Chin Surgery (Genioplasty) Sydney

Chin Surgery (Genioplasty)

Genioplasty, or chin surgery, alters the position and shape of the chin bone to change facial proportions in profile and from the front. It can bring a small or receding chin forward, set a prominent chin back, shorten or lengthen a chin vertically, or correct sideways asymmetry. Because it moves your own bone rather than adding an implant, the change is built from your existing anatomy.

Chin position affects how the rest of the face reads. A chin that sits behind the ideal line can make the nose appear larger, blunt the definition between the chin and neck, and contribute to the look of a double chin even at a stable weight. Genioplasty is often planned alongside rhinoplasty, a neck lift or liposuction under the chin, and it is also used in facial feminisation and masculinisation.

The most common form is a sliding advancement genioplasty, where the lower segment of the chin bone is separated and repositioned. Dr Maryam assesses your bite, chin projection, chin height and symmetry, and your soft tissue, to work out whether genioplasty alone is appropriate or whether an orthodontic or jaw surgery opinion is warranted first.

Who it may suit

• Your chin is small or set back and your profile lacks definition.
• Your chin projects further forward than the rest of your face.
• Your chin is long or short vertically, or sits off centre.
• You are considering rhinoplasty and want facial balance assessed as a whole.
• You would prefer bone repositioning to a chin implant.
• Your bite is stable, or orthodontic and jaw surgery needs have already been assessed.

What genioplasty involves

Genioplasty is performed under general anaesthetic. Planning usually includes photographs and imaging such as an X-ray or CT to map the bone and the position of the mental nerve.

1. An incision is usually made inside the mouth, behind the lower lip, so there is no external scar. An incision under the chin is used in some cases.
2. Tissue is lifted to expose the chin bone while protecting the mental nerve.
3. A controlled cut in the bone, an osteotomy, separates the lower chin segment, which is then moved forward, back, up, down or sideways as planned.
4. The segment is fixed in its new position with small titanium plates and screws, which normally stay in place permanently.
5. The incision is closed and supportive tape or a dressing is applied.

Recovery

Recovery timing varies, and swelling in the chin and lower lip takes a while to fully resolve.

• Swelling and bruising peak in the first few days and mostly settle over two to four weeks, with residual oedema possible for several months.
• Numbness of the lower lip and chin is expected early and usually improves over weeks to months.
• With an incision inside the mouth, a soft diet and careful oral hygiene including antiseptic rinses are typically advised for one to two weeks.
• Most people take about one to two weeks away from work.
• Contact sport and strenuous exercise are usually avoided for around six weeks.

Risks and considerations

Risks include injury to the mental nerve causing numbness of the lower lip and chin, usually temporary but sometimes permanent, bleeding, infection, problems with the plates and screws requiring removal, delayed or incomplete bone healing, asymmetry, a step or irregularity in the bone contour, change in lower lip position or movement, damage to tooth roots, and anaesthetic risks including blood clots. Revision surgery is sometimes needed.

Patients sometimes ask about obstructive sleep apnoea. Chin and jaw position form one part of airway anatomy, so if you have symptoms such as snoring, disturbed sleep or daytime tiredness, that should be investigated properly with a sleep study and assessed by the relevant specialists. Genioplasty is planned here as a facial procedure and is not offered as a treatment for sleep apnoea.

Your consultation with Dr Maryam

Under Australian regulation, cosmetic surgery requires a referral from a registered medical practitioner, with a GP referral preferred, and a cooling-off period of at least seven days between your consultation and booking. Patients under 18 have a three month cooling-off period and must also be assessed by an appropriate registered health practitioner.

Dr Maryam Seyedabadi is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon, MBBS FRACS, AHPRA registration MED0001341746, consulting at 2c Heeley Street, Paddington NSW 2021. Your consultation covers examination and imaging, the technique proposed, the risks named above, the alternatives including a chin implant, dermal filler, jaw surgery or no treatment, and the recovery involved, so you can decide with the information in front of you. She operates at St Luke’s Hospital in Potts Point, East Sydney Private Hospital, Sydney Day Hospital, The Skin Hospital in Darlinghurst and Double Bay Day Hospital. Fees are quoted after your consultation. Call 1300 067 668 to book.