The procedure of nose-mouth implant installation is a cosmetic procedure aimed at correcting and enhancing the appearance of the nose-mouth area. During the procedure, a surgeon inserts implants under the skin in the area of the nasolabial folds to reduce wrinkles and add volume. This helps give the face a more youthful and refreshed look.
Implants are typically made from synthetic materials such as silicone or biocompatible materials that interact well with human tissues. Before the surgery, the patient undergoes a thorough medical examination to ensure there are no contraindications to the procedure.
Implant installation is usually performed under sedation and takes one to two hours. After the surgery, there may be swelling and temporary changes in skin sensitivity, which typically subside within a few days. Full recovery and the final result usually occur within a few months.
Often, the procedure is combined with others, such as SMAS facelift, hyaloplasty, or blepharoplasty.
Brief surgery information
-
Duration of the operation: 1-2 hours
-
Type of anesthesia: sedation
-
Hospitalization: 2-3 hours
-
Return to normal life: within 4-5 days
-
Clinic visits: 2-3 times
-
Stitch removal: day 14
Why patients consider nose-mouth implant installation?
Patients may consider nose-mouth implants for several reasons, often related to aesthetic and psychological factors:
-
Skin Aging: As the skin ages, it loses its elasticity and volume, resulting in more noticeable nasolabial folds. Implants help restore volume in this area, making the face look younger and fresher.
-
Improved Self-Esteem: Deep nasolabial folds can make a person feel older than their age, negatively impacting self-esteem. Enhancing one’s appearance through implant installation can boost confidence and overall satisfaction with their appearance.
-
Dissatisfaction with Past Procedures: Some patients may view implants as an alternative to temporary solutions, such as filler injections, which require regular updates.
-
Cosmetic Reasons: The desire to change specific facial features, such as smoothing deep wrinkles or altering facial contours to achieve the desired aesthetic effect.
-
Recovery from Trauma or Surgery: In some cases, implants may be used to correct deformities or facial asymmetry caused by trauma or previous surgical interventions.
-
Professional Reasons: Individuals whose professions require a specific appearance, such as actors or models, may consider implant installation as a way to maintain or enhance their careers.
Who is a suitable candidate for surgery?
The ideal candidate for nasolabial implant surgery typically possesses the following characteristics:
-
Age: Middle-aged and older patients who have signs of aging in the nasolabial area, such as deepening folds and volume loss.
-
Skin Condition: Good skin elasticity and the absence of serious skin conditions that could affect the healing process.
-
Overall Health: Absence of serious illnesses or conditions that may increase the risk of complications during or after surgery, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or blood clotting disorders.
-
Realistic Expectations: It’s essential to have realistic expectations regarding the surgery’s outcomes. Patients should understand that implants can enhance their appearance but won’t provide a “perfect” face.
-
No Allergies: No allergies to implant materials or anesthesia.
-
Psychological State: Psychological readiness for a change in appearance and an understanding that surgery is a significant surgical intervention.
-
Non-Smoking: Non-smoking patients typically have a lower risk of complications and a faster healing process.
-
Motivation: The desire to improve one’s appearance due to deep nasolabial folds, rather than external pressure or fashion trends.
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, as only 0.01% of medical school graduates can become plastic surgeons here. Korea’s medical equipment and facilities are on par with those in the USA and Germany, placing it in the top three countries with the best technical equipment in clinics.
All maxillofacial surgeries are carried out in accredited clinics with permission to treat foreign patients and resident anesthesiologists. All surgeons performing procedures on our patients have 15 to 30 years of experience, specialize in maxillofacial surgeries, and perform no more than 2 surgeries per day. Fill out the QUESTIONNAIRE so that we can calculate the cost of treatment for you, provide a preliminary consultation, and prepare a plan for your trip to South Korea for the surgery.
How to prepare for nasolabial fold correction in South Korea
-
Fasting: Refrain from eating and drinking for 8 hours before the procedure. Take a shower.
-
Avoid Medications: Avoid taking aspirin, ibuprofen (including medications like Advil or Motrin), and other drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding for 2 weeks before the surgery. Tylenol is prohibited only for 3 days before the operation.
-
No Smoking: 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 surgeons refuse to perform surgery on smoking patients due to the high risk of complications. Avoid being near smoking relatives and friends or in public smoking areas.
