Chin Implant in Metairie, LA
At Aesthetic Surgical Associates, we understand that facial balance and proportion play a significant role in your facial appearance and self-confidence. For many individuals, a recessed or weak chin can create facial disharmony, making the nose appear larger or causing a lack of definition in the jawline. Chin augmentation offers a permanent solution to enhance your profile and create a more balanced look. Dr. Stephen E. Metzinger, our board-certified plastic surgeon in Metairie, LA, specializes in facial contouring procedures including chin implants. With his extensive experience and artistic eye, Dr. Metzinger helps patients achieve natural-looking results that complement their unique facial features.
What is a
Chin Implant?
Chin implant surgery is a procedure that enhances the size and shape of the chin by inserting a biocompatible implant. This simple cosmetic procedure is designed to improve facial harmony by creating better balance between the chin and other facial features like the nose. Chin implants are typically made from solid silicone implant material or other biocompatible materials that feel natural and integrate well with your existing chin bone. These implants come in various sizes and shapes, allowing for customization based on your specific needs and desired outcome.
Chin augmentation surgery addresses several common concerns:
Chin augmentation surgery addresses several common concerns:
- A recessed or “weak” chin
- Poor definition between the neck and jawline (sometimes appearing as a double chin)
- Facial imbalance where other features appear disproportionate
- A short or undefined jawline
Many patients choose to combine chin surgery with other facial procedures such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery) or neck liposuction for comprehensive rejuvenation and balance.
Add-on Procedures:
Rhinoplasty
Combining chin augmentation with rhinoplasty can create dramatically enhanced facial harmony and balance. Dr. Metzinger often recommends this combination for patients seeking comprehensive facial profile improvement, as the proportions of the chin and nose are intimately connected in creating an aesthetically pleasing appearance. When performed together, these procedures complement each other to achieve optimal facial balance. A weak chin can make the nose appear larger than it actually is, while an overprojected nose can make the chin seem more recessed. By addressing both features simultaneously, Dr. Metzinger can create more harmonious facial proportions that enhance your natural beauty.
This combined approach offers several advantages, including a single recovery period, reduced overall cost compared to having the procedures separately, and most importantly, results that are perfectly calibrated to work together. During your consultation, Dr. Metzinger will evaluate your facial structure and discuss whether this combination might be beneficial for achieving your aesthetic goals.
Chin Implant Procedure: Step by Step
Consultation and Preparation
Before chin surgery, Dr. Metzinger conducts a thorough assessment of your facial structure, discusses your goals, and may use digital imaging to visualize potential outcomes. On the day of your chin enhancement surgery, your skin will be cleaned, and markings will be made to guide the procedure. Most chin implants are performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on your preferences and whether additional procedures are being performed simultaneously.
Surgical Approach and Incision
Dr. Metzinger typically uses one of two approaches: an incision inside the mouth, between the lower lip and gum (intraoral approach) or a small incision under the chin in a natural crease (submental approach). The choice depends on your facial tissue and the specific requirements of your procedure. After the incision, a pocket of the appropriate size is created for the implant.
Implant Placement and Positioning
Dr. Metzinger carefully positions the implant directly on the existing chin bone. This precise placement ensures natural-looking results and proper attachment to the bony structure. Before completing this step, he ensures the implant is secure and positioned for optimal shape and contour.
Closure and Final Adjustments
Once the implant is properly positioned, the incision is closed with fine sutures designed to minimize scarring. If an external incision was used, it’s placed in a natural crease to make any resulting mark virtually imperceptible once healed.
The entire chin augmentation procedure typically takes 45 minutes to an hour when performed as a standalone outpatient procedure, though this may vary if combined with other surgeries.
View Our Chin Implant
Before & After
Before & After
Recovery after Chin Implant Surgery
Initial Recovery (First Week)
During the first 24 hours, you’ll experience mild to moderate discomfort managed with prescribed pain medication, along with facial pressure and tightness around the chin area. A soft diet is recommended to minimize jaw movement, and you should use cold compresses to reduce swelling and bruising while keeping your head elevated during sleep. As you progress through days 2-7, discomfort typically decreases with most patients transitioning to over-the-counter pain relievers. This period brings peak swelling and bruising (most noticeable on days 2-3), and any external sutures may be removed. You should continue with a soft diet, limit facial expressions and talking to minimize stress on soft tissue, and begin returning to light daily activities while avoiding strenuous exercise.
Early Healing (Weeks 1-2)
During this phase, most visible swelling and bruising subsides, allowing you to transition back to a normal diet as comfort allows. Most patients return to work and social activities around 7-10 days after surgery, though continued avoidance of strenuous physical activity is recommended. Internal sutures, if used, begin to dissolve during this time.
Intermediate Recovery (Weeks 3-6)
At this stage, you’ll be able to resume most normal activities, including moderate exercise. You’ll notice a significant reduction in swelling with improving facial profile, decreasing numbness, and improving skin sensation. Normal social activities can be resumed comfortably, and by the 6-week mark, many patients can begin returning to more vigorous physical activities.
Complete Healing (3+ Months)
Over the next several months, the final subtle swelling continues to resolve, and the implant begins to feel like a natural part of your chin bone. By 6 months, final results are fully visible as all residual swelling resolves completely. Scars continue to fade and mature over this time. Dr. Metzinger recommends long-term follow-up appointments to ensure continued satisfaction with your results and to address any concerns that may arise.
Ideal Candidate for Chin Implant Surgery
While many people can benefit from chin augmentation, certain characteristics make someone an ideal candidate for this procedure. You may be well-suited for a chin implant if:
You have a recessed or weak chin that affects your profile
Your facial features appear unbalanced due to chin proportion
You're in good overall physical health
You have realistic expectations about what chin augmentation surgery can achieve
Your facial growth is complete (typically 18+ years of age)
You're a non-smoker or willing to quit before and after surgery
You have good skin elasticity in the chin and neck area
You're bothered by the appearance of your chin when viewing your facial profile
During your consultation, Dr. Metzinger will carefully evaluate your facial structure, discuss your aesthetic goals, and determine if chin enhancement surgery is the most appropriate solution for your desired outcome.
Benefits of Chin Implant Surgery
Physical Benefits
Chin implant surgery creates a more defined jawline and chin profile, improving facial balance and proportion. The procedure enhances the neck-chin angle, creating a more defined transition, and can make the nose appear more proportionate without rhinoplasty. It provides better definition to the lower face and creates a stronger, more defined appearance particularly beneficial for men. Chin implants offer permanent results with a single procedure and result in minimal visible scarring, especially with intraoral technique. The procedure can be combined with other treatments for comprehensive facial rejuvenation and serves as an alternative to temporary solutions like injectable fillers.
Emotional Benefits
Patients experience increased self-confidence in profile photographs and greater comfort with overall facial appearance. Many report improved self-esteem in social and professional settings and satisfaction with a more balanced and harmonious face. The procedