San Diego Facial Implants FAQ
What are Facial Implants used for?
Facial implants are used to give aesthetic correction to facial features that are not sufficiently well-defined and make a face look too round, too soft, and out of balance. Specifically, facial implants are used to build up the cheek bones, correct a weak chin, and give better definition to the jawline. Facial implants can also remedy a sunken or tired appearance related to the loss of facial fat with age.
Are facial implants like breast implants?
Breast implants are designed to mimic soft tissue, but facial implants are generally used to mimic bone, so while breast implants are filled with liquid or gel, facial implants are solid. This means facial implants have no risk of leaking or deflating. Because they leak, breast implants always have to be removed at some point, but facial implants are generally permanent.
Are facial implants hard?
Although facial implants are made of solid silicone, they are not really hard. They are firm, with a resilience that mimics a combination of bone and soft tissue.
Are facial implants safe?
Facial implants are made of solid silicone, a highly biocompatible material that will not degrade or migrate through the body. Facial implants have very few risks, other than the normal risks attendant on all surgeries.
Do facial implants move?
Normally, facial implants are anchored to the bone so they stay in place to continue providing the optimal shape to your face.
What is the facial implant procedure like?
The facial implant procedure is performed as an outpatient procedure. Chin implants will be placed through incisions located either inside your mouth or under your chin. Cheek implant incisions are made either inside the lower eyelid or inside the upper lip. The procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia. The procedure may take up to an hour, and following the procedure, the treated area will be fixed with a dressing to minimize swelling and discomfort. You will be prescribed with pain medication.
What is recovery from facial implant surgery like?
During recovery from facial implant surgery, you may experience some discomfort and swelling in the area(s) treated. You will also experience some discomfort when eating, talking, or smiling. These will all decrease with time, and you should be able to return to most normal activities within a week or less, although you should avoid heavy exertion and any activity likely to result in a facial impact until healing is complete (four weeks after surgery).
Are there other options that will give similar results?
If you are trying to improve the shape of your chin or cheeks, or if you have facial hollowness that you want to remedy, you can consider injectable facial fillers like Restylane, JUVÉDERM®, or Radiesse®. These can be used to give similar results to facial implants, but are temporary and require reinjection at regular intervals, which can lead to an inconsistent appearance. If you are considering facial implants, injectable facial fillers can be used as a trial procedure so you can get an idea of what your implants might look like.
Are there other procedures that can complement facial implants?
Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) and facelifts can be performed in conjunction with facial implant surgery. Also, skin tightening procedures--like SkinTyte and Sciton BBL--can help your skin contour itself over the implant.
If you are interested in using facial implants to correct the proportions of your face, or to remedy some negative effects of aging, click here to request a complimentary consultation at our Vista offices, or call us at 760-726-6451 today to schedule your appointment.
