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In this Article

• What is a Face Implant?
• Am I A Candidate For a Face Implant?
• How Do I Know If a Face Implant is Right For Me?
• How Are Face Implants Done?
• Where Are Face Implants Placed?
• How Do I Prepare For A Face Implant?
• What Will I Need When I Am Home?
• Are There Complications With Face Implants?
• After Having An Implant, When to Call Your Doctor
• Does Insurance Cover Facial Implants?
• Find a local Plastic Surgeon in your town
• Chin, Cheek, and Jaw Implants Index

Where Are Face Implants Placed?

• Lower jaw implant. The implant is placed inside of the lower lip. Incision site will be secured with sutures that will dissolve in about one week. The procedure takes one to two hours.
• Cheek implant. The implant is placed internally through upper lip or externally via your lower eyelid. Sutures will vary depending on whether they're internal or external. The procedure take about an hour.
• Chin implant. The implant is placed internally to the lower lip, or under your chin. As with the cheek implant, sutures will vary depending on whether they're internal or external. The procedure takes 30 minutes to an hour

How Do I Prepare For a Face Implant?

The good news about facial implants is that the recovery is quick. You should need only to take one week off from work, at most. Of course, your recovery will depend on your own personal habits and whether or not you're having other surgery performed.

You should plan to have someone drive you home from the hospital. If you live alone, you should also plan to have someone stay with you at least the first night once you're home.

Make sure to wear a loose blouse or shirt that does not have to be pulled over your face. Your surgeon will instruct you on which foods and medications to avoid before and after facial implant surgery. If you are a smoker, your surgeon may ask you to quit smoking for a certain period before and after the surgery.

What Will I Need When I'm Home?

Make sure you establish a home recovery area, which should include:

• Plenty of ice
• Freezer bags
• Ointments or creams as recommended by the surgeon for any external incision sites
• Clean gauze
• Soft foods, such as protein shakes, pudding, Jell-O, ice cream
• Telephone within reaching distance of your primary recovery area
• Mouthwash (note that tooth brushing may be restricted based on your surgeon's recommendations)

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