The Big

I'm 13 days out from surgery. My jawline still looks rather square and unnatural. I still have no feeling in my lower lip, and my smile is uneven, but everything I have read suggests that this may take at least another week or so. The bruising on my neck is almost gone. But I'm still pretty swollen. Others have written about tightness and tingling in their chins and I'm experiencing both, but I expected these, too. I would easily say that you need at least 2 weeks before returning to the work world, especially if you work with people! One of the weirdest things I'm feeling is a burning under my chin, and my chin itself is really, really dry - as if all this stretching is drying it out! But week 2 I'm finally feeling like it is beginning to look better!

Okay. Now almost 3 weeks post-op (tomorrow it will officially be 3 weeks). Still numb on my bottom lip and actual chin area, but bruising is gone and sweeping is definitely down, but not completely. I realize this will take longer. It still feels tight, but I realize that takes time, too. My husband LOVES my new chin, and I'm getting there! The transition line of my jaw still has a dent on both sides, but the weirdest thing are the new "lines" (wrinkles!) on either side of my chin - they go left to right, not up and down! I'm hoping these are due to the swelling, but they're strange! My doctor has been great!!! Last week I had some excess fluid removed from an area under my jaw, but there's still a little knot there. Patience, patience!

Thanks! I'm wondering if that willbe the case for me! I've "watched" myself talk, and you're right - it doesn't "look" different, but it's numb. I'm also still somewhat swollen, and I've been thinking that since I still have some swelling, it could mean that I'll be numb till the swelling is all gone! Oh well - at least I can hope! I see the doctor on Thursday and I'm hoping for some good news!

Well, 2 months later and a lot has changed! Sure enough, the swelling that was on one side of my jawline was, indeed, the implant that had slipped off my jaw!! Pin addition, the implant was just too large and my boxy face felt unnatural. So, I had a repair job! The large implant was removed and a medium was put in, through an incision under my chin! The good news? All the feeling that I had regained in my lips remained! I was so afraid that I'd have to go through the weeks of numbness again, but my lips feel fine! So I'm one day post op and as expected, I'm swollen under my chin, but it already looks better!! Moral of the story? Be sure to work closely with your surgeon!! If you have a good one - as I do - you'll get what is best for you! Yes, I'm not pleased that I've had to go through this again, but my doctor agreed wholeheartedly and I'm looking forward to my new chin!!!

Well, I went in for my 2 month check up and my chin had to be shot full of Botox because the muscle in it had caused my chin to flatten when the rest of my face was relaxed! Ridiculous! But I do have to admit that it looks much better now! I'm still numbe in the middle of my lower lip and underneath, but I'm not panicking yet!! I just hope the Botox relaxes things a bit until my chin muscles relax themselves. Bottom line is this- think carefully about this procedure!!!!