Mentoplasty is a term used for chin surgery which is generally a surgical procedure to give the chin a new reshape either by an implant or by the help of a reduction surgery on the facial bone. In many cases, a plastic surgeon recommends Mentoplasty to a patient who undergoes a nose surgery to achieve facial proportion. This is because the size of chin may minimize or magnify depending upon the perceived size of the nose. Mentoplasty can help in restoring a harmonious balance to the facial features of an individual by making him feel better in the way he looks.

Mentoplasty helps in reshaping the chin to improve the profile of a patient. There are many cases when mentoplasty is performed in combination with a nose surgery. In general, mentoplasty begins in putting the concerned patient under general anesthesia or intravenous anesthesia. After this step, the plastic surgeon makes a small incision either under the chin or in the mouth. If there is a need of liposuction of a double chin, the incision is generally made under the chin for easy accessibility during the entire procedure.

It may take about 30 minutes for the entire process of Mentoplasty to be completed. If the surgeon finds the patient’s chin to be very weak, he inserts a silicone implant or a gortex in front of the mandible of the patient and presses it gradually into the soft tissue of the chin to alter its contour. After this, the surgeon fixes the implant right in place with the help of a suture and places that beneath the fibrous protective layer of the jawbone. The results may be apparent immediately but they can be visible completely after 6 to 8 weeks from the day of chin surgery. In some cases, the surgeon has to remove a part of the bone of the chin to reshape it in cases when the patients chin is too strong. After the surgery is over, the surgeon closes the incision finally with sutures that are barely visible from under the chin. It is also not at all visible within the mouth. The surgeon generally applies a dressing that has to be kept for a period of 2-4 days.

After a patient undergoes Mentoplasty, he may experience a slight “tight” sensation around the region of the implant that can approximately last for one week. Post operation, the swelling of the lower chin may take nearly six weeks to reduce. Patients are generally advised to stay away from foods which require chewing and stick to soft foods and liquids for few days after operation. Although, it is suggested to resume the normal activity within ten days but a patient should keep in mind that he should stay away from vigorous activity for quite a few weeks.

One more way to improve your chin through mentoplasty is sub-mental liposuction which helps to remove the excess fatty tissue to redefine the neckline or the chin. Keep in mind that mentoplasty can be influenced by many factors like age, attitudes towards surgery and the skin type of an individual.