How soon until I can work out following Chin Surgery?

While the desire to get back to your exercise routine is understandable, it’s more important to have a successful and healthy recovery. Every patient should wait at least a week before any sort of physical exertion, however, we suggest easing into it by taking long walks. After the second week, you can begin doing light treadmill and/or stationary bike exercises, but avoid exercises that include lifting heavy weights. You can begin lifting light weights by the 3rd week. You should always consult Dr. Warren before moving ahead in your workout regimen.

Is Chin Surgery painful?

Chin Surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Warren will inject local anesthetics to provide regional and field blocks to the operative site before you wake up. Most patients do not have any pain in the recovery room. Instead, if anything, patients describe a sense of ‘pressure’. Dr. Warren uses a balanced postoperative pain medication regimen to minimize side effects (eg. nausea) and provide excellent pain relief. You can expect your chin to feel swollen and sore, but with cold compresses and rest, you will do very well after surgery.

How many appointments will I need?

Some patients can be scheduled for Chin Surgery after only one office visit. However, Dr. Warren prefers to see patients two or three times before surgery to review surgical simulations and refine the surgical plan. After surgery, Dr. Warren will see you in the office for a follow-up appointment about a week later. Out-of-town and international patients can travel home on the same day as the follow-up visit. Dr. Warren likes to see patients in periodic follow-up visits during the first year after surgery and annually thereafter. Of course, patients can have virtual follow-up visits if traveling into the office is inconvenient.

How long until I see results?

It takes about 7-10 days for the initial bruising and swelling to begin to subside. By about 2 weeks, most patients feel that the swelling has subsided enough that other people cannot tell that they have had surgery. Swelling will persist for weeks, however, so patients, their families, and close friends will continue to notice resolution of the swelling and improvement in the contour over the first 3-6 months. Patients will continue to see improvements in shape for about 1 year after surgery.

Can I combine Chin Surgery with other procedures?

Patients undergoing Chin Surgery often combined additional procedures such as facelift , browlift , necklift , gonial or midface augmentation, and fat grafting . When you come in for a consultation with Dr. Warren , he will be able to help you decide on the best combination of procedures.

What are the risks associated with Chin Implants?

Dr. Warren uses his experience and knowledge to avoid untoward outcomes, however, there are still risks associated with Chin Surgery. These risks include, but are not limited to: Anesthesia reactions Asymmetries Change in skin sensation (numbness or pain) Chin implant malposition Swelling and bruising Infection Poor wound healing or scarring Possibility of revision surgery Skin discoloration and swelling If you begin to notice any of these symptoms or have a negative reaction at any point during your recovery, please contact our office immediately.

Chin Surgery (Chin Implant) <span> in New York City</span>

Stephen M. Warren MD, FACS

Chin Surgery (Chin Implant) in New York City

What is an Alloplastic Genioplasty (aka. Chin Implant)?

An alloplastic genioplasty is a procedure performed using an artificial material (ie. Chin Implant) to change the appearance of your chin. There are two basic types of Chin Implants: smooth implants (eg. silicone) and textured implants (eg. porous polyethylene). Either type of implant can be appropriate for you. Furthermore, implants can be stock or custom-made. In general, Dr. Warren chooses smooth implants for persons seeking a softer, more feminine chin augmentation. Textured implants are more commonly used to achieve a stronger, more masculine appearance. Chin implants can be placed through an incision made inside of the lower lip or underneath the chin. Again, either incision could be right for you and the decision can be made during your conversation with Dr. Warren.

Introduction to Chin Surgery

While the chin is biomechanically insignificant, it does jut out prominently on the face of human physiognomy. Consciously or not, we assign value to the appearance of our chins—strong, weak, angular, square, narrow, protruding, long, round, or dimpled, depending on your tastes. While any chin can be attractive, it takes just the right combination of size, shape, and contour to compliment one’s appearance. Most people seeking consultation have a mild sagittal deficiency. This one-dimensional problem naturally lends itself to alloplastic augmentation (aka. alloplastic genioplasty). That said, improvements in the appearance of the chin can be achieved by any combination of bony osteotomies (aka. osseous genioplasty), alloplastic augmentation, skin resurfacing or redraping, and/or soft tissue fill. Consequently, treatment of a small chin with an implant is not always correct because all small chins are not the same. Moreover, since chin surgery complements other procedures, chin aesthetics should be evaluated in relation to the appearance and proportions of the face. Whether you are dealing with a complex multidimensional soft and hard tissue chin difference or a simple sagittal chin deficiency, an emphasis should be placed on facial balance. Dr. Stephen Warren uses the skills, expertise, and techniques gleaned from years of mentorship by expert teachers as well as his own biomedical and surgical research to help patients achieve facial balance and a well-defined, clean jawline.

