Chin augmentation is an effective surgical procedure designed to improve the contour of an underdeveloped chin. The surgery can be performed in two ways:
Bone grafting: In this method, the shape of the chin is corrected by transplanting bone tissue. This procedure is ideal for individuals with a square jaw, as it allows for angle adjustments and provides donor material for tip augmentation.
Implant placement: Correction is achieved by placing an implant directly on the chin bone. Implants come in various shapes and sizes, and the surgeon customizes the implant to achieve the desired proportions.
In 90% of cases, both the surgeon and the patient opt for the second method as it is cost-effective, has a quicker recovery, and is better tolerated by the patient. In this article, we will primarily focus on this method.
Short surgery information
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Surgery Time: 1-1.5 hours
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Type of Anesthesia: Sedation
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Hospitalization: 2-4 hours
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Return to Normal Life: Within 1 week
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Clinic Visits: 3-4 times
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Stitches Removal: Day 14
Why patients consider chin augmentation surgery
Patients may consider chin augmentation surgery for various reasons:
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Improving Facial Proportions: Some individuals naturally have an underdeveloped or small chin, which disrupts the harmonious balance of facial features. Chin augmentation can help achieve more balanced and proportional facial contours.
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Boosting Self-Esteem and Confidence: A small chin can lead to insecurities and dissatisfaction with one’s appearance. Surgical correction of the chin’s shape can significantly enhance self-perception and self-confidence.
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Aesthetic Alignment with Gender Standards: In certain cultures and societies, beauty standards associate a well-defined chin with masculinity for men. Chin augmentation helps align with these ideals.
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Correction of Trauma or Birth Defects: Patients who have experienced facial injuries or have congenital abnormalities may have an underdeveloped chin. Surgical intervention can restore or improve its shape.
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Enhancing Facial Profile and Overall Appearance: For some individuals, improving the profile of the face is crucial for their overall appearance. Chin augmentation can create a more pronounced and defined facial contour, especially in profile.
Candidates for surgery:
Chin augmentation surgery is suitable for candidates who meet the following criteria:
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Good Physical Health: Candidates should be in overall good health without serious medical conditions that could increase the risk of complications during or after surgery.
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Realistic Expectations: It’s essential for patients to have realistic expectations regarding the outcomes of the surgery. A suitable candidate understands that surgery can enhance their appearance but will not drastically change their life.
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Psychological Readiness: Candidates should be psychologically stable and prepared for changes in their appearance and the post-operative recovery period.
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Absence of Harmful Habits: Smokers or heavy alcohol consumers may face a higher risk of complications. Ideal candidates do not have such habits or are willing to quit them before surgery.
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Age Maturity: This procedure is typically more suitable for adults whose facial skeleton has fully developed, usually after the age of 20.
Why South Korea?
South Korea is renowned for its annual high number of cosmetic procedures and surgeries. Local physicians are considered among the most educated and competitive worldwide, with only 0.01% of medical school graduates becoming plastic surgeons. South Korea’s medical equipment and technology are on par with the United States and Germany, placing it among the top three countries with the best-equipped clinics.
All procedures related to jaw and facial surgery are conducted in accredited clinics that have permission to work with foreign patients and employ in-house anesthesiologists. Surgeons who operate on our patients have between 15 to 30 years of experience, specialize in jaw and facial surgery, and perform a maximum of two surgeries per day. Fill out the questionnaire to calculate the cost of treatment, receive a preliminary consultation, and prepare a travel plan to South Korea for the surgery.
How to prepare for jaw and facial surgery in South Korea
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Fast for 8 Hours: Refrain from eating and drinking for 8 hours before the procedure. Take a shower before arriving at the clinic.
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Avoid Certain Medications: Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen (including Advil or Motrin), and other medications that may increase the risk of excessive bleeding for two weeks before the surgery. Tylenol is prohibited only for the three days leading up to the operation.
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Quit Smoking: Do not smoke, including hookah and electronic cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow tissue healing. If you smoke, the doctor may recommend quitting before the surgery. Some surgeons may refuse to operate on smoking patients due to the high risk of complications. It is also unsafe to be around smokers, including family and friends, or in public smoking areas.
