How Does The Custom Jawline Implant Process Work For Out Of Town Patients?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have questions about custom facial implants, specifically about a jawline implant?

Do you typically use standard implants or custom (3D-designed) implants?
What is the earliest availability for consultation, surgery?
Do you offer virtual consultations initially?
How many in-person visits are required (pre-op / surgery / post-op)?
How long should I plan to stay in town after surgery before flying back?

A:In answer to your questions about custom jawline implants:

1) All jaw augmentation done today are done with 3-D custom wrap around jawline implants due to their far superior results.

2) The implant design and fabrication process takes several months to complete and that is the rate limiting step in the availability for surgery.

3) Virtual consultations is how we interact with every single patient.

4) For the vast majority of our patients they only come here for the actual surgery. All other pre-and postoperative sessions are done in a virtual manner unless there are compelling reasons to do otherwise.

5) Most patients arrive one day before the surgery to meet and review the surgical plan. They then returned home 48 hours after the surgery.

6) The cost of surgery is partially influenced by the material chosen for the implant which is largely patient driven. This could include silicone, PEEK, Medpor, or titanium. For an initial quote it will be done in the most economical material which is silicone and the one about 80% of patients choose for their implant. Each material has their advantages and disadvantages. No implant material is perfect. It all depends on the implant design and its size as to which material may have the most advantages.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon