Chin Implant, 30th Birthday Present to Me

After over a decade of trying to get over my fear, saving enough money, and finding the 'right time', I have finally booked a chin implant procedure for January 19th 2017. I have a very recessive chin, difficulty closing my mouth, and dimpling. I also have a fairly large nose, which only looks larger because of my recessed chin. I've been to a total of 5 consultations over the years, and finally decided to have surgery with a top-rated facial plastic surgeon and ears-nose-throat specialist. Although my chin is extremely recessed, he suggested a medium silicon implant, as a large risks being too masculine and he'd rather be conservative, and I agree. The implant would have wings and be inserted under-the-chin, which I also prefer. The surgery will be done with local anesthetics. It will cost $4,200 CAD total. I still have a number of concerns though. First, I have an anxiety disorder, and anything health or medical-related is a trigger. Also, I now live with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, which resulted after an uncomplicated laparoscopic procedure several years ago, so general anesthesia really scares me now. Luckily, I'll be getting local anesthesia instead which is so much easier and safer, and I can take Xanax instead of the IV sedation, which makes me feel more at ease. I also don't want to take antibiotics because I always get the worst side effects. And of course, I am very worried about the result and healing process. In my experience, I seem to get a lot more swelling and bruising than most people, and I generally recover slowly. And what if I don't like how I look afterwards? What if I look worse and I regret the whole thing? I'm excited but so nervous at the same time!

They've had to change my date of surgery. I had the option of January 16th or February 9th. I decided on January 16th, which is a few days earlier than my previously schedule surgery date of January 19th. I'm happy, the sooner I have the procedure, and sooner I can heal!

Right now the biggest challenge is that I need someone to drive me home and take care of me right after the surgery. I've asked my mom, but I feel bad that she has to waste a vacation day for me, especially since it's something so non-essential.

I have been vague, I've only told my family it's 'jaw surgery' and since they know I've seen an orthodontist and maxillo-facial surgeon recently for my teeth and jaw clicking, they assumes it's related. I haven't yet explained that it is in fact, a chin implant (which is technically part of your jaw, so I wasn't really lying!).

I don't think my parents will be very happy when they find out. My dad might be disappointed, but I think he will be understanding. But my mother and I don't often get along, we're very different. One of the few things I have in common with my mother is our chins, or at least the dimple and shape of our chins. Mine is much weaker and more recessed than hers though. My mother also isn't the kind to be considerate or understanding, and during christmas she and my sister had a whole conversation criticizing a friend's daughter who has had several obvious plastic surgeries to her face and breasts. My mother is going to be personally offended and insulted that I am changing my chin, and she will not want to understand why. But there is really no one else I can ask right now to drive me home.

Soon I'll have to tell my boss and coworkers, since I need to take 1 or 2 weeks off work (or work from home, most likely). I don't want to announce I'm having plastic surgery, but I think it will obvious enough and I don't want to lie either. I think I'll go with the 'jaw surgery' story and only get into details if asked. I will tell two of my coworkers, though, we're more friends than anything. I'll be just as open with other close friends, too.