The placement of a Chin Implant improves the appearance of the face by adjusting the relative proportion between the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the face. Moreover, a Chin Implant can improve the balance with the nose whether or not an accompanying rhinoplasty is performed. For example, a small chin gives the illusion that the nose is relatively large; consequently, chin augmentation can make the nose appear smaller. Finally, a Chin Implant can improve the jawline as well as the submental contour with or without an accompanying neck lift or facelift by gathering up and tightening the soft tissues.

What is an Osseous Genioplasty?

An Osseous Genioplasty is a bone cutting technique that moves a portion of your mandible (ie. mentum) to change the appearance of your chin. Since chin implants are so convenient, Dr. Warren tends to reserve an Osseous Genioplasty for more complex cases. Since an Osseous Genioplasty provides six degrees of freedom including translational (ie. forward/backward, up/down, left/right) and rotational (ie. yaw, pitch and roll) movements, it is a powerful technique that is well suited for the treatment of an asymmetric chin or a long non-projecting chin, and it is often combined with orthognathic (ie. jaw) surgery. Patients may seek an Osseous Genioplasty for aesthetic or reconstructive (eg. treatment of craniofacial microsomia, cleft lip and palate, fibrous dysplasia, vascular malformations, etc) concerns. Two common examples of an Osseous Genioplasty include a sliding genioplasty and a jumping genioplasty, but there are many variations.

Can chin augmentation be achieved with a soft tissue filler alone?

Soft tissue augmentation (ie. dermal/subdermal fillers and fat grafting) can be used to correct age associated losses of chin volume and projection. For example, as the bone and soft tissue of the aging chin shrinks, patients develop an atrophic or weak/droopy appearance.

For example, aging causes the bone and soft tissues of the chin to atrophy (ie. shrink) resulting in a weak or deflated appearance. These age-related changes in the chin can be corrected by lifting and filling the chin as well as the neighboring areas (eg. the labiomental, geniomandibular (ie. marionette lines) and submental creases). Patients who have developed contour irregularities created after chin implant removal or other surgery can also benefit from soft tissue chin augmentation. Soft tissue augmentation of the chin is best used for small augmentations. Attempts at large changes in chin projection usually result in a globular and less sculpted appearance. Patients in need of larger increases in chin projection are better treated with Alloplastic (ie. Chin Implants) or Osseous Genioplasty.

What are the Benefits of Chin Surgery?

Benefits of Chin Surgery

Irrespective of the surgical technique (ie. alloplastic, osseous, or soft tissue genioplasty), chin augmentation provides an aesthetic improvement as well as a boost in self-confidence. Some of the benefits of Chin Surgery are:

Improved balance between the upper, middle, and lower thirds of the face
Changes in the width, projection, and height of the chin
Improved profile appearance
Improved balance between the nose and chin
More attractive triangular, pear, or heart-shaped face
Reduction in the double chin appearance
Reduction or elimination of chin dimpling
Stronger chin appearance

Who are the Best Candidates for Chin Implants?

Best Candidates For Cleft Lip & Palate Repair

Chin surgery can have a subtle, yet powerful change in your appearance. Augmenting, reducing, narrowing, or defining the chin can create a soft triangular appearance in women and a square, chiseled appearance in men. The best candidates for a Chin Surgery typically meet the following criteria:

You are physically healthy and at a stable weight
You have realistic expectations
You are a nonsmoker
You are bothered by the appearance of your chin
You have a chin that is too short or lacks projection

The First Steps

What’s The First Step?

