Other facial surgeries
Forehead and temple augmentation
Typically women have a well-rounded forehead without protrusion of the eyebrow arches and the temples are generally full rather than hollow. An augmentation in the forehead and / or temples is sometimes necessary to restore this aesthetic standard in women or in the case of facial feminisation.
An increase can be made to the forehead, the temples, or, both at the same time.
Technically, forehead and temple augmentation are done:
- by fat injection (lipofilling) where 2 mm incisions are hidden in the scalp. Generally several sessions are necessary to achieve the desired result.
- by placing silicone prosthesis at the hairline with 1 to 3 incisions of 3 cm long, by inserting a central frontal implant and / or a temporal implant in each temple. Pre-made silicone implants are available, however custom-made frontal and temporal prostheses are better suited.
The procedure is performed under a short general anaesthesia, on an outpatient basis and lasts about 1 hour.
Post operatory effects are minimal to slight pain. A numbness of the forehead skin is possible and normally disappears in 3 to 6 months.
Showers are permitted directly after the procedure however bathing the head is only advised after 2 weeks once total healing occurs.
Swelling and bruising to the forehead and eyelids disappears in 1 to 2 weeks.
As with any surgery, a number of complications can occur. But the likelihood of these complications is reduced in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon and in the presence of a competent anaesthetist.
The patient’s compliance to instructions given by the surgeon is also essential and include :
- stopping smoking 1 month before and after the procedure (reduction of all risks) ;
- not taking aspirin for 10 days before and after the procedure (reduced risk of hematoma).
Fortunately, postoperative effects are generally manageable following a forehead and temple surgery that has been carried out properly, so serious complications are rare.
Rare complications that could occur include, but are not limited to risk of hematoma, infection and delay of healing process.
In the event of a complication, appropriate measures will be taken.
In practice, the vast majority of cases take place without any problem and the patients are satisfied with the result.
Custom-made frontal implants
Mandible angle implants
Generally, people with an attractive physique have a well defined jawline line and oval of the face. The facial oval extends from the chin to the mandibular angle.
Mandibular angle implants restore a well defined jaw contour. They come in many shapes and sizes allowing various augmentations including, an increase in the length of the ramus (bone portion located between the earlobe and the corner of the mandibular angle), an increase of the width of the mandibles, an improved definition of the mandibular bodies (bone portion located between the chin and the corners of the mandibular angles) and an augmentation of several areas in the same procedure.
Mandibular angle implants are available in different materials:
- silicone implants coated with or without polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE). These are flexible and can be inserted through small incisions and are easy to remove if needed. There is a wide choice of silicone implants to adapt to all conditions.
- The porous polyethylene (MEDPOR) implants are partly integrated into the bone. Their placement is a little more restrictive than with silicone implants because they must be inserted through larger incisions. They are also screwed to the bone. Over time the bone resorption with this type of implant is very low in comparison to silicone implants where resorption is more noticeable. Their withdrawal is delicate.
Implants are introduced through a 3 to 4 centimetre intraoral incision on each side of the back molars under general anaesthesia.
Implants are placed in contact with the bone and fixed by wires or with micro-screws. The incisions are then closed with absorbable sutures.
A post surgical compression mask may be worn for 24 hours during the hospital stay.
The after effects include an edema in the face which disappears in 2 to 6 weeks.
Any pain is relieved by the appropriate analgesics. Moderate difficulty with opening the mouth and chewing can last for several weeks, so easy to eat food is recommended during this period.
As with any surgery, a number of complications can occur. But the likelihood of these complications is reduced in the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon and in the presence of a competent anaesthetist.
The patient’s compliance to instructions given by the surgeon is also essential and include :
- stopping smoking 1 month before and after the procedure (reduction of all risks) ;
- not taking aspirin for 10 days before and after the procedure (reduced risk of hematoma).
Fortunately, postoperative effects are generally manageable following a mandibular angele implants surgery that has been carried out properly, so serious complications are rare.
Rare complications that could occur include, but are not limited to risk of hematoma, infection and temporary skin sensibility.
In the event of a complication, appropriate measures will be taken.
In practice, the vast majority of cases take place without any problem and the patients are satisfied with the result.
