Perhaps you have caught yourself admiring the faces of celebrities in a magazine spread. Or maybe your co-worker or neighbor has returned from vacation looking refreshed and rejuvenated in a way you can’t quite put your finger on.
In these and similar situations, it is highly likely that you are looking at the results of facial implants! Facial implants can give the face a more contour, symmetry, enhancement and smoothness. The key is to work with your natural facial structure and face shape to achieve your appearance goals.
What Are Facial Implants Made Of?
You will be happy to learn that modern facial implants are made from wonderfully smooth and flexible material that provide for natural, comfortable contouring. As well, there are no “one size fits all” facial implants – rather, a great variety and diversity of types, shapes and sizes exist to create a finely tuned, individualized cosmetic procedure.
The most common materials used to make today’s facial implants include silicone and porous polyethylene. These are materials that is classified as inert, or chemically inactive, which means that they cause no issue or reaction with the surrounding biophysical matter of your tissues, muscles and bones. So facial implants are typically quite safe to use with patients who are healthy in all other ways.
Where Can Facial Implants Be Placed?
Facial implants can be placed in the upper face, the mid face and the lower face areas. Typically, upper face implants may be placed in the forehead or under the scalp line.
Midface implants may be placed in the area of the cheeks and nasal areas (tip, bridge). Lower face implants may be placed in the chin or along the jawline.
Are Facial Implants Safe?
So long as you are basically healthy in all other ways, facial implants are generally considered to be a very safe type of cosmetic surgery procedure.
As with any invasive procedure (procedure requiring incisions), there are always some minor risks involved, including bleeding, bruising, infection at the incision site(s), scarring, uneven results and shifting. Minimizing these risks is best achieved by following your surgeon’s post-operative recovery recommendations to the letter.
Can Facial Implants Shift?
While the risk of this is becoming less as modern cosmetic surgery improves, the simple truth is that yes, facial implants can shift. However, contrary to popular assumptions, the risk of your implant shifting is greatest within the first six months after your procedure and it lessens with time.
The most common reasons why an implant may shift include resuming regular activities too soon following surgery, impact to the face (such as from sports activities, a serious fall or an auto accident), or poor placement to begin with.
This is why selection of your cosmetic surgeon is critical when you decide to have facial implants. Installation and placement of facial implants is a precise science, and it requires detailed knowledge of facial anatomy and best practices for secure implant placement.
With proper placement, your facial implant will heal and fuse into the surrounding bone, developing a secure place that resists movement even with severe provocation (such as a fall or sports injury). This means any risks of future shifting or movement become minimal.
Will Facial Implants Be Obvious After the Procedure?
The goal of a facial implant procedure is to achieve the most natural, aesthetically pleasing result. To this end, every effort is made to place incisions in areas where they will be camouflaged from sight, such as inside your hairline, inside the mouth or cheeks, under the chin or under the lip.
While the incision points may be visible for a short period of time while your body is healing, when your healing process is complete there will be no visible reminders that you ever had a facial implants procedure done!
Here, taking the recommended time to fully heal prior to resuming your regular daily activities, including sports and workouts, will deliver the very best results.
What Is a Facial Implants Procedure Like?
In the majority of cases, a facial implants procedure can be completed in one hour or less time. Anesthesia will be provided for your comfort, and depending on your individual procedure you may have options including local, I.V. or general anesthesia.
You can choose whether to have your procedure in a hospital setting or at an outpatient surgical center. Dr. Weber may have specific recommendations based on the scope of your procedure and your health history.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Facial Implants?
Most patients who are healthy in all other ways are good candidates for facial implants. However, one caveat is that facial implants are best placed after you have met your weight management goals.
The first step to scheduling a facial implants procedure is to schedule your individual consultation with Dr. Weber. During your consultation, Dr. Weber will do an exam of the proposed procedure areas and take your full individual and family health history.
From here, you can learn more about the facial implants procedure, ask questions, discuss any concerns you may have, learn about risks and possible side effects and determine the best time to schedule your personal facial implants procedure.
About Weber Facial Plastic Surgery
Dr. Stephen Weber, MD, FACS, is the founder and medical director for Weber Facial Plastic Surgery. He is double board certified in facial plastic surgery and a Diplomate of the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, the American Board of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery and the American College of Surgeons.
In his practice, Dr. Weber and his team focus on providing whole-patient care to ensure lasting treatment results. Treatment services include non-invasive and surgical cutting-edge procedures to produce the greatest results with the least down time. Patients travel from around the country to benefit from Dr. Weber’s education and expertise.
Tammie~