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Review Your Medical History: Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses, as well as any recent medications you have taken. Please do not hide this information from the surgeon and coordinators.
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Consultation with the Surgeon: Visit the surgeon for examinations and show them photos of your desired outcome.
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Bring Recent Test Results: If you have had tests done less than a month ago, bring them with you. Otherwise, all necessary tests will be conducted in Korea.
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Arrange Transportation: Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or assist you after the surgery if you plan to arrive by car.
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Prepare for Recovery: Place items near your bed that you may need during your rest period, such as lip balm, water, chocolate, or a mobile phone.
The surgical procedure for chin enhancement
Before the surgery, you will undergo at least two consultations with the surgeon and provide the necessary tests to qualify for the procedure. On the morning of the surgery, the surgeon will design your face, answer your questions, and hand you over to a medical coordinator. You will be taken to the restroom, asked about your well-being, and your last intake of food and water will be checked.
Next, you will be escorted to the operating room, where you will be helped onto the operating table, and your arms and legs will be secured to ensure your safety and prevent involuntary movements during the surgeon’s work. A catheter will be inserted into your arm to administer medications and anesthesia.
Once the anesthesiologist puts you to sleep, the surgeon will make a small incision in your mouth and use it to insert the implant, attaching it to the chin tissues. After completing the surgery and suturing the incision, a special bandage will be applied to protect the surgical area, hold the tissues together, and reduce swelling. You will wake up and be transferred to a recovery room for further recuperation.
What to expect after surgery
After the surgery is completed, a translator or medical nurses will wake you up and assist you in transitioning to your room. Most patients do not remember this moment, as the anesthesia makes it feel like they woke up in a warm bed.
In the first 10-20 minutes after awakening, you may feel chills, but this will quickly subside. A warm mattress pad will be placed on your bed to make this period more comfortable. Some level of pain may be present, although it is dulled by pain relieving injections and medications used during the surgery. Typically, the pain is strongest upon awakening, but the medications will start to take effect. You can also request a pain-relieving injection 1-2 hours after waking up.
In addition to discomfort, you may notice your face starting to swell; this is a normal part of the body’s regeneration process. You may also feel discomfort from the compression bandage; many patients complain that it presses under the chin. You can adjust the bandage slightly or ask for a cotton pad to be placed under it, but do not remove it. It will be with you for 2 weeks, so patience is needed.
A few minutes after waking up, a cold compress will be brought to you, and you can apply it to any part of your face. The more you use the compress during the first week after the surgery, the faster the swelling will subside.
You will remain in the clinic for several hours after the surgery. A catheter will be in your arm, delivering medications into your bloodstream. After the intravenous drip, the coordinator and medical nurses will assess your condition. If you do not experience symptoms like dizziness and nausea, you can prepare for discharge, change clothes, collect your medications, and receive post-operative instructions.
By evening, the pain may intensify. Place a few pillows under your head to reduce swelling and take the prescribed pain-relief medication. Apply a cold compress every few minutes. Swelling will continue to increase over the next three days; do not be alarmed, and continue to follow the rehabilitation guidelines.
On the 4th day, the swelling will gradually start to decrease. Remember to rinse your mouth every 2-3 hours and after each meal to avoid infection. By the end of the week, you will look much better. Try to walk and sleep with your head elevated as much as possible.
After 14 days, the surgeon will remove the stitches. It may be a bit uncomfortable, as the skin inside the mouth is thin and delicate, but this process will quickly end, and you will enjoy the results for a lifetime.
Book a consultation with the clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today! You can schedule a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or contacting us through any messenger at +82-10-4214-9603.
Recovery process and description of post-operative procedures
Immediately after the procedure: You will have a compression bandage on your face, and you may experience moderate pain. The face begins to swell, and you may feel pressure under the bandage. Unfortunately, you will have to endure this discomfort for several days.
Day 1-2: Swelling reaches its peak, spreading throughout the face, and it may feel huge. This is normal, so continue to follow the rehabilitation rules.
