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Atlanta chin implants

How Chin Surgery and Rhinoplasty Work Together

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Plastic surgery is an important decision for anyone, because it requires a true commitment to your health and the results can be life-changing. That’s why so many patients think that if they’re going to have surgery, they may as well get the procedures that will truly give them the results they want, hopefully in one surgery. This may take the form of combining a breast augmentation with a breast lift or a face lift with eyelid surgery, but for those who want to enhance the balance and aesthetics of their facial features, the ideal combination is often rhinoplasty with chin reshaping.

How Chin Surgery and Rhinoplasty Work TogetherMost people already know that rhinoplasty, or nose surgery, is a popular cosmetic procedure used to improve the appearance of a nose that is crooked, undesirably shaped, or disproportionately large or small for a person’s face. However, fewer people are aware that chin surgery can also provide an exceptional cosmetic improvement. Depending on the patient’s needs, this surgery can either insert a chin implant (to create a stronger, more distinct chin) or reduce and reshape the existing chin structure.

The reason nose surgery and chin surgery can complement each other so well is simple: because both of these features have a strong effect on facial balance. The exact same nose can look vastly different on a face with a stronger chin than a weaker chin, and vice versa. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, I have found that because the goal of any cosmetic surgery is to make a patient look like a more attractive version of themselves (not to make them look like someone else entirely), the key to getting successful results is to perform a surgery while keeping the patient’s overall appearance in mind.

While the combination of rhinoplasty and chin reshaping can be highly successful for patients who have one surgery years before they have the other, there is actually much to be gained by having both procedures performed during the same surgery. First, it allows me to shape both features at the same time so that they complement each other and work together to create an ideal balance and symmetry between your facial features. By the same reasoning chin surgery can be added to facial rejuvenation surgery ( face lift) to achieve improved overall facial balance. Second, by having both rhinoplasty and chin surgery at the same time, you can recover from both of them at the same time, which ultimately means you’ll spend about half as much time away from work and other daily activities than you would if you had each procedure separately.

Combining chin surgery and rhinoplasty has allowed patients throughout the country to feel confident in their appearance without the need for a long series of procedures. However, there is one caveat to keep in mind: this option is only advantageous for patients who actually do need both chin surgery and nose reshaping to achieve the best possible results. If you already have a perfectly proportioned chin and simply need to adjust the shape of your nose, adding chin augmentation or chin reduction will not offer any other advantages. To discuss what your best option might be, schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more helpful plastic surgery tips and health news, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

What Materials are in Plastic Surgery Implants?

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It’s always a good idea to educate yourself about any elective medical procedure you’re considering, and this includes plastic surgery. Patients tend to be particularly concerned and curious if their procedure involves any type of surgical implant, whether it’s in the breasts, face, or another area of the body, and it’s no surprise. After all, if you’re going to have something inside your body for decades to come, it’s natural to want to know exactly what the material is. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon who has seen implants offer successful results for thousands of patients over more than thirty years, I’m happy to offer some insight.

What Materials are in Plastic Surgery ImplantsThanks to advances in medical technology, there are a number of different options available for surgical implants. Every patient is unique in terms of their medical needs, cosmetic goals, and anatomical structure, so recommendations will vary from one patient to the next, but below are the most common options:

  • Breast Implants

While the size and shape of the implants vary from one woman to the next, there are generally three options for breast implant material: silicone, saline, and “gummy bear.” All of these options have a shell made of medical silicone, but the difference is the material used to fill the shell. Silicone implants are filled with a silicone gel, while saline implants are filled with saline—sterile salt water. “Gummy bear” implants, on the other hand, use a thicker and more cohesive form of silicone than the traditional silicone implants.

  • Implants for the Face and Other Areas of the Body

The purpose of implants is to mimic the tissue in the area, so while breast implants mimic the softness of a breast, chin implants, cheek implants, etc. are typically firmer, so they’re made from more solid materials. The type of material will depend on each patient’s needs, but the most common include solid silicone rubber, GORE-TEX®, and MEDPOR. Implants using any of these options are designed to be biocompatible (easily incorporated into the body’s natural tissue).

  • Using Your Own Body’s Tissue

For patients who want to enhance an area of their appearance but prefer to take a more natural route, using the patient’s own tissue has become increasingly popular for a number of different procedures. For instance, breast reconstruction can be performed using muscle, fat, and/or skin from the abdominal area. Facial volume can be restored using excess fat. Rhinoplasty can incorporate cartilage from the ear or rib cage. While this does require an additional incision, these options can offer exceptional results for many patients.

Even subtle changes to the structure of the face, breasts, or other areas of the body can make an extensive difference in a patient’s appearance and, as a result, their self-confidence. If you’re ready to discuss how implants, fat transfer, or other plastic surgery methods can help you reach your aesthetic goals, schedule a plastic surgery consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Or, for more interesting cosmetic surgery information, the latest news, and more, follow my Dr. Elliott Facebook page, as well as my pages on Twitter and Google+.