chin really makes the nose stand out. Though i have wrestled with the idea of a rhinoplasty for years, I recently became motivated to take measures to just counterbalance my nose rather than change it.
Dr. Apostolakis and his nurses and aides were all very competent and professional, even though I'm a bit neurotic about doctor visits in general. The doctor told me that with chin implants, he offers to use local anesthesia so the patient can be awake to see what different implant sizes look like on them and choose their favorite, and that the incision can be made either inside the mouth or under the chin where it will leave a small scar. Because i also asked for lipo, we did full anesthesia and an under chin incision.
I had the procedure done yesterday and was sent home with a tight bandage around my head, constricting my mouth and ears, which wasn't a good time. Today they cut the bandage off and next week I'll go back to get stitches out, and I'll be able to remove the tape in a couple days.
I'll post the pics of before, during and after once i get stitches out, and I'll try and post again later on down the road once things have settled.

Tomorrow I'll be able to remove the tape that is holding things in place while the implant firms up its position in my tissue. The bruising isn't really noticeable to me except for the little raspberry over my "suprasternal notch" (the little dip at the very base of your neck beneath your chin). The skin is a little grey beneath my jawbones too, but it's quite faint, considering.

The pain isn't much now. I stopped taking hydrocodone for it yesterday and switched to Motrin. It's just sore under the skin of my neck, and I suspect it will be for a while. My chin and mouth, though, are totally numb. I can't feel my chin at all and I'm just now starting to regain feeling in my lower lip, which should make eating in public less embarrassing.

I'm trying to avoid caffeine and wine, but I haven't been able to stop smoking entirely. I know this is likely to slow the healing, but as far as I can tell, everything is coming right along. I'm eating bananas every day to help myself retain moisture (potassium and magnesium), and I'm guzzling down water all day long and trying my best to get good sleep, even though it's difficult for me to sleep on my back.

From what I've read, I should be seeing the final results of the lipo within about six to eight weeks, with the skin all firmed up and settled and bruise-free. The Jay Leno-esque chin should chill out within a few days to a few weeks, but I'm reading that it won't quite look totally settled for a few months. That kind of depends on the person and their habits though, so we'll see.

This was a really good decision. If you need anything like this done in the Austin, TX area, Dr. Apostolakis can be counted on to be honest about the right procedures for you and to provide high-quality results.