Chin Implant Surgery (Genioplasty or “Micrognathia” Surgery) Sydney North Shore
Chin Implant Surgery or Genioplasty is a procedure that involves changing the size and shape of the chin to make it appear more in proportion to the rest of the face. In particular if the chin is very small it can make other parts of the face look disproportionately large such as the nose.
A chin implant can:
- Change the size and shape of the chin
- Increase the definition and protrusion of a small chin
- Restore facial proportions
- Improve facial profile
- Improve the relationship of the nose, upper and lower lips
Patients seek genioplasty surgery to:
- Correct a small chin
- Achieve a chin shape and size in proportion to the rest of the face
- Achieve a change in the facial profile, shape and image.
- Improve self-confidence and esteem
The best candidates for chin implant surgery are adults who:
- Are physically and mentally healthy
- Have normal occlusion (that is, how their teeth naturally meet)
- Have other balanced parts of the face
- Have realistic expectations
- Do not smoke
Chin implant surgery may not be suitable for:
- Boys and Girls who have not completed their growth
- Anyone with abnormal occlusion or position of their jaws
- men and women who :
- Have multiple medical problems
- Are on blood thinning medication
- Have unrealistic expectations
- Have had multiple previous operations on the chin or multiple previous implants.
At MODE, Dr Aggarwal will guide you through the planning of surgery and help decide which procedure is best suited to achieve your goals.
- Anaesthetic: GA by accredited anaesthetist
- Time: 1-1.5 hours
- Duration of stay: Day stay
- Hospital: Any of the hospitals where Dr Aggarwal works – usually SAN Day Surgery or Hunters Hill Private.
- Medicare/Health fund rebate: The procedure is regarded as cosmetic, and unfortunately there is no rebate from Medicare or health funds for cosmetic surgery.
- Recovery: You go home the same day after surgery. You will be given instructions on what you can and can’t do, as well as what you can and cannot eat.
- Results: Most of the initial result is noticeable after the swelling subsides in the first few weeks. However it can take up to 6 months to achieve final results, and these can vary from patient to patient.
Cosmetic Concerns
- A scar is placed just behind the groove under the chin where it is largely hidden
- Occasionally a scar is placed inside the mouth, but through this route there is a larger concern of infection of the implant.
- An implant is a foreign body and therefore has a life span
- Many can go 10 years or more without needing to be replaced
- As with any other implants we suggest regular ongoing review and if there is concern regarding the integrity of the implant there may be a need to change it in the future.
- This procedure is also called a genioplasty however this requires work on the bone of the chin itself rather than insertion of an implant – often called ‘osseous genioplasty’
- Dr Aggarwal does not perform this procedure however we would be more than happy to refer you to an appropriate surgeon who regularly performs this procedure.
Procedure Information
The procedure is usually performed under general anaesthesia given by an accredited anaesthetist in a fully accredited and licensed facility (usually one of the North Shore’s premier private hospitals). The procedure takes one to one and a half hours and patients go home the same day.
- Dr Aggarwal will mark you before your procedure, taking into account the changes you wish to achieve.
- The scar of a chin implant procedures is placed just behind the groove under the chin. Sometimes it is placed inside the mouth.
- Chin implants are made of silicone which is the same material that is used to create other implants such as breast implants. Silicone is inert so the body recognises it as foreign without reacting to it. The body forms a natural capsule around this device.
- Other chin implants are made of Medpor, which is a porous substance used to allow tissue integration. Over time the body will make it part of its own (as opposed to forming a capsule around the silicone implant).
- Both implants have pros and cons and Dr Aggarwal will be more than happy to discuss these with you during consultation.
- Local anaesthetic is carefully injected just under the skin.
- The skin is incised (or the mucosa inside the mouth is incised)
- Dissection is then carried on top of the bone in front and to either side of the chin to accommodate the implant. The pocket size is controlled so that the implant fits snugly and has no room to move.
- Care is also taken to place the implant along the lower border of the jaw bone (the mandible).
- The skin is then closed in layers.
- Dressings are placed on the incision
- You will be able to go home the same day in the company of a responsible person who can make sure you are comfortable, and alert Dr Aggarwal if there are any concerns.
- It is also a good idea to keep your head elevated when you sleep at least for the first 3-4 nights and up to a week.
- You will be given a script for antibiotics by Dr Aggarwal which you must continue for 1 week. You will also be given appropriate pain relief medications.
- While most sedentary activities can be resumed when you go home, you must lay low and not exert yourself. You should refrain from any activity that raises your blood pressure for the first week. Most people are able to return to normal work at 1-2 weeks.
- Dr Aggarwal will see regularly after your discharge from hospital.
Risks & Complications
Every surgery carries risks, and therefore one must consider if risks outweigh the benefits for your own personal situation. If they do then the surgery may be well worth it. Dr Aggarwal will discuss the pros and cons of surgery with you during your consultation.
- Risks of anaesthetic – there are general risks of going under an anaesthetic such as a mild stress on the heart and lungs, risk of reaction to anaesthetic drugs and risk of clotting in the legs. There is also a risk of aspiration (fluids from the stomach going into the lungs) as well as nausea and vomiting post procedure. These risks are low in patients who are otherwise fit and healthy but anaesthesia can affect different patients in different ways.
- Bleeding (1-2%) – any bleeding is controlled during surgery however unexpected bleeding can occur in the immediate postoperative period. If this occurs it will necessitate a return to theatre to control the bleeding.
