If you have a long or protruding chin (resembling a witch’s profile), it can be easily corrected through jawline and facial surgery. The surgeon makes a small incision in the bone, removes excess tissue, repositions it, and secures it with titanium plates to accelerate healing.
More than 70% of such surgeries worldwide are performed in South Korea, making it the ideal place for chin reduction.
This surgery is often combined with other types of jaw and facial plastic surgeries, such as cheek reduction or square jaw reduction.
You can watch our videos about chin reduction YouTube.
Brief surgery information
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Duration of Surgery: 1.5-2 hours
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Type of Anesthesia: General anesthesia
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Hospitalization: 24 hours
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Return to Normal Life: Within 2 weeks
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Clinic Visits: 3-4 times
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Stitches Removal: Day 14
Why patients consider chin reduction surgery
Patients may consider chin reduction surgery for several reasons:
Aesthetic Considerations: One of the primary reasons is the desire to improve one’s appearance. An excessively large or protruding chin can disrupt facial harmony, and its reduction can lead to more balanced and proportional facial features.
Enhanced Self-esteem and Confidence: Some individuals may feel less confident due to the size or shape of their chin. Reducing the chin can help boost self-esteem and improve overall self-perception.
Social and Professional Reasons: In some cases, appearance plays a significant role in social or professional situations. People whose work demands a specific image or appearance may opt for surgery to enhance their career prospects or public perception.
Correction of Congenital or Acquired Deformities: Some patients may have a congenital or acquired condition affecting the chin’s shape or size. In these cases, surgery can not only improve appearance but also address functional issues.
Who is a suitable candidate for the surgery?
Chin reduction surgery is suitable for candidates who meet the following criteria:
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Good Physical Health: Ideal candidates should be in good physical health without chronic illnesses that could increase the risk of complications during or after surgery.
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Realistic Expectations: It is essential to understand that chin surgery can significantly improve appearance but has its limitations. Candidates should have realistic expectations regarding the procedure’s outcomes.
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Normal Weight: Excess weight can conceal the results of the surgery. People with normal weight usually experience more noticeable and satisfying changes.
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Skeletal Maturity: The surgery is recommended for individuals whose skeletal structure is fully developed. Typically, this means patients should be older, usually around 18-20 years old.
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Absence of Psychological Disorders: Candidates should not suffer from psychological disorders that could affect their ability to make informed decisions or have unrealistic expectations about the surgery.
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Absence of Harmful Habits: Quitting smoking and moderate alcohol consumption are considered essential to reduce the risk of complications and accelerate the healing process.
Why South Korea?
South Korea annually performs more cosmetic procedures and surgeries than any other country in the world. Local doctors are considered the most educated and competitive globally because only 0.01% of medical school graduates can become plastic surgeons here. Korea’s medical equipment and technology are on par with the USA and Germany, placing it in the top 3 countries with the best-equipped clinics.
All maxillofacial surgeries are conducted in accredited clinics with permission to treat foreign patients and with in-house anesthesiologists. All surgeons operating on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience, specializing in maxillofacial surgeries, and perform no more than 2 surgeries per day. Please fill out the questionnaire so we can calculate the cost of your treatment, conduct a preliminary consultation, and prepare a plan for your trip to South Korea for the surgery.
How to prepare for maxillofacial surgery in South Korea
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Refrain from eating and drinking for 10 hours before the procedure. Take a shower.
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Avoid taking Aspirin, Ibuprofen (including medications like Advil or Motrin), and other drugs that may increase the risk of excessive bleeding for 2 weeks before the surgery. Tylenol is prohibited only within 3 days before the operation.
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Do not smoke, including hookah and electronic cigarettes. Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can slow down tissue healing. If you smoke, the doctor may recommend quitting before the surgery. Some doctors refuse to perform surgery on smoking patients due to a higher risk of complications. It’s unsafe to be around smoking relatives and friends or in public places designated for smoking.
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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 withhold this information from the surgeon and coordinators.
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Visit the surgeon for an examination and show them photos of your desired results.
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If you have had tests done less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. Otherwise, we will conduct all the necessary tests in Korea.
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Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or help you after the surgery if you plan to come by car.
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Place items near your bed that may be needed during your recovery, such as hygiene products, water, a chocolate bar, or your mobile phone.
The process of chin reduction surgery
Before the surgery, you will have a minimum of 2 consultations with the surgeon and undergo tests to qualify for the procedure. In the morning of the surgery day, the surgeon marks your face, answers questions, and hands you over to the medical coordinator. You will be taken to the restroom, asked about your well-being, and the time of your last food and water intake will be checked.
Next, you will be escorted to the operating room, where they help you lie on the operating table, secure your arms and legs to ensure your safety and prevent involuntary movements during the surgeon’s work, and insert a catheter into your hand to administer medications and anesthesia.
