Have you already had your long-awaited aesthetic plastic surgery, or are you just on the verge of getting it? Whatever the situation, after your procedure, you will need some time to recover both physically and mentally. For some patients, the process passes quickly, while for others, it might take a while. The most important thing you should do is follow your doctor's instructions and be patient.
Regarding double chin surgery, this is one of the procedures with a relatively short recovery time. It is not a complicated operation, and most patients can return to their everyday life just in one week. However, you need to keep in mind that the way you recover is mainly your responsibility. Even when surgery runs smoothly and is performed flawlessly, it can become problematic if the follow-up care is incorrect. With that, it is imperative to know what to expect after your cosmetic surgery and how to proceed in order to have a smooth recovery.
Here we will explain to you everything you need to know about the recovery after chin reduction surgery. However, before we get to that, we will take a quick look at the different surgical approaches available since the method you choose will also influence your recovery.
There are different surgical approaches that the doctor may use in order to reduce the size of your chin (all falling under the category of chin augmentation procedures).
It is possible to get each of the above-mentioned procedures separately, or you can combine them.
A chin reduction is not a complex operation, and it is commonly performed under local anaesthesia with sedation. Due to this, recovery is relatively straightforward and minimal. The majority of patients can return to work and normal activities in between one and two weeks, depending on the type of procedure they had. Full healing and final results, however, can be expected after three to six months. This largely depends on both the extent of plastic surgery and the ability of your body to heal.
Normally, chin reduction surgery is an outpatient procedure, so you won't have to stay in the hospital overnight. During the first day after your operation, you are more likely to experience moderate pain, numbness and discomfort in the jaw area. Therefore, it is best to take it easy and rest. You can also expect some swelling and bruising that may continue for several weeks.
Your surgeon may recommend that you take some pain medicines for a few days and follow a liquid diet. Usually, you will be able to transition to a soft diet in a few days. In most cases, normal eating can be resumed one week after surgery. You might also be told to sleep with your head elevated in order to control swelling.
While you may be able to go to work in about two weeks, it is recommended that you take it easy and avoid strenuous activity for a period of about 2-3 months. In addition, great oral hygiene should be practised since most of the time, the incisions are made inside the mouth. By not keeping your mouth clean throughout the healing process, you increase the risk of infection. You should also refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol.
In spite of the fact that chin reduction surgery is generally quite safe and rarely causes any serious complications, it is still an intervention, so it is still possible to experience unwanted side effects. We have listed some of them here.
In your pre-surgery consultation, you will be told about any complications that may arise. If you experience any abnormal side effects after the procedure, make sure you visit your doctor as soon as possible.
During your initial consultation, your surgeon will give you detailed instructions on how to prepare for a chin reduction procedure. You will normally be advised to avoid blood-thinning medications a week before the procedure, as well as to stop drinking and smoking a few weeks in advance.
You and your doctor will also talk about your goals and expectations. It is important to be clear about what you want to achieve so that the surgeon can decide the best approach for you. Be sure to inform your provider if you have any medical conditions or are currently taking any medications.
It is a good idea to prepare some soft food in advance and to buy the medications you will need after your surgery. This will make your recovery process a lot easier. Additionally, you may want to arrange for someone to pick you up home after the surgery since you will be not able to drive yourself.
The best candidates for chin reduction surgery are patients in good overall health who wish to achieve a slimmer face and more appealing chin shape in order to appear more feminine. There is a wide range of methods to correct an overly prominent chin. The right one for you depends on many factors, such as your goals, your facial structure, where your fat is located, whether it is mostly under your chin, or you have chubby cheeks.
If you are having trouble with excess skin and wrinkles around the neck, then you may be a suitable candidate for a neck lift. The procedure is normally performed through small incisions behind the ear and beneath the chin. A neck lift can give you a slimmer profile and a more youthful appearance.
In case you have bulky or puffy fat in the neck and jaw area, you are more likely to benefit from chin liposuction. Through this surgery, the doctor removes excess fat from the chin area to contour it and eliminate the appearance of a double chin. If you have excess skin and fat in the area below the face, then you may want to combine both neck lift and neck liposuction.
A mentoplasty (genioplasty) is an option if you simply want subtle, small changes to your chin and jawline. It can help to improve the appearance of a prominent chin. As part of the genioplasty procedure, excess bone may also be removed to create the desired shape and contour the jawline.
If you have some extra fat in the cheeks that give you an appearance of a rounder face and double chin, then you might be an ideal candidate for buccal fat removal surgery. It is a simple procedure that is done through an incision inside of the mouth, between the gums and cheek.
When it comes to improving your jawline, including your cheeks and chin, your best option is the Combination V-line Treatment. During the procedure, the plastic surgeon removes buccal fat pads and make an additional incision to remove fat beneath the chin. By combining double chin removal with buccal fat removal, you can achieve the slimmer, V-line face shape that you've always wanted.
The results of chin reduction surgery usually last a lifetime. It is important to keep in mind that although this cosmetic procedure can make your chin look significantly better, it will not prevent you from experiencing the effects of ageing. In other words, like every other part of your body, your chin will change over time. Whether it will take longer or shorter depends on the type of surgery you had, as well as how well you maintain the results.
For instance, if you had only chin liposuction or neck lift alone, you can expect changes after about 10 years. Genioplasty and buccal fat removal, on the other hand, are permanent options.
Dr. Shenthilkumar Naidu (Dr. Shens) is a Ministry of Health accredited Consultatn Plastic Surgeon with extensive expertise in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He is renowned for his advanced techniques in body contouring and aesthetic enhancements. For more information, visit Shens Clinic.
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