-
Medical History Review: Review your medical history. Be prepared to answer questions about current and past illnesses, as well as any recent surgeries. Mention any medications you have been taking or have taken recently. Please do not hide this information from the surgeon and coordinators.
-
Consultation with Surgeon: Visit a surgeon for an examination and show them photos of the desired outcome.
-
Medical Tests: If you had tests less than a month ago, you can bring them with you. Otherwise, all necessary tests will be conducted in Korea
-
Transportation: Ask someone to drive you to the clinic or help you after the surgery if you plan to come by car.
-
Prepare Essentials: Place items near your bed that you may need during your recovery, such as hygiene products, water, a chocolate bar, or your mobile phone.
What to expect before and after surgery
Before the surgery, you will undergo a minimum of 2 consultations with the surgeon and provide the necessary tests to gain access to the procedure. On the morning of the surgery, the surgeon will apply a design to your face, answer any questions you may have, and hand you over to the medical coordinator for preparation. You will be taken to the restroom, where you will be asked about your well-being, the time of your last water and food intake will be checked.
Then, you will be escorted to the operating room, where you will be assisted in lying on the operating table, and your hands and feet 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 into your bloodstream.
Once the anesthesiologist puts you to sleep, the surgeon begins the operation: several incisions are made inside the mouth, through which implants are inserted and securely attached, adjusting their size and shape if necessary. Stitches are applied. The patient wakes up and is escorted to a recovery room.
What to expect after the surgery
After the surgery is completed, a translator or medical nurses will wake you up and assist you in moving to your room. Most patients do not remember this moment, and it feels like they woke up in a warm bed – this is the effect of anesthesia.
In the first 10-20 minutes after awakening, you may experience chills; there is a warming mattress on your bed to make this period more comfortable. Some degree of pain may be present, although it is dulled by pain-relieving injections and medications used during the surgery. In addition to discomfort, you will notice that your face starts to swell – this is normal, as the body begins the healing process. You will stay in the clinic for several hours after the surgery, with a catheter in your arm to administer medications.
Towards the evening, the coordinator and medical nurses will check your condition. If you do not experience symptoms such as dizziness and nausea, you can start preparing for discharge: change clothes, collect your medications, and follow post-operative recommendations.
After discharge, any pain you experience may slightly increase. Be sure to use several pillows under your head to reduce swelling and take the prescribed pain-relief medication. You may experience mild headaches, eye or nose swelling; these are normal symptoms, so do not be alarmed and continue following the rules of rehabilitation. By the end of the week, you will look much better, so try to walk as much as possible and continue sleeping with your head elevated.
After 14 days, the surgeon will remove the stitches; by this time, most of the swelling will have subsided, and you will look normal and can return to your regular life.
Recovery process and post-operative procedures:
Immediate Post-Procedure: Right after the procedure, you may experience moderate pain. You will spend several hours under medical supervision at the clinic. Your face will start to swell, and you may feel pressure under the skin. Unfortunately, you will have to tolerate this discomfort for several days.
Days 1-2: Swelling reaches its peak, spreading throughout your face. This is normal, so continue following the rehabilitation rules.
Days 3-7: Swelling gradually starts to decrease. The surgeon checks tissue healing, and medical nurses treat the stitches. Avoid sports and any activities that require you to bend your head down. Keep sleeping with your head elevated.
Days 7-14: Reduction in swelling, disappearance of discomfort, gradual return to normal life. Regular, prolonged walks are recommended for faster recovery. Absolutely refrain from smoking for 25-30 days after the operation; introducing infection will require a repeat operation. Vaping, hookah, and other forms of smoking are also strictly prohibited. If, for some reason, you couldn’t resist and additional swelling occurs, contact the coordinator immediately and do not hide the reason for infection.
Days 14-21: Stitch removal. Continue to avoid intensive workouts and physical exercises. Follow rehabilitation rules, do not smoke, and do not consume alcohol. Swelling and bruising subside to the point where the operation is not noticeable to others.
Days 21-30: Your face may still swell occasionally, depending on which side you slept on; swelling may shift to the left or right, and it may vary each day. Be patient and wait for results.
Days 31-60: Swelling is nearly gone, and you forget you had the surgery. You can start exercising, laughing, and using facial expressions.
Days 60-90: You can swim in the sea, sunbathe, and resume your normal activities. Your face may still swell in the mornings, especially after alcohol consumption; do not worry, the final swelling will subside after a year of the operation.
1 Year After the Surgery: Complete the rehabilitation process.