The first step in undergoing Chin Surgery in New York City is to contact our office and schedule a consultation with Dr. Warren. When you come in, he will review your medical history, listen to your concerns, and examine you. With your help, Dr. Warren will identify the key concerns, discuss the treatment options, and develop a treatment plan. For out-of-town or international patients, a virtual consultation can be easily arranged. Once you agree on the surgical treatments you can schedule your surgical date with our Patient Coordinator. Preoperative testing including a presurgical clearance by a local concierge pediatrician (for patients < 18 years of age) or internist can also be arranged. Perioperative instructions, hospital times and locations, and an itemized price breakdown will all be provided before surgery.

What to Expect on the Day of Chin Surgery

Your Chin Surgery will be performed either in our private AAASF-certified operating facility or at one of the internationally recognized hospitals in New York City. Dr. Warren only works with board-certified anesthesiologists and young adults (< 18 years of age) are always treated by a pediatric anesthesiologist. On the morning of surgery, Dr. Warren will meet with you in the preoperative area to briefly re-review the surgical plan and answer any last-minute questions. Once in the operating room, you will go off to sleep under general anesthesia. Chin Surgery can be performed using either an intraoral or submental technique. The incision is made, the tissues are elevated and the mandible is exposed. A stock or custom-made smooth or texture implant will be placed and the incision will be closed. Long-lasting local anesthetic will be injected before you wake up so that the operative sites are numb. The procedure will take 1 hour to complete. Dr. Warren will update your family during surgery so that they will know that you are doing well.

How Much Do Chin Implants Cost in New York City?

The cost of Chin Surgery in New York City will vary depending on many factors, including the procedure to be performed, the complexity of the reconstruction, and the time needed for surgery. The best way to determine the cost of your surgery is to consult with Dr. Warren and make a list of your surgical goals. Once your goals are identified, the steps necessary to achieve those goals can be defined, and a personalized surgical plan with a complete breakdown of the cost of the procedures will be provided by our Patient Coordinator.

Chin Surgery Recovery

Patients will spend about 2 hours in the recovery room. Since Dr. Warren injects local anesthetics during surgery, most patients do not have any pain in the recovery room. Instead, if anything, patients describe a sense of ‘pressure’. After a couple of hours in the recovery room, patients will be taken home by a family member or friend. Depending on the accessory procedures (eg. facelift, neck lift, gonial augmentation) performed during your Chin Surgery, patients can eat and drink anything they like after surgery; though most will choose soft or easy-to-eat foods for a couple of days. You should keep your activity to a minimum during the first week so that your tissues can heal, and to avoid bleeding. We advise that you plan to take at least one week off from work or school, but sometimes more time is necessary if accessory procedures are performed. Dr. Warren uses a balanced postoperative pain medication regimen to minimize side effects (eg. nausea) and still provide excellent pain relief. Patients are typically seen about 1 week after surgery. Out-of-town and international patients can fly home on the same day as the postoperative visit. You should be able to gradually return to normal activities such as standard exercise and non-contact sports over the next 3 weeks. After 8 weeks, the tissues will be healed and you can return to unrestricted activities. During this time, you will notice improved chin, face, and neck contours emerging as the postoperative swelling continues to fade. It will, however, take about a year for your chin to settle into its final contour as minor residual swelling resolves and the skin envelope continues to contract.

Choose us for Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery in New York, NY

Why Choose Dr. Warren?

Dr. Stephen M. Warren is a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive facial surgery. He trained in plastic surgery at Harvard and completed his specialty training in craniofacial surgery at NYU Langone Medical Center. While he was at NYU for many years, Dr. Warren moved his practice outside of the hospital to maintain the tradition of personalized private practice care. Dr. Warren is a tenured Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery, Associate Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology, and Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center. He is an emeritus Associate Professor of Cell Biology, emeritus Director of the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Laboratories, emeritus Director of the Division of Clinical and Translational Research, emeritus Director of the Variety Center for Craniofacial Surgery, and emeritus Director of the Craniofacial Surgery Fellowship program at NYU Langone Medical Center. Dr. Warren is a Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is a member of 23 professional societies, an ad hoc reviewer for 30 scientific journals, and on the editorial boards of a number of journals. He has authored nearly three hundred textbook chapters, clinical, and scientific articles. He has trained over 50 research and clinical fellows. Dr. Warren is frequently asked to lecture nationally and internationally on facial surgery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.

