Facial implants were created to add fullness or contour, giving facial features a more proportional look. They may also be used to reconstruct the face after an injury or to rejuvenate an area of the face that has been compromised due to aging or disease. Facial implants can alter a feature by changing its size, sculpting and adding contours or correcting a deformity.
The Procedures
Dr. Patrick Swier will make a small incision under the upper lip or lower lip, inside the mouth or at the gum or lip junction. A pocket is made over the cheeks or chin, the implant is inserted and the area is stitched. The entire procedure usually takes between one and two hours.
Key Facts
Good Candidates: Patients must be at least 18 years of age who no longer experience growth spurts and have healthy facial tissues and muscles. Patients should be healthy and not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that would impair healing, should not smoke and have a positive outlook but realistic goals in mind.
Anesthesia: General anesthesia
Length of procedure: This procedure takes approximately 1-2 hours but times may vary from patient to patient depending on several factors.
Length of stay: Typically the patient will go home same day
Discomfort: Swelling, soreness and bruising around the eyes, cheeks and mouth can last several days and may take 1-2 weeks to resolve completely. Pain level may be mild to moderate and controlled with pain medications but will vary from patient to patient.
Recovery: The patient will be required to rest quietly, keep head elevated for several days and wear sunglasses to protect the eye area until initial swelling has subsided. It is very important to precisely follow post-op instructions given by Dr. Patrick Swier to ensure proper healing and exceptional results. Patients are typically able to go back to work 1 week after surgery.
Final result: Improvement can be seen immediately but final results after the healing process can take up to 3 months as bruising and swelling resolves.
Duration of results: Results will last many years as long as the patient follows all post-op instructions and maintains a healthy lifestyle; specifically, avoiding use of tobacco products
