Type of Surgery

Information

Doctor Certified

Last updated: 11/24/2009

Risks

Patients that have facial implant surgery should expect their face to become quite swollen and bruised after the procedure. This bruising could last for several days. Also, this procedure may be associated with more pain than many cosmetic procedures...

because the bone may be disturbed.  Pain medication will be prescribed to ease this discomfort. If you are sensitive to opioid pain medications like morphine and oxycodone, as many people are, you should consider this in advance of the procedure.
 
The primary concern with facial implants is infection. Since a foreign object is being introduced into the body, the chance for infection is higher than for other types of surgery. Because of this increased risk, your surgeon will take special precautions to maintain absolutely sterile conditions during the procedure. Also, you may be given antibiotics before, during and/or after the procedure to help reduce the chance of infection. Despite these considerations, infections do occur and may require that the implant be removed.
 
There are several ways that the implant can be inserted under the skin and each has its advantages and disadvantages. It is possible that a facial implant may move out its intended place. If this happens, an additional surgery may be required to reposition the implant.


NEXT:
PREVIOUS:

Advertisement

This video shows "after" photos of some of patients who underwent face transplant surgery. Face transplant is a technically demanding surgery and has been performed only a few times throughout the world.

Related Videos

First Face Transplant

Interview with the lead surgeon who performed the first full face transplant surgery in the United States. The video the process that was involved with the face transplant procedure, the benefit to the patient and the possible ethical concerns to this ground-breaking procedure.

Acne Scars (Acne #6)

A physician describes what causes acne to develop and how it can lead to facial scars. She also describes several acne scarring treatments including collagen injections, dermal fat injections, dermabrasion, and laser skin treatments. The doctor also describes the role of skin transplant surgery and skin grafts in acne scar repair.

Face Lift - Presented by Plastic Surgery Partners

Three dimensional animation is used to show what takes place during a standard face lift. Photos of patients before and after face lift surgery are provided.

The Human Skin Animation Video

We look at our skin everyday, but what does the skin look like up close and just under the surface. This animation shows what the skin would look like under magnification. The narrator explains the various things found within the skin such as hair follicles and sensory nerve endings.

Search

Other Information

Facial implants are designed for augmentative, reconstructive or rejuvenative purposes. Available in a wide range of sizes and styles for the chin, jaw, nose and cheek, implants add or restore contour and/or proportion to the face.
 
The procedure follows a similar pattern for all facial areas. The surgeon makes a small incision near where the implant will be placed, either in a crease or inside the mouth at the gum/lip junction. Then a pocket is made in the facial tissue, the implant inserted, and the incision is stitched. The process generally takes 1-2 hours, usually with general anesthesia. The incision is bandaged or taped, and stitches are removed in 5-10 days (sutures placed inside the mouth will dissolve in a similar period of time). Sometimes facial implants are inserted at the same time as a facelift, nose or eyelid procedure is performed.


From http://www.surgery.org/public/procedures/facial_implants

Find a Qualified Specialist

Looking for a specialist?

Please enter your zip code.