Facial implants are used to improve facial contouring. Often these implants help to give a more harmonious balance to your facial features so that you feel better with your appearance.
There are many implants available, made from a wide variety of materials. These implants can straighten the jawline, advance a chin or cheekbones, helping to balance the rest of the face.
This text describes some of the facial implants available as well as the techniques for their use. With this data you can familiarize yourself with these procedures but for more details that may be relevant in your particular case it is preferable that the information is personalized.
What can we expect from a facial implant?
Facial implants can improve your appearance and self-esteem. If you are looking for an improvement, not perfection, of your appearance and are realistic in your expectations, performing a facial implant may be the right choice.
We often use these implants to get a better balance of a young patient’s traits. For example, a teenager may need to reshape her nose and advance her chin a little so that her features are more proportionate. More mature patients generally use implants in conjunction with other treatments. For example, during a facelift the implants placed on the cheekbones contribute to a more youthful appearance. Implants can also be used to improve faces that seem sad or tired.
Facial implants produce changes that clearly improve features. Problems are rare but must be informed of them. In this text we will expose the most frequent.
In the first place, an implant may move slightly from its position and a second attempt may be necessary in order to place it correctly. Infections can occur in any operation. If it presents around an implant and cannot be cleaned after antibiotic treatment, the implant may have to be temporarily removed and replaced later. Other less frequent risks may be associated with other implants. In each particular case we will explain the particularities of each procedure.
Surgery planning:
When considering each treatment it is important to be sure that your expectations are well understood. We will help you determine if the treatment and goals you propose are possible. It can be useful to provide photos of people who have similar features to those you would like to have.
You should be sure that you have understood the details of the proposed surgery, including the cost and the recovery and postoperative process that is expected.
If the surgery requires an incision in your mouth, it is important that we know if you smoke or if you have dental or gum problems. If this is the case, we will inform you of the risks and the treatment you need prior to surgery.
When preparing the intervention, you must be sure that someone will accompany you to take you home. You should also follow our instructions regarding foods and drinks before and after surgery and also regarding medication you are taking, including aspirin and similar drugs. We will give you oral antibiotics before and after treatment to prevent infection.
Where the surgery is performed:
These types of interventions are performed in an operating room. In case you need to be admitted one night in the hospital we will tell you. This recommendation is usually based on your medical conditions or whether another aesthetic procedure is performed at the same time as facial implants.
Types of anesthesia:
In some cases, facial implant surgery may require only local anesthesia or is combined with sedation. However, general anesthesia is sometimes recommended.
Surgery of the cheekbones or malar implants
Malar implant surgery usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes. When malar implants are performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures, such as facelift, facelift, or eyelid surgery, the implants can be inserted through incisions made for those purposes. In another case, an incision is made either inside the upper lip or in the lower eyelid. A pocket is dissected and the implant is inserted.
After surgery, a bandage is applied to minimize edema and discomfort. The severity and duration of these effects can vary, especially if another cosmetic procedure is performed at the same time.
Recovery after malar implants
We will give you instructions on postoperative care. There will be limitations on diet as well as restrictions on normal activity. Either way these instructions vary, especially if another procedure is performed with the implants. Your ability to move your mouth and lips may temporarily decrease. The sutures used to close the wounds inside the mouth are removed after ten days or progressively dissolved.
Recovery after surgery:
Edema is sometimes important immediately after surgery. It usually peaks at 24 or 48 hours. Most of the severe swelling is lowered in a period of a few days, however a little edema may persist that does not allow to appreciate the final facial contour until a few months later.
During the healing phase, your activities and diet will be restricted. Your ability to smile, speak, or move your mouth is a little limited for a few days or weeks after surgery. We will inform you about oral and dental hygiene counts during your recovery.
Getting back to normal:
Remember, that with any facial surgery, you can feel better and look nicer in no time. However, it may not be advisable to participate in certain activities for a few weeks, especially those in which the treated areas are involved.
Your new look:
You may not be able to appreciate your final appearance for a few weeks or months. This is because the body needs some time to completely eliminate the swelling. Have a little patience when evaluating its final appearance. You will be surprised that most people will not recognize that you are wearing a facial implant only that your appearance will have improved.