- Infection (<1%) – this is uncommon but can occur in any implant surgery. It is for this reason that Dr Aggarwal prefers an external incision. An incision inside the mouth, while concealed, risks introducing infection from the mouth to around the implant. You are given antibiotics during induction (when you are going to sleep), as well as a course of oral antibiotics after your surgery to keep this risk to a minimum. In an event of an infection around the implant, it may be necessary to remove the implant to treat the infection.
- Asymmetry to the chin – while chin augmentation surgery aims to achieve symmetry as much as possible, small asymmetries are common. The chin implant is always symmetrical and follows the curvature of the mandible bone. Any asymmetries in the natural curve of the bone can therefore be exaggerated with this surgery. Large degrees of asymmetry are rare.
- Implant displacement – Fortunately this is rare but can occur due to the pocket of the implant being too large or external trauma or force causing the implant to dislodge. This may require repeat surgery to correct.
- Abnormal bumps or lumps that were not there before– this can be due to the implant being palpable through the skin although this is not that common with a chin implant.
- Suture infection – occasionally sutures placed in the skin layers deep to the skin can come through the skin (rather than dissolve) creating a mild infection. This is more common in the perioperative period but can occur few weeks down the track as the sutures dissolve over few weeks. If it occurs antibiotics, topical wound care and suture removal may be needed to settle it down.
- Hypertrophic or poor scars – How one’s body behaves to scarring is individual and largely genetic. Some types of skin are more prone to hypertrophic or keloid scarring, and some individuals and families are more prone to this. We will routinely advise you on how to improve the quality of scars over time. You should also discuss any history of abnormal scarring with Dr Aggarwal preoperatively.
Procedure FAQs
- It is not necessary to obtain a referral.
- If you do obtain a referral it is possible to claim a Medicare rebate of approximately $73 for the initial consultation
- However because the surgery is entirely cosmetic it does not attract any rebates from Medicare or Health Funds.
- You can see us at our main practice at Gordon, or at our other locations at Hornsby, Hunters Hill or Camperdown.
- Please scroll to the bottom of the page to find out more information about these locations.
- Any of the hospitals where Dr Aggarwal works: most commonly at the SAN Day Surgery, or Hunters Hill Private.
- Cease fish oil, and other supplements such as Ginkgo, Ginseng.
- Please discuss with Dr Aggarwal if you are on blood thinning medications as to when you should stop and recommence those.
- Stop smoking well in advance of surgery.
- You must not do any activity that raises your blood pressure for 72 hours
- Most people are able to resume most activities at 1-2 weeks.
- Dr Aggarwal will provide you with the necessary scripts for antibiotics and pain relief.
- You may be given a chin strap to wear.
- Not usually.
- However the implant will need to be removed and replaced in the case of silicone implants down the track.
- Yes
- However we always encourage patients not to be away overseas shortly after having a procedure, so that we can closely follow your recovery and address any concerns that may arise.
- You can swim in a pool or beach after 2 to 3 weeks once all wounds have healed.
- It is best to not drive for the 24-48 hours after chin augmentation surgery due to possible effects of the anaesthetic. Early swelling and discomfort may also interfere with your ability to do normal things like driving and its best to make sure you are feeling comfortable before driving or operating heavy machinery.
- This surgery is performed under a general anaesthetic in an accredited private hospital.
- Osseous genioplasty
- As the name suggests this involves cutting the bone of the chin, which can then be reduced, moved forward or back. Plates and screws are then placed to hold the bone in the new position which the body heals over a period of 6-8 weeks.
- This is a larger operation with a longer recovery
- It has the advantage of being able to reduce the proportion of the chin which other surgeries cannot achieve.
- This is usually performed by craniofacial surgeons and if needed we would be happy to recommend one to you.
Procedure Pricing
- A quote for this procedure will be provided to you after a consultation with Dr. Aggarwal. You can also call or email our office for our current indicative pricing.
- This fee is all inclusive, which includes
- Surgical fees
- Hospital theatre fees
- Anaesthetist fees
- Implant costs
- Follow up
- There is no rebate for cosmetic surgery.
- Please note that the above prices do not include
- Preoperative consultation fees
Why Choose Us
Highly Skilled
Highly skilled Fellowship Trained Plastic surgeon – know you are in the safest of hands with a Plastic Surgeon who is experienced, highly respected, and appointed at premier Sydney hospitals- including the SAN, RPA, POWH and RHW.
Safety
If sedation or general anaesthetic is required, it is delivered by an accredited anaesthetist
Accommodation
Have your surgery at premier, accredited Sydney private hospitals
Upfront Costs
We provide written quotes, so there are no surprises.
Patient Centered Care
We make you our top priority. Need to ask a question, worried about dressings or something else post op? We will always be at your beck and call.
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Mode Plastic Surgery
924 Pacific Highway
Gordon NSW 2072
Consulting time
Multiple options throughout the week
Address
Chris O’Brien Lifehouse
Level 2, Clinic D
119-143 Missenden Road
Camperdown NSW 2050
Consulting time
Alternate Thursdays
Address
Hunters Hill Clinic
Level 1, 6 Ryde Road
Hunters Hill NSW 2110
Consulting time
Once a month Thursday morning.
Address
Strathfield Private Hospital
3 Everton Road
Strathfield NSW 2135
Consulting time
Once a month Tuesday morning.
Address
St Luke’s Private Hospital
18 Roslyn Street
Potts Point, NSW, 2011
Consulting time
One Friday each month.
Address
Hornsby Medical Specialists
39 Palmerston Road
Hornsby NSW 2077
Address
Castlecrag Private Hospital
150 Edinburgh Road
Castlecrag NSW 2068
Phone:
info@modeplasticsurgery.com.au
Suite 13, 924 Pacific Highway
Gordon NSW 2072, Australia
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