The popularity of chin implant surgeries has risen dramatically over the past couple of decades, helping women and men redefine their facial curves and contours and improve the balance and symmetry of their facial features.
If chin implant surgery is in your future, you’re probably wondering what you can do to prepare for it. At Sanctuary Cosmetic Center in McLean and Dulles, Virginia, Soheila Rostami, MD, FAAO, FAACS, and Joseph K. Davidson, MD, FACS, offer these six tips to help you get ready.
Before your chin implant procedure, you’ll receive instructions about preparing, what to do on the day of your procedure (and the night before), and recovery care. Review those materials thoroughly, so you can ask about anything you’re unclear about.
You’ll also want to make sure you understand the procedure steps, when you’ll be discharged, and how you’ll feel in the hours after your surgery. Asking these questions — and any others you may have — before your surgery helps you feel more relaxed and at ease when the big day arrives.
If you smoke, you probably hear this all the time, but if you plan on having surgery — any type of surgery — quitting smoking before your procedure is essential. That’s because smoking interferes with circulation, which can delay healing and increase your risk of infection. Ideally, you’ll want to quit a few weeks before your procedure to give your body a chance to recover from the effects of smoking.
Some medications increase the risk of bleeding or cause other issues that could interfere with your surgery. During your consultation visit, be sure to provide the doctor with a list of all the medications, vitamins, and supplements you take — yes, even the herbal ones.
Many powerful medicines come from plants. A supplement derived from an herb doesn’t mean it can’t cause serious side effects. The doctor will decide if it’s OK to take your medicines before surgery or if you need to alter your dosing until the procedure is over.
If you’re feeling a little nervous about your surgery, having a drink might be a good way to relax. But, like smoking, alcohol can interfere with your surgery and recovery. In fact, even a moderate amount of alcohol can increase your risks of bleeding and infection. Ideally, you’ll want to avoid alcohol for 48 hours before your surgery.
Most people take at least a week for the initial healing and recovery phase after a chin implant. After surgery, you won’t be able to do any heavy lifting during those early days of recovery, and you’ll need to take it easy. Getting your home ready can make your recovery a lot more pleasant.
Get your grocery shopping done and do some tidying up before your surgery, and consider preparing some meals in advance, too. It’s also a good idea to stock up on a few button-up or zip-up shirts so you don’t have to pull a top over your head. And don’t forget: You’ll need someone to drive you home after your procedure, too.
Chin implant surgery can dramatically improve your facial contours, symmetry, and profile. It also complements other facial surgeries and procedures, such as rhinoplasty and neck liposuction. You can discuss these other options with the doctor during your initial consultation procedure to ensure you achieve the results you’re looking for.
If you have questions about your upcoming surgery, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Sanctuary Cosmetic Center today.
