Chin Implant

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have a question about chin implant surgery. I recently had a small central chin implant put in and I am about 3 1/2 weeks post-op. I really dislike the shape and am wondering if an extended chin implant would have been a better option. I have shadows/dents on either side of my chin.

A:  There are numerous styles to choose from for chin implant surgery. Obviously selection of chin implant style and size are critical in getting the optimal desired aesthetic chin augmentation effect. While a central chin implant is often a good choice for some women, it does not provide any augmentation effects to the side of the chin since it does not extend past a vertical line dropped down from the corners of the mouth on the bone. Since you are seeing shadows/indents on the side of the chin, this would strongly suggest that this indeed a chin shape or chin style  issue. The question is at just under four weeks after surgery whether this is too early to make a final judgment about the outcome of your chin augmentation procedure. I would give it a full three months after the initial surgery date before making a final judgment about the decision to change your chin implant.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana