Patients wake up wearing a chin strap with a gauze dressing tucked inside. The chin strap and dressing are removed the day after surgery. There is swelling and soreness of the chin. The skin may be numb. Sometimes the muscle that acts to pull down the corner of the mouth on one side is weak temporarily. Patients may experience some temporary difficulty articulating. The recovery is very similar to the recovery after a submental lipectomy, although there is more soreness and swelling of the chin. The sutures come out in 3-7 days.

Postoperative Appearance

INSERT Patient R.H. is seen the day after surgery, having had chin augmentation, liposuction of the cheeks, submental lipectomy, buccal fat pad excisions, and revision of an old scar of the lower lip. He has more than the usual degree of swelling and bruising because of these additional procedures.