Chin & Jaw Contouring
Genioplasty (chin surgery) and mandibular (jaw) contouring can be powerful tools to feminize the face, bring balance to a facial profile, or correct asymmetries in the face. It can make a big difference in patients who can benefit from the operation. Here is what to expect before and after this procedure with Dr. James Lee.
Before Surgery
You do not need to do much special preparation for chin & jaw contouring. However, before surgery you should:
- Do any orthodontics (braces) or orthognathic (jaw alignment) surgery prior to chin & jaw contouring
- Remove any and all piercings
- Stop electrolysis 2 weeks before surgery
- Stop topical retinoids 2 weeks before surgery (6 months for oral retinoids like Accutane)
- Stop nicotine and marijuana products 3 months before surgery
- Eat a well-rounded diet including vitamins and protein
After Surgery
Expect that there will be significant bruising and swelling after surgery. Recovery will look something like this:
- Week 1 after surgery: You will be swollen and uncomfortable. The jaw bra may feel tight around the chin, making it a little harder to eat. Your throat may be hoarse due to the breathing tube from anesthesia. There will be sutures in your mouth that you may feel. Parts of your chin and lower lip may be numb.
- Week 1 you should: take tylenol and ibuprofen alternating every 3 hours and take breakthrough narcotic pain medication if those medications are not enough. Take a stool softener to help with constipation if you take the narcotic pain medication. Keep your head elevated as much as possible, even when you are sleeping (this will help with the swelling). Walk around normally to prevent blood clots but avoid strenuous activity that elevates your heart rate or blood pressure. Eat a soft diet and avoid any sharp foods in the mouth. Wear the jaw bra at all times (except when showering) to help with swelling.
- Week 2 after surgery: The swelling starts to improve little by little every day. Pain should be much improved and most patients stop taking narcotic pain medication in the first week. Sensation may start to return on parts of the chin and lip.
- Week 2 you should: Take tylenol or ibuprofen for pain control as needed. Continue wearing the jaw bra at all times except when showering up to 1 month after surgery. Continue keeping the head elevated at all times to help with swelling. You may start eating a regular diet starting 2 weeks after surgery. The sutures in your mouth will start breaking up and falling out around this time.
- Months 1-3 after surgery: Most of the swelling is improved but may be worse in the morning if you are sleeping without elevating your head. It will still feel hard under your chin and you will not see the full final chin and jaw contour for 12 months after surgery. The area of numbness in the lower lip and chin area will start to decrease in size.
- Months 1-3 you should: Wear the jaw bra as tolerated when you are at home or sleeping. The more you wear the jaw bra, the faster the soft tissue recontours to the new chin shape. Starting 1 month after surgery you may exercise normally but avoid putting your head down on gravity and avoid trauma to the face.
- Months 3-12 after surgery: Sensation will slowly return to the lip and chin over time. The chin and jaw area will soften and show more definition over 12 months.
- Months 3-12 you should: You may exercise and do all your normal activity starting 3 months after surgery. Continue to avoid trauma to the face.
Why Choose Dr. James Lee for Chin & Jaw Contouring?
In the right patient, chin and jaw contouring can make an incredible difference in a patient’s facial balance. Choosing the right surgeon ensures the perfect shape without overdoing the operation and leaving a contour deformity. This requires advanced knowledge to preserve anatomical structures, an analytical eye, and understanding how soft tissue and bone reacts to subtle changes in structure.
Contact our office today to begin your journey.