→ Facial Contouring Surgery

l  Cheekbone Reduction

ZYGOMATIC (CHEEKBONE) OPERATION

Cheekbones play an important role when it comes to determining the people’s first impression. A person with protruding cheekcbones generally gives off aggressive and tenacious first impression.

Together with the jaw line, the shape of the cheekbones decides the overall size and shape of the face. Therefore it is important to keep the shape of the jaw line into consideration when reducing the chin for a harmonious and balanced face.  

Cheekbone reduction is not as simple as just shaving down the protruding bones.

The operation requires incisioning of the skin and shaving or cutting of the cheekbones. The cheekbones are then pushed in and during this process it is important to avoid damaging the surrounding nerves. The surgery is quiet complicated, therefore it is critical to consult with a well experienced professional before deciding on the surgery.

Surgery Method

Zygomatic protrusion can be divided into 3 major parts: frontal protrusion, lateral extrusion and hybrid. Each case may have a slight difference in terms of its operational method.

The basic method is comparable when it comes to applying osteotomy method, in which the cheekbones are cut and aligned to correct the overall shape. Both temple areas are cut about 0.5cm deep, and both cheekbones are broken using osteotomy method.  

Then the molar area of the mucous membrane of the upper teeth is incisioned about 2 cm and reduction is made. The extra remaining bones are sawed down and the cheekbones are trimmed down to soften and balance both sides of the cheekbones.

The cheekbones are then pushed inward and the incisioned area is sutured. 

People often think that there will be a severe pain after the surgery, but because there are no sensory nerves around the bones there is hardly any pain after the operation. 

Advantage

There will hardly be any visible scars because the incision is made inside the mouth or around the temple. The amount of bone reduction can be controlled as desired.

Disadvantages

There may be severe swelling for 4-5 days after the surgery. But even after 4~5 days the swelling will remain for 1-2 months and slowly diminish over time.

Aftercare

Sometimes the facial sensory nerves and motor nerves become numb and insensible, but the sense will return after 1~2 weeks. Also, this is a period when the swelling is worse so it is important to make sure that you do not lay or put any force to your head. Resting with high pillow and constant ice pack massage on both cheeks will help fasten the recovery time. You may feel that both cheekbones are uneven in size, but before making any solid decision, you should at least wait for 1~2 months until the swelling is completely gone.

Furthermore, because the surgical incision is made inside the mouth, frequent oral care for cleanliness and consuming formula as a replacement of meals is necessary.

Make-up application and facial cleansing are allowed on the 5th day when the stitching is removed, and around this time the swelling will be somewhat lessened that you can return to your daily routine.

l  Long Chin Reduction

If the chin exceeds 1:3 of the face when dividing the face into three equal sections, it is considered as a long chin compared to average people. 

People with long spatula-shaped chin are often mistakenly portrayed as unfriendly and intimidating. 

Furthermore, besides the physical inconvenience, the protruding bottom teeth may be a handicap when speaking and chewing.

The operation takes about 1hr and a half and you can go back to your daily routine after 7 days. However, it takes about 4 weeks for the reconstructed bones to settle down, therefore, precaution is necessary. Also, since the operation has been performed through mouth, oral cleanliness is important during the healing period,  

Surgery Method

The inner skin of the front jaw is incisioned and certain measurement of protruding jaw bone is removed and reduced. The jaw bone is shaved down for a smoother line and the incisioned area is sutured. The maximum reduction of the jaw bone without affecting roots of the teeth and nerves is exactly half the thickness of the jaw.  

◎ In the case where the bottom jaw is long and protruding

⇒ The bottom protruding jaw could be shaved down or the jaw bone could be cut and pushed inward.

◎ In the case where the bottom teeth are protruding that the upper and lower teeth do not meet when locked together.

⇒ The corner jaw bone beneath the ears is cut and the whole bottom jaw is pushed inward. Then the jaw is relocated and fixated after matching the upper and lower teeth. In severe cases like this, corrective dental treatment is necessary.

◎ In the case that the bottom jaw is extremely large in size overall.

- The front and side of the bottom jaw needs to be cut down.

◎ In the case that the bottom jaw is extremely long in length and pointing downward.

⇒ The jaw bone is cut horizontally and lifted up to create a normal looking jaw line.

Advantage

Correction is made through repositioning the lower jaw (moved horizontally or vertically) to create a beautiful jaw line.

Disadvantage

If the teeth are abnormally interlocked, orthodontic treatment is required for 6months to 1 year; therefore, leniency in time is necessary.

