Chin Surgery in Medellín

The size of your chin affects how your nose looks. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), chin size can make the nose look bigger or smaller. That's why a surgeon may suggest chin surgery to someone who is getting rhinoplasty, and the two are often done together: the plan looks at your whole profile, not one feature on its own. Whether it makes sense to do both in the same surgery, or just one, is decided by your surgeon at your in-person consultation, based on your profile and your health.

There are two approaches. One is a shaped implant placed directly on the chin bone to give it more projection. The other works with the bone itself: moving it forward when the chin lacks projection, or removing part of it when the chin sticks out too much. Which one makes sense depends on your anatomy and on how much change your profile needs. It isn't picked from a catalog: your surgeon decides when they examine you at your consultation.

Chin surgery isn't always the answer.

• If you want a change without surgery, in some cases the chin can be improved with hyaluronic acid filler. It's a filler your body absorbs over time, so the effect is temporary: it lasts 6 to 18 months, depending on the area.
• If what stands out most is fat under the chin, we look at chin liposuction, on its own or together with chin surgery.
• If what bothers you is your nose, we look at rhinoplasty, and at your consultation we check whether your chin also plays a part in your profile.

At your consultation, we'll tell you what makes sense for you.

Every surgery has risks, and this one does too. The ASPS lists, among others:

• Anesthesia risks.
• Infection, bleeding or a hematoma.
• Asymmetry.
• If an implant is used: that it shifts out of place, or that thick scar tissue forms around it (capsular contracture).
• Numbness or other changes in skin sensation.
• Prolonged swelling or unfavorable scarring.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• The possibility of needing revision surgery.

Before you decide, we go over each one with you, and you sign an informed consent form.

According to the ASPS, you may be a good candidate if you're in good health, have a stable weight and realistic expectations, and don't smoke. Before surgery, in general:

• You complete your pre-surgery tests. If your tests aren't in order, the surgery is postponed.
• You stop smoking.
• You review the medications you take with your specialist: the ASPS warns that aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs and herbal supplements can increase bleeding. We'll tell you what to stop taking, how long to fast and what to bring.
• You have an adult who can take you home and stay with you the first night.

During the first week, you'll have swelling and wear a support bandage. According to the ASPS, it helps reduce swelling and supports the chin while it heals. If the incision is made inside the mouth, the ASPS explains that you may be asked to follow a liquid diet or use special mouth rinses. You go home with clear instructions: how to care for the incision, which medications to take, which warning signs to watch for and when your follow-up visit is. You can usually get back to your routine in the second week, and we stay with you through follow-up visits until you're discharged.