Cincinnati Plastic Surgery Specialists in Chin Enhancement (Mentoplasty)
Thank you for considering UC Health Plastic Surgery for your plastic surgery procedure. We offer a safe, comfortable atmosphere in our modern, state-of-the-art facility located in West Chester, Ohio, convenient to both Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio. We offer a friendly staff of nurses and administrative support to help with your scheduling issues and questions.
What is Mentoplasty?
Procedure Benefits
- Gives a stronger look to the chin
- Reduces an oversized chin
- Enhances a receding or “weak” chin
Private Consultation
The plastic surgeon, at our conveniently located Cincinnati offices, will carefully examine the skin and bones around your chin to determine whether you are a candidate for a mentoplasty. You will discuss your goals and expectations, and the surgeon will explain the surgical options and implant material options. Your surgeon may suggest other procedures in conjunction with a chin enhancement to give you a complete rejuvenation of your face, including the nose, ears, and eyes. The surgeon will evaluate your overall health to ascertain that you are able to undergo this procedure. You should be prepared to discuss your complete medical history, including previous procedures and any medications you are taking (including vitamins). You will also discuss the cost of the procedure, keeping in mind that this is an elective procedure which is not covered by most insurance companies unless it is for a genetic deformity.
Preparation
If you have a medical condition such as high blood pressure, it must be controlled before you can undergo this procedure. For at least two weeks prior to surgery, you must stop taking any blood-thinning medications and herbal supplements. After you have scheduled a surgery date, you will make an appointment for pre-admission testing and a physical exam. The surgery should take place within 2 weeks after the results of these tests have been returned. You will receive guidelines on eating and drinking, taking vitamins and medications, and smoking. Smoking should be stopped 2-3 months before the operation because it reduces the blood supply to tissue. In fact, some surgeons will refuse to perform elective surgery on smokers due to this risk. You should arrange for someone to drive you home from our Cincinnati offices after your surgery and to help you out for a few days if needed.
Procedure Overview
The procedure is performed in about 1-3 hours (depending on extent of enhancement) as an outpatient surgery in our surgical facility in West Chester. Mentoplasty is performed under general anaesthesia or using local anaesthetic with sedation. A small incision is made in the natural crease line under the chin or inside the mouth where the lower lip and gum meet. If a “double chin” requires reduction, an incision is made underneath the chin for liposuction. The surgeon stretches the tissue to create a pocket for insertion of the implant or synthetic paste, which is then molded and sutured in place. If the chin size is being reduced, the bone of the chin is sculpted. Very fine sutures are used to close the incision(s). Screws or plates are not usually necessary.
Recovery and Healing Time
After surgery, patients typically experience some temporary bruising and swelling, and a stretched or tight sensation around the chin. There is relatively little pain, which can be controlled with prescription medication. Protective dressing is worn over the chin for 2-3 days. A liquid and soft food diet is recommended for the first few days to avoid chewing. Sutures are removed within 1 week (unless they are self-dissolving sutures). Patients can usually return to work and normal activities in about 7-10 days after surgery, but should avoid any bumping or jarring of the face for 6 weeks. Most of the swelling will fade within 6 weeks, and the complete enhancement will then be apparent. If the incision was made inside of the mouth, no scars will be visible. For incisions made under the chin, the small scar is well-concealed in the natural crease of the chin and will fade even more as time passes.
Procedure Risks
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Swelling
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Scarring
- Decreased sensation in lips
- Implant shifting, requiring additional surgery
- Rejection of implant by body, requiring removal
UC Health Plastic Surgery in West Chester, has three nationally recognized Cincinnati plastic surgeons.
Located north of Cincinnati, we serve West Chester, Mason, Loveland, Indian Hill and the rest of Greater Cincinnati and Dayton for all of their plastic surgery procedure needs.