Once the anesthesiologist puts you to sleep, the surgeon makes a small incision inside your mouth and, using T-shaped osteotomy, reduces the size of your chin. To expedite healing according to the plan, small titanium screws are inserted, which can be removed if desired, 1-2 years after the surgery.
After completing the surgery and stitching up your face, a special bandage is applied to protect the surgical area, hold the tissues together, and reduce swelling. The patient wakes up and is escorted to a room for further recovery.
What to expect after surgery and recovery process
After the surgery is completed, a translator or medical staff will wake you up and assist you in moving 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 experience chills, but this will quickly pass. A warming mattress is provided on your bed to make this period more comfortable. Some level of discomfort may be present due to the effects of pain relief injections and medications used during the surgery. Typically, pain is most intense at the moment of awakening, but the medication will start to take effect. You can also request pain relief injections 1-2 hours after waking up.
In addition to discomfort, you may notice swelling in your face, not only in the chin area but also in the lips and nose. This is normal as your body begins the healing process. You may also feel discomfort from the compression bandage; many patients complain that it presses on the neck under the chin. You can slightly adjust the bandage or ask for a cotton pad to be placed underneath, but do not remove it. It should stay on for 2 weeks, so patience is necessary.
A cold compress will be provided within a few minutes after awakening. You can apply it not only to the chin area but also to other parts of your face. The more you use the compress during the first week after surgery, the faster the swelling will subside.
You will remain in the clinic for about 24 hours after the surgery. A catheter will be in your arm to administer medications. The next day, a coordinator and medical staff will check your condition. If you do not experience symptoms like dizziness and nausea, you can start preparing for discharge, including changing clothes, picking up medications, and receiving post-operative instructions.
By evening, the pain may intensify, so be sure to place several pillows under your head to reduce swelling and take the prescribed pain relief medication, which contains pain relievers. You may experience mild headaches, which are a normal symptom. Over the next three days, swelling will increase, and your lips and nose may become swollen. Do not be alarmed and continue to apply the cold compress and follow the rehabilitation rules. Remember that you are prohibited from consuming solid food for 4 weeks, so prepare porridge, soups, juices, smoothies, and chocolate in advance to get through this period.
On the fourth day, swelling will gradually start to decrease. Remember to rinse your mouth every 2-3 hours and after each meal to prevent infection. By the end of the week, you will look much better. Try to take walks and continue sleeping in an elevated position as much as possible.
At the 14-day mark, the surgeon will remove the stitches. This may be slightly uncomfortable since the skin in the mouth is delicate, but the process will be quick, and you will enjoy the results for a lifetime.
Book a consultation with the clinic coordinator or plastic surgeon today!
You can book a consultation by filling out the QUESTIONNAIRE or contacting us via any messenger at +82-10-4214-9603.
Recovery process
Immediately after the procedure: You will have a compression bandage on your face, and moderate pain may be present. You will spend the first night in the clinic under medical supervision. Your face will start to swell, and you may feel pressure under the bandage; unfortunately, you will have to endure this discomfort for several days.
Days 1-2: Hospitalization ends approximately 24 hours after the surgery, and if you feel well, you will be discharged home. Swelling peaks, affecting your entire face, and your lips may temporarily feel numb or less mobile – do not be alarmed, these are common symptoms.
Days 3-7: Swelling gradually begins to subside. Avoid sports and activities that require bending your head down. Continue sleeping with your head elevated.
Days 7-14: Reduction in swelling, disappearance of discomfort, and a gradual return to normal life. Regular long walks are recommended for faster recovery. Stitches and bandages are removed. Do not smoke for 15 days after the surgery; if an infection occurs, a repeat operation may be required. Vaping, hookah, and other forms of smoking are also strictly prohibited. If you can’t resist and additional swelling occurs, contact the coordinator immediately and do not hide the cause of infection.
Days 14-21: Avoid intense workouts and physical exercises. Continue consuming liquid food and regularly clean your teeth and rinse your mouth. The risk of infection in the oral cavity is much lower at this stage, but continue to follow the rehabilitation rules, do not smoke, and do not consume alcohol.
Days 21-30: Your face may still swell periodically, depending on which side you slept on; the swelling may shift to the left or right side, and it varies each day. Do not be alarmed; this is normal. Even with the slowest recovery, patients return to work at this stage, and it is not noticeable from the outside that they have had surgery. However, the face continues to be swollen, especially in the mornings. Be patient and wait for the results.
Days 31-60: Swelling is almost completely gone, and you will forget that you had surgery. You can start chewing firmer food gradually, starting slowly and increasing the amount and load. You can also gradually resume sports activities.
Days 60-90: You can swim in the sea, sunbathe, do regular exercises, and lead a normal life. During this period, your face may still swell in the mornings, especially after consuming alcohol. Do not worry; the final swelling will subside after one year of surgery.
1 year after the surgery: Complete rehabilitation.