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DESCRIPTION
A mentoplasty, commonly referred
to as a chin enhancement is usually desired by the patient
or suggested by Dr. Perez-Gurri when there is a small
or recessive chin that disrupts facial harmony. The
face is divided into aesthetic units and thirds beginning
at the hairline. A weak chin will often make a nose
appear larger than what it is. Facial harmony may be
reestablished by augmenting the chin. An underdeveloped
jaw, with malocclusion or an overbite requires a combination
of orthodontia and major maxillofacial surgery to move
the entire jawbone forward to correct the imbalance.
However, oftentimes the teeth are in normal alignment
yet the chin itself is underdeveloped. In such instances,
major surgery is not required. A small prosthetic implant
either through an incision below the chin or inside
the lower lip, provides a simple yet effective correction.
Reestablishing facial harmony.
PROCEDURE
A mentoplasty can be performed under local anesthesia
with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia. The
procedure is performed as an outpatient allowing you
to go home afterwards. We have found that most of our
patients have a mentoplasty in combination with other
facial procedures. Various techniques exist for performing
a mentoplasty. In your case a small, silicone rubber
prosthesis will be inserted through the inside of the
lower lip. There will be no external incisions. This
implant will be carefully selected to fit the contour
and projection necessary to achieve the desired effect.
POST-OP RECOVERY
You will be allowed to go home after
your surgery. At home, you should lie in bed with your
head upright. Your chin will be taped. You will experience
a feeling of tightness and discomfort in the first 24-48
hours. Bruising and swelling is sure to follow reaching
its peak at 48-72 hours postoperatively. This is normal.
We urge you to apply ice compresses to help reduce the
amount of swelling and bruising. You cannot chew solid
foods for the first 72 hours and we therefore recommend
liquids through a straw. Although pain is unusual, pain
medication will be provided for you and we suggest that
all your post-operative medications be purchased prior
to surgery. You should not be the person controlling
the meds to avoid self-medication.
At home, it is suggested that you rest. You will be
asked to come to the office the next day. Most patients
require 7 days recovery before returning to school,
work and/or driving their car unless your work requires
strenuous activity in which case you may need 2 weeks.
Exercise may be continued after 6 weeks. Always check
with us. Household chores may be started within the
second post-operative week. Every patient is unique
and will recuperate differently. If you feel great,
don't over do it.
COMPLICATIONS OF MENTOPLASTY
Although complications are not frequent and percentages
will vary, you need to be aware that the following complications
may occur:
CONTOUR DEFORMITIES/IRREGULARITIES, MALPOSITION (crookedness
of the implant) KELOID/HYPERTROPHIC SCARS, ASSYMETRIES,
MOTOR/SENSORY LOSS TO THE LOWER LIP, OVER/UNDER AUGMENTATION,
PALPATION OF THE IMPLANT, HEMATOMA, PERSISTENT SWELLING,
DISTORTION
Some of these complications if severe enough, may delay
recovery time, require further surgery for correction
at additional costs and may involve other specialists
within the medical field. Please be aware that smokers,
diabetics and overweight individuals have a higher incidence
of complications when compared to those who don’t
smoke, have diabetes and/or are overweight. You should
also note that patients undergoing combined procedures
(i.e. Rhinoplasty and Chin implant) also have a higher
complication rate than those undergoing a single procedure.
WHAT & WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
These procedures are considered enhancing in nature.
They are not meant to totally change someone's looks.
We have found that one of the key factors in achieving
patient satisfaction is patient expectation. No guarantee
implied or in writing is given regarding how you will
look postoperatively. All attempts will be made by Dr.
Perez-Gurri to satisfy your requests, within reason.
The end point of this surgical procedure is to make
your chin look better and enhanced. Please note that
all individuals are unique and will require a different
surgical approach. A suggestion is made Dr. Perez-Gurri
based on his professional experience as to the procedure(s)
best suited to achieve your aesthetic goals. Remember
that many things are taken into consideration but the
one limiting factor is the skin elasticity, bony and
cartilaginous structure and availability of good tissue.
There seems to be an inverse relationship with expectation
and satisfaction. That is, the higher the expectation,
the lower the satisfaction. Body image is unique and
what the patient frequently sees may not be what is
seen by the surgeon. Therefore, it is important that
you become keenly aware of your expectations for the
procedure, know its limitations and fully discuss any
concerns that you may have regarding the procedure with
Dr. Perez-Gurri. We encourage questions and have allowed
ample time to answer them personally or with our literature
and videotapes. Please realize that the results obtained
through a mentoplasty may not permanent. Gravity continues
to have an effect on the tissues and the aging process
and laxity of tissues continue at the same rate as before.
The chin may drift downwards with increasing age. Every
patient is different and will have a unique experience.
OTHER QUESTIONS
Does smoking affect my results?
Yes. Multiple studies have been done that show that
smoking has an adverse effect on tissues and often times
will delay healing. We ask that you stop smoking for
2-3 weeks prior to your surgery. Although this will
not prevent all complications of healing, it will more
probably than not improve pulmonary function.
How long does the procedure take to perform?
It will take approximately 20 minutes. However, it may
take longer depending on how many procedures are performed
in conjunction with the mentoplasty.
Are my results permanent?
Very possibly. The normal processes of aging & gravity
that cause continued laxity of the tissues eventually
lead the tissues to sag again. This in turn may affect
the position of your chin as you age.
Will I be very swollen and bruised?
Probably. Every patient will be different. However,
most patients will experience moderate swelling and
minor bruising following their mentoplasty. Do not be
frightened. Swelling usually reaches its peak during
the first 48-72 hours following your surgery.
The above information has been compiled as a benefit
to you. We hope that this document has served to better
inform you on the proposed procedure. We encourage dialogue.
Dr. Perez-Gurri and his staff at Imagos Institute of
Plastic Surgery, Inc welcome your questions.
It is our sincerest wish that your surgical experience
at IMAGOS INSTITUTE OF PLASTIC SURGERY, INC. be a pleasant
and informative one. We recognize that all patients
will experience pre-operative anxiety and fear of elective
surgical procedures is normal. Our trained professional
staff and doctors are here to serve your needs and answer
your questions.
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