What Happens During a Chin Reduction Surgery?
When it comes to facial evenness, balance is an important part. While many photos on your newsfeed may tell you that people have flawless facial features, the reality is that most have at least one facial feature that is not in balance with the structure of their faces.
One of the major facial features that determine your appearance is your chin. A huge chin (microgenia) can misrepresent your facial profile, making your nose and other features on the face look quite small. A chin reduction surgery brings back a natural balance to your face in a less invasive way.
What Is Chin Reduction Surgery?
A chin reduction (or chin shaving) surgery is a surgical procedure that decreases the size of a chin that is too large or overly wide. It does this by moving your lower jaw into a more balanced size and shape.
Who Can Have a Chin Reduction Surgery?
Chin reduction surgery is recommended for people whose chins are sticking out too far or too wide. Chins that are popping out too much may make people feel that their chins are drawing attention from their faces. This can make a person feel quite self-conscious about his or her general appearance.
What Happens During the Procedure?
During a chin reduction surgery, the surgeon begins by making a small cut under your chin in a discreet location or behind your lower lip inside your mouth. After making the small cut, the surgeon contours the bone to a size and shape that is more balanced.
Your surgeon may remove soft tissues and extra fat in the process. If your chin is trimmed too far back, the surgeon may relocate the bone, moving it forward. After completing all the surgical work, your surgeon will close the cut with sutures, skin tapes, or adhesives. If your surgeon made the cut inside your mouth, you would have no noticeable scars.
Are There Any Side Effects in Chin Reduction Surgery?
All surgeries come with risks. The potential side effects linked to chin reduction surgery include the following:
Swelling for a couple of weeks as the bone recovers
Reactions to anesthesia that can affect your respiratory system
Numbness in the chin due to minor nerve injury
Infections (although rare)
Are the Results Immediate?
The results from a chin reduction surgery are instant. However, the swelling from the procedure can make your chin look big at first. It may take some time for the bone to heal and the swelling to go down before you can recognize the change. The final outcome should be visible in a few weeks or within several months.
As you recover, you can expect to receive pain relief medication to ease the pain and soreness for a couple of days after the surgery. You can resume work and mild activities within a week or two after the procedure. More strenuous activities may have to wait a couple of weeks.
For more information on what happens during a chin reduction surgery or to schedule a consultation, call Aesthetic Surgical Associates at our office in Metairie, Louisiana at 504-226-8200 today.
