Facial Implants

What are facial implants?

Facial implants are molded enhancements to the facial skeleton. They are available in many shapes and sizes to suit the needs of each unique patient, and most often made from silastic, a solid form of silicone. They can be custom made if necessary.

Candidate for facial implants

These are some reasons a person would consider this surgery with Dr. Steinbacher:

• You have an undefined or weak jawline that recedes backwards and doesn’t frame your face or distinguish your neckline.
• You have a weak chin and seek to improve your profile by increasing the projection of your chin.
• You feel that your cheeks have flattened, and you want to return fullness.
• You wish to add volume to your cheeks and add contour to your facial structure.
• You want to correct facial issues caused by trauma or congenital conditions.

What are the benefits of facial implants?

Although considered aesthetic, facial implants can change a patient’s face, overcoming areas such as a “weak” chin. They can also replace volume in areas that have lost collagen and support with natural aging. If you don’t like your chin or how your cheeks have flattened, facial implants can change those perceived deficiencies and improve the way you see yourself.

Where Dr. Steinbacher will place your implants in your face

Dr. Derek Steinbacher places implants on the cheeks, chin, and the jawline.

Will I be able to feel my implants under my skin?

Your facial implants will settle into place over a healing period of a few weeks to a couple of months. These implants will become a part of your facial structure. After they have settled and you are fully recovered, it’s very rare to be able to feel their presence in any way. Remember, these are placed on the bone, beneath the skin and muscle tissue of the face. Soon enough you’ll almost forget they are there.

The potential risks involved with having facial implants

These are very straightforward procedures, and they involve little risk. Of course, like any surgery, there are risks with excessive bleeding, infection, and poor wound healing, but these are rare. The risks specific to facial implant surgeries are that the implants may shift or become malpositioned. The implants can sometimes be fractured by serious trauma. There is also a slight risk of infection around the implant.

Thanks to Dr. Steinbacher’s training, expertise, and experience as a board-certified plastic surgeon, the risks involved with these procedures are quite low.

Is there any preparation for my facial implant surgery?

These are minor surgeries, but they are still surgery, so you’ll need to prepare as you would for any surgery. You’ll need to stop taking any blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and most herbal supplements for one week prior to your surgery with Dr. Steinbacher.

As mentioned in the recovery section, you’ll need to sleep with your head at a 45-degree angle and your face upward for the first week, so make the necessary arrangements in your bed or wherever you feel you can maintain this position (such as a recliner). Extra pillows to keep you in place and to prevent rolling onto your face are a good idea.

How facial implant surgery is performed

Facial implants are placed on top of the facial bones to enhance facial contour. This is usually done by Dr. Steinbacher as an outpatient surgery under a kind of anesthesia called “intravenous sedation” (similar to that used for colonoscopy). Most commonly done to improve the strength of the cheekbones, these implants are placed between the bone and the skin through incisions made inside the mouth, behind the cheek.

What will my recovery be like after receiving facial implants?

There will be swelling, bruising, and some discomfort with the placement of any facial implants, no matter the location. You will also feel tightness due to the added volume. This will diminish rapidly as the tissues adjust to the implant. For chin and jaw implants, you may feel as if it is difficult to smile or talk. You need to avoid movements or any force against the implant locations during your initial recovery.

For the first week, you’ll need to sleep in a face-up position at a 45-degree angle to keep stress off the area. For incisions in the mouth, you’ll need to be on a soft diet for up to 10 days. Most patients can return to work in one week. Obviously, you will see your results immediately, but they will continue to improve as swelling subsides.

Is it painful recovering after having facial implants placed?

These are not overly painful recoveries. The incisions made to place facial implants are small. They’re made in the mouth, within the lower eyelid, or under the chin. The pain afterwards is not acute but aching and soreness. Most patients don’t feel the need for prescription pain medication (although Dr. Steinbacher can prescribe this if necessary), opting instead for over-the-counter pain medication.

Will I have visible scarring after having my facial implant surgery?

Dr. Steinbacher makes all the incisions for the various implant locations either within the mouth, inside the lower eyelid, or under the chin. These are invisible with the mouth and eyelid, and the chin scar becomes virtually invisible in a short time.

The potential alternatives to facial implants

Facial implants offer a long-lasting, one-step option for facial enhancement. Other options include fat transfer, or several types of “deep” temporary fillers. Each one of these options is frequently performed. Dr. Steinbacher can help you decide which one of these choices best suits your needs.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are interested in learning more about facial implants please contact our CT office today at (203) 453-6635.

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