Schedule Consultation

Dr. Warren is here to help learn more about the benefits of Chin Surgery and adjunct procedures such as facelift, browlift, neck lift, gonial or midface augmentation, and fat grafting. These are life-changing procedures. Call us at (212) 447-6229 or request a consultation through our website. Out-of-town and international patients can meet and discuss Chin Surgery with Dr. Warren by telehealth visit. Having to make treatment decisions can be stressful, but you can breathe a little easier knowing that you have one of the best craniofacial surgeons in the field looking after you or your family member.

Stephen M. Warren, MD, FACS

Chin Surgery FAQ’s

While the desire to get back to your exercise routine is understandable, it’s more important to have a successful and healthy recovery. Every patient should wait at least a week before any sort of physical exertion, however, we suggest easing into it by taking long walks. After the second week, you can begin doing light treadmill and/or stationary bike exercises, but avoid exercises that include lifting heavy weights. You can begin lifting light weights by the 3rd week. You should always consult Dr. Warren before moving ahead in your workout regimen.
Chin Surgery is performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Warren will inject local anesthetics to provide regional and field blocks to the operative site before you wake up. Most patients do not have any pain in the recovery room. Instead, if anything, patients describe a sense of ‘pressure’. Dr. Warren uses a balanced postoperative pain medication regimen to minimize side effects (eg. nausea) and provide excellent pain relief. You can expect your chin to feel swollen and sore, but with cold compresses and rest, you will do very well after surgery.
Some patients can be scheduled for Chin Surgery after only one office visit. However, Dr. Warren prefers to see patients two or three times before surgery to review surgical simulations and refine the surgical plan. After surgery, Dr. Warren will see you in the office for a follow-up appointment about a week later. Out-of-town and international patients can travel home on the same day as the follow-up visit. Dr. Warren likes to see patients in periodic follow-up visits during the first year after surgery and annually thereafter. Of course, patients can have virtual follow-up visits if traveling into the office is inconvenient.
It takes about 7-10 days for the initial bruising and swelling to begin to subside. By about 2 weeks, most patients feel that the swelling has subsided enough that other people cannot tell that they have had surgery. Swelling will persist for weeks, however, so patients, their families, and close friends will continue to notice resolution of the swelling and improvement in the contour over the first 3-6 months. Patients will continue to see improvements in shape for about 1 year after surgery.
Patients undergoing Chin Surgery often combined additional procedures such as facelift, browlift, necklift, gonial or midface augmentation, and fat grafting. When you come in for a consultation with Dr. Warren, he will be able to help you decide on the best combination of procedures.
Dr. Warren uses his experience and knowledge to avoid untoward outcomes, however, there are still risks associated with Chin Surgery. These risks include, but are not limited to:
- Anesthesia reactions
- Asymmetries
- Change in skin sensation (numbness or pain)
- Chin implant malposition
- Swelling and bruising
- Infection
- Poor wound healing or scarring
- Possibility of revision surgery
- Skin discoloration and swelling
If you begin to notice any of these symptoms or have a negative reaction at any point during your recovery, please contact our office immediately.

Interior photo of Dr. Stephen M. Warren's practice

“

What Patients have
To say about our practice

Sarah b.

Dr Warren is one of the world most talented surgeon that i have ever had the pleasure of meeting. My son's medical challenges started 16 years ago, at birth. Dr Warren recommended and performed a brilliant, genius surgery to rectify facial symmetry caused by a tumor.

Samantha F.

Dr Warren is patient, systematic, thorough, a true perfectionist. I have the highest regard for everything Dr Warren did before, during and post surgery. Dr Warren made himself accessible around the clock to ensure that my son was taken care of every single step of the way.

Debbie G.

Dr. Warren did my sons cleft lip/gum/nose surgery and will be doing his palate surgery. He not only is a fantastic surgeon but he has an incredible bedside manner, explains everything thoroughly, and is in such constant communication with us, we don’t feel we need a whole “team”.

Robert A.

Dr. Warren is a consummate professional and an incredibly skilled surgeon. He has an amazing and comforting bedside manner that is equally met by his successful results as a surgeon.