South Florida Plastic Surgery Associates - Don R. Revis, MD

Facial Implants

Adding Definition to Specific Areas of the Face with Facial Implants

Facial implants for the cheeks, chin, or jaw can establish a better balance to the face, resulting in improved facial harmony. If you are bothered by a weak chin, absence of cheekbones, or feel your face is too round, facial implants may yield the results you wish to achieve.

Facial implants are often performed in combination with other procedures. For instance, when a patient is having a rhinoplasty, or nose reshaping procedure, they may have a chin implant placed simultaneously. Similarly, it is not uncommon to place facial implants during a facelift, to restore the high cheekbones of youth.

If you think you might be a good candidate for a facial implant, this page will give you a basic understanding of the procedure and the results you can expect. However, Dr. Revis feels it is extremely important to individualize treatment to your specific circumstances and goals, therefore it is recommended that you visit our office for a complimentary consultation. You are also invited to email Dr. Revis with your questions, or we will mail you more detailed information regarding the procedure.

The Consultation

During your initial consultation, Dr. Revis will inquire about your medical history, prior procedures, medications, allergies, and your motivations for seeking plastic surgery. It is very important that you be thorough when providing your medical history, as this information helps to prevent complications during your care. When asked about medications, be sure to include any vitamin or herbal preparations, as these can affect your blood pressure and clotting ability. Honesty regarding your use of tobacco and alcohol is also very important, as these may have a profound impact on your recovery period and your ability to heal following your procedure.

After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Revis will discuss your concerns, priorities and motivations for pursuing plastic surgery, as well as your fears. After examining you, Dr. Revis will be able to offer advice and options to help you achieve the appearance you desire. He will explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different options you have before you. You will be shown the different implants that are available, and will be able to "try on" the different sizes. This will enable you to visualize how you will appear following your surgery and will assist you in selecting the proper size of implants to meet your expectations.

At the completion of your consultation, our Patient Coordinator will give you a written estimate of the cost of your procedure. At this time, you will also have the option to schedule your procedure if you so choose. The decision to undergo surgery is a very important one, and the final decision should be given very careful consideration. Dr. Revis realizes the importance of this decision, and at no time will you be pressured to make a decision. You are also encouraged to bring your spouse, significant other, family member, or a friend to your consultation.

Where Your Procedure Will Be Performed

Dr. Revis has been granted staff privileges at eight local hospitals and outpatient surgery centers. In the interest of the safety of his patients, he only performs surgery in fully accredited facilities with the proper services and staff. Dr. Revis usually performs facial implants at Broward General Medical Center or Imperial Point Medical Center (fully accredited hospitals) because the staff of these facilities are very experienced in the care of plastic surgery patients in general and specifically in the care of Dr. Revis’ patients.

Type(s) of Anesthesia

Anesthesia is an essential part of any surgical procedure and must be performed safely. General anesthesia is the deepest form of anesthesia. You are asleep, feel no pain, and will not remember the procedure. This type of anesthesia is most commonly used if you are having multiple procedures performed at the same time.

Deep intravenous sedation, called "twilight sleep," is a combination of local anesthetic administered at the surgical site by Dr. Revis and intravenous sedation administered by the anesthesiologist. You breathe for yourself, but you are in a deep sleep throughout the procedure. You should feel no pain, and you should not remember the procedure. This is the most common type of anesthesia used for the placement of facial implants.

Dr. Revis will discuss these options with you more thoroughly at the time of your consultation, and please ask him about anything you do not understand.

Details of the Procedure

The placement of facial implants takes one to one and a half hours to perform. After you are properly anesthetized, Dr. Revis will make the incisions necessary for placement of the implants.

For chin implants, you will have a choice of incisions, either beneath your chin, or on the inside of your mouth along the gum line of the lower teeth. For jaw implants, your incision will be made inside your mouth, in the gum line near your molar teeth. For cheek implants, the incision is determined by whether or not you are having other procedures performed simultaneously. If you are having a facelift, no additional incisions are required for the placement of cheek implants. If you are having lower eyelid surgery, again no additional incisions are necessary. If you are only having cheek implants placed, they may be placed through an incision in the mouth or through an incision made in the lower eyelid.

The only difference in these incision choices is that external incisions result in an external scar, although Dr. Revis carefully hides these incisions so that they fall in the natural boundaries between facial regions and are not very noticeable. If you choose to have your facial implants placed through an incision in your mouth, this approach carries a slightly higher risk of post-operative infection because of the numerous types of bacteria present in the mouth. Facial implants are made of silicone and, thus, are a foreign material. If they become infected they may have to be removed. They may then be replaced at a later date after the infection has resolved and the inflammation has subsided.

After Dr. Revis makes the necessary incision, a pocket is then created by gently dissecting the underlying tissues. Once the pockets have been created, the facial implants are inserted and the pockets are carefully closed with sutures.

Afterwards, the incisions are carefully closed to minimize your scar. Antibiotic ointment is then applied to your incisions. It is not necessary to place a bandage over the incisions.

Products to Help You Heal

SinEcch Arnica Montana is a natural product from Sweden which has been shown in clinical studies to reduce post-operative bruising and swelling. Begun the evening prior to surgery, this product is continued for four days post-operatively.

Regenerin Surgical Support Specially formulated for the surgical patient, this antioxidant and vitamin preparation will provide your body with the necessary nutrients and antioxidants to assist in healing your surgical wounds. Begun seven days prior to surgery, this product is then continued for one month post-operatively. Many patients find this product so beneficial that they continue on the Regenerin Daily Dietary Supplement Program after their healing is complete.

Unjury This protein powder contains 20 grams of protein per scoop, and is taken twice daily beginning two weeks preoperatively and continued four weeks post-operatively. It is an invaluable source of protein to provide your body with the basic building blocks necessary to form strong healed wounds. This product is also accompanied by a number of recipes for using this product with coffee, tea, milk, Crystal Lite, and Jell-O.

Scarguard MD A combination of hydrocortisone, silicone and Vitamin E, this product is painted on your scars topically like nail polish beginning three weeks after surgery, and it helps your scars fade so that they fade as much as possible.

All of these products are available for purchase in our office. Please ask us about these products and others if you have any further questions about whether or not these would be beneficial for you during your healing period.

After Your Procedure

Facial implants are performed as an outpatient procedure. After recovering in the recovery room for approximately one hour, you will be able to go home in the company of a friend or family member.

You should plan to take it easy following your surgery. No strenuous activities, heavy lifting (over 20 pounds), aerobic exercises, swimming, contact sports, tennis, or golf should be planned for the first week. As Dr. Revis monitors your recovery, he will advise you when it is safe to resume specific activities.

The Results You Can Expect

You will notice an improvement in your facial harmony immediately. You may experience soreness in the area of the implants, but this rapidly disappears. A very mild swelling usually takes several weeks to subside. You should be able to resume your normal daily activities the day after surgery, and you should be able to resume all of your physical activities within two weeks of surgery.

Read what patients have to say about Dr. Revis

Please call (954) 630-2009 for further information or email Dr. Revis.

Email: DrRevis@SouthFloridaPlasticSurgery.com