Ready to Have a Chin!!

I debated for a long time whether or not to post this journey. But, if it weren't for this community, I don't think I would have ever gotten up enough courage. So, I thought maybe my journey could help others. I've never had a separate face and neck and my chin has always been non-existent. As I've gotten older, my face seems like it has "melted" into my neck. A large weight loss has also contributed to the falling of my face in addition to being born with a very recessed chin. I've had cheek and eye fillers and jaw Botox to help in the past but they weren't permanent and didn't really resolve the issue... which was an extremely weak chin. As a child, I wore braces and a head gear for years with not much luck. I was told as a child and I'm still told as an adult that I need a Genioplasty, but that idea scares me to death and still does over 30 years later! I've been told fillers could work but I'd need thousands of dollars of fillers to get enough projection...then I'd have to get the fillers all again in a few years. So in the end, a chin implant and neck lipo are the route I've chosen to go. My procedure is scheduled for November 15th and I'm extremely excited, yet very nervous at the same time. I've always loved my smile and heart-shaped face and pray neither will change. I feel confident my surgeon knows what I want and I'm leaving it in his hands and praying. This has been a LONG time coming and I'm ready for the change. Just have to be patient and trust the process. Ive read all about the upcoming highs and lows I'll endure along with the "how could I do this" moments. I'm hoping I'll be as prepared as possible, but it's my face so I am scared. One week and a half to go!

Looking forward to having a separate face and neck with a chin! Doctor thinks I may need a medium or large extended anatomical implant. He won't know for sure until I am back in surgery. Here's a "before" pic...

My chin implant and liposuction is scheduled one week from today!!! This has been 34 YEARS in the making. I am extremely excited and have all the hope in the world this procedure will be what I have always wanted. The incision will be under my chin and I will undergo general anesthesia. I will be off work 11 days to recover. I feel very confident in my surgeon that he knows what I want. He is double board-certified as a facial plastic surgeon specialist as well as an ENT. His specialty is faces. In addition, I'm praying everyday that the procedure goes well with no complications. I love the shape of my face from the front as well as my smile. Those are the two things I do not want to change about my face. My smile has always been my Saving Grace for my face distracting from the side view. I know exactly how to line up my teeth to bring my jaw forward in every picture that is taken from the front. I do not take pictures from the side. Sometimes I wonder if I will know how to smile without having to line up certain teeth or if I will have to relearn how to smile after the procedure. It's been so many years of doing it this way it's a learned behavior. Every now and then I get a little nervous when I think about the actual procedure, but when I think about the results, I feel this overwhelming happy and peaceful feeling... a feeling like I should have done this many years ago. Every time I went to a new dentist or even visited an orthodontist, my face was brought up for discussion. Definitely makes a person feel self-conscious. As if I didn't already feel this way! Here are a few of my before pictures...