Days 3-7: Swelling gradually starts to subside. Avoid sports and any activities that require bending your head down. Continue to sleep with your head elevated faster recovery. Stitches and bandages are removed. Do not smoke for 15 days after the surgery; if you introduce an infection, a repeat operation may be necessary. Vaping, hookah, and other forms of smoking are strictly prohibited. If additional swelling occurs due to these activities, immediately contact the coordinator and do not hide the cause of infection.
Days 14-21: Continue to avoid intense workouts and physical exercises. Consume liquid food and regularly clean your teeth and rinse your mouth. The risk of mouth infection is much lower at this stage, but continue to follow the rehabilitation rules, refrain from smoking, and avoid alcohol.
Days 21-30: Occasionally, the face may swell, depending on which side you slept on, and it may shift from left to right daily. Do not be alarmed; this is normal. Even with the slowest recovery, patients return to work at this stage, and it is not noticeable that surgery was performed. However, the face may still be swollen, especially in the mornings. Be patient and wait for the results.
Days 31-60: Swelling is nearly gone, and you forget that you had surgery. You can consume solid food and start exercising.
Days 60-90: You can swim in the sea and sunbathe, resume regular exercise, and live a normal life. At this stage, the face may still swell in the mornings, especially after consuming alcohol. Do not worry; the swelling will completely subside one year after the surgery.
1 year after the surgery: Complete the rehabilitation process.
Frequently Asked Questions
On average, it takes about an hour. Quicker is not necessarily better.
With a properly conducted surgery, sensitivity will fully return within three months after the operation (usually within 1-2 weeks).
Incisions are made inside the oral cavity, and after a few months, you won't even feel them with your tongue, and there won't be any visible scars outside.
If you don't want your colleagues to know about your surgery, we recommend taking 1.5 to 2 weeks off, as the stitches are typically removed 14 days after the operation. If it's not a concern, you can return to work as early as 3-4 days after the surgery.
Most surgeons agree that patients should be at least 18 years old. In some cases, surgery may be performed slightly earlier with the consent of a guardian.
The final results can be seen a year after the surgery, but the face will already look normal within 10-15 days.
It should be at least 6 months after childbirth and the end of breastfeeding.
Not before 2 weeks. It's important to consume liquid food before that.
If the surgery is performed by a specialist in jaw and facial surgery, and if you follow all the rehabilitation rules, the likelihood of needing a repeat surgery is very low.
You need to walk more, avoid spicy and salty foods, eat pumpkin-based foods, take additional supplements to reduce swelling, and undergo laser procedures at the clinic.
Typically, an implant is recommended as it is cheaper, and the rehabilitation process is much faster and easier for the patient.
Almost none. Modern materials rarely cause side effects. These are extremely rare cases, and in 5 years of working with over 2,000 patients, we have never encountered such cases.
Yes, if you want to change the shape of your chin.
No, you can live with it for your entire life.
Yes, this option is available.
Yes, it can be combined with all surgeries except facelifts. Some surgeons do not recommend combining it with rhinoplasty.
Surgeons agree that any time of year is equally comfortable for patients. The most popular seasons for plastic surgery are spring and autumn, so we recommend booking at least 1-2 months in advance during these times.
- Your next step is a consultation with a coordinator and a plastic surgeon. To get a consultation, please fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE and attach your photos.
Before & After
Step 1: Fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE
First and foremost, you need to fill out a form. This will help us and the surgeons better understand your expectations and review your medical history. In the form, be sure to provide your personal information, details about any previous surgeries, and your current health condition. Unfortunately, patients with HIV infection are not eligible for plastic surgeries in Korea.
Step 2: Attach photos
Attaching photos of the areas of your body or face that you would like to have corrected is a crucial step. This allows us to make a preliminary cost estimate and direct you to a specialist who can address your concerns.
Step 3: Submit and wait for confirmation
After submitting the form and photos, your application will be reviewed, and we will contact you to confirm details and schedule a consultation.
Step 4: Prepare for the consultation
Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask the coordinator and surgeon during the consultation. We recommend bringing a phone with notes or a notepad to help you stay organized and obtain all the information you need. Additionally, you can always ask any questions you have in a personal chat created for discussing the details of your trip.