Aftercare

It is helpful to keep your upper body straight and massage with ice pack for 2 days in order to lessen the swelling. Additionally it is helpful to massage the operated area with warm towel for a week after the surgery when the swelling slowly goes down. The remaining swollen area will diminish gradually after 1~2 months.

It is required that you consume meals in liquid form for a week after the surgery.

Tape is fastened for approximately 7 days around the wounds in order to prevent severe swelling. During this time, frequent gargling is a must for hygienic reason and in order to suppress any pains you must take the medicine prescribed by the hospital.    

There is a numbing sensation for about 1~2 months after the surgery, however, the sensation will return as the operated area recovers. 

l  Short Chin Correction

One may look childlike and weak if the chin is shorter in length in comparison to the average chins. If the chin is extremely short to the point that one looks chinless, they may even look abnormal and inadequate. In the case of chinless jaw, it is crucial to find out exactly what has caused such medical condition before undergoing the operation.  If an array of teeth is abnormal, it is recommended that you first visit the orthodontist. Short chin usually requires an insertion of silicone or cutting of the lower jaw and pulling it outward to extend the length of the chin.

Surgery Method

If the arrangement of teeth is normal but the chin is short, it is required to check the chins condition and shape through x-ray. X-ray is taken from the front, bottom and sides for a careful examination. If the surgery only requires inserting a silicone, localized anesthetic needle is injected into the interior of the mouth where the incision will take place. However, if the surgery requires cutting the lower jaw and pulling it outward, bodily anesthesia is required. The silicone is then designed and customized once the size of supplied jaw is decided. Thereafter, the inner mouth is incisioned and the silicone is placed and firmly fixated. The operated wound is then sutured and tape is fastened around the face as a support during the recovery period.      

Advantage

As relatively a simple surgery, the length and prominence of the jaw can be adjusted easily.

Disadvantage

In rare cases, there may be a side effect from the silicone depending on the patient’s bodily constitution, as a result requiring removal of the silicone. There may also be some cases where the swelling does not go down or the operated area becomes irritated and red without any reasons.

Aftercare

A minimal surgery like insertion of silicone does not require hospitalization after the surgery but you must wear a securing tape for 2~3 days.

The sutured surgical thread is removed on the 7th day and make-up and facial cleansing is permitted thereafter. The swelling will go down in about 2 weeks and in the case where the jaw bone is broken to relocate, it requires 4 week recovery time. During the recovery period, you must avoid chewing any hard food. Furthermore, if the nerve of the bottom lips has been affected during the operation there may be a numbing sensation, but this will recover as well given a generous recovery time.

l  Double Chin Correction

The result of double chin is skewed towards genetics, however despite your age or bodily state, whether you are young or old; thin or chubby, you could have double chin. Post cause of double chin is due to the gravity that pulls the neck as the fat under the chin accumulates with age.  

People with double chin may look much older than their actual age. For young women, double chin may make them look chubbier than they really are and be a factor in diminishing of the beautiful v-line. The cause of double chin is excessive accumulation of fat under the neck; therefore, it could be removed and corrected through liposuction or fat resection.

Because the surgery does not affect the bone, there is hardly any pain or hardships during recovery after the surgery.

Surgical Method

When corrected through liposuction, a small incision of 0.5cm is made under the chin and behind the ears.

After liposuction, a tightening tape is fastened around the face including the incisioned area to pressure down the swelling and prevent from bleeding and blood clotting.  

Patients at the age of 20s~30s have flexible skin that removing double chin only through liposuction is feasible. However, patients passed the age of 30s lack flexibility that loose skin on the neck needs to be tightened through removal of unnecessary skin. 

Advantage

At a young age, correction can be made through a simple liposuction. At the age of 50s~60s, fat can be removed through liposuction and wrinkles on the neck can be tightened at the same time through incision.

Disadvantage

Liposuction requires skin incisioning, therefore, a 0.5cm of incisioned scar may remain depending on the patient. Fat resectioning requires 5~6cm of incisioning under the chin, therefore may leave a longer incisioned mark. Once again the scar varies depending on the patient’s condition.  If the patient does not suffer from keloid, the scar is hardly noticeable.

Aftercare

First and foremost, people who have the tendency to easily leave severe scar marks should have careful consideration about the surgery.

For at least 10 days after the incisional surgery you should avoid intensifying workouts and pulling back your neck because they will refrain the scar from recovering.

Both liposuction and skin excision comprise tiny incisions, therefore, there is not much pain after the surgery.

The sutured surgical thread is removed on the 5th day after the surgery, and on this 5th day the swelling goes down along with allowance of facial cleansing, make-up and facial massage.

Chewing is possible right after the surgery.