What is Genioplasty & Its Types, Procedure, and Recovery?
Genioplasty / Chin Implants
If you’re looking to change your appearance, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Genioplasty. Many people get this surgery to change the shape of their face, but what is it?
Genioplasty is a surgery that alters the chin. It can be used to aid breathing in the upper airway or for cosmetic reasons. Because the procedure involves operating on bones, it takes around 6 to 8 weeks to heal, and people are urged to eat a soft diet for some time.
You probably still have a lot of questions about Genioplasty. Don’t worry; we’ll delve into it below so you learn everything you need to know about its types, procedure, and recovery.
Types of Genioplasty
It’s essential to know the different types of Genioplasty before proceeding with any sort of surgery. Here are the two types:
- Sliding Genioplasty : A surgeon will use a saw to cut away parts of the jaw. This allows them to move it into place and then create a different look. This uses the patient’s own bone to complete the procedure.
- Chin Implant : A chin implant is a form of Genioplasty, but instead of using the patient’s bone, an implant is placed to create the look required.
It really depends on the patient’s needs whether the surgeon would recommend Sliding Genioplasty or a chin surgery. If the patient requires a fuller look in the jaw, in all likelihood, it will be a chin implant. The surgeon will only be able to go the Sliding Genioplasty route if the patient is removing parts of the bone to create a less prominent chin.
What Can You Expect After Surgery?
Getting Genioplasty surgery is not a simple procedure, and that is reflected in the healing time, which can take 6 to 8 weeks. Following whatever your surgeon tells you will result in the best results. Here are some more things you need to know about the recovery.
- There will be swelling and bruising: The surgery is invasive on the face, which means swelling and bruising will occur. It is perfectly normal when it comes to such a hefty procedure. Cold compresses are great for swelling. Plenty of water will help with the healing.
- You can return to work after two weeks: You will still need to take a lot of care to ensure there is no trauma to the face. You can gradually return to regular activity from the third week.
- You should avoid any type of sports until fully healed: Bone is soft when it has been operated on, meaning that any sort of injury could ruin the procedure and harm your look.
- Toothbrushing is off-limits for a few days: Do not attempt to use a toothbrush. A glycerin swab will help keep things clean throughout that time.
- Do not attempt to move your chin: The recovery calls for your chin to have little impact, which means you always need to consider whether any activity will make it move.
- Expect post-operative pain: This can be managed with prescribed medication. Only take other painkillers if the surgeon authorizes it.
- You can shower after one day: You need to wash your face gently, and rubbing too hard could move the chin out of place. Always exercise caution.
If you follow the above steps, the road to recovery should be relatively simple, but there’s still more you need to know about the aftermath of the surgery.
Can You Eat After Surgery?
It is essential to be aware that you should not consume food for the first two days after surgery. Any sort of movement will result in a lot of pain and could mean that the chin will not heal in the way the surgery calls for it to.
Drinking water is an excellent way to promote healing, but liquid supplements are also an excellent way to get nutrients in those days to make sure you’re nourished during that time.
You can reintroduce food on the third day, but only a soft diet for five days. This will allow your face to continue healing during that time. You can reintroduce your usual diet after a week but go at your own pace. Don’t force yourself to eat hard foods.
Soup is a great food to eat because of the number of nutrients in it but it always goes smooth. You don’t want to be chewing chunky soup. That will not be good for the recovery in those initial days post-surgery.
Speak to a Medical Professional if You’re Considering Genioplasty. Now all you have to do is consider whether the Genioplasty is right for you. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery West Hollywood is one of the places that offers the surgery, so you should speak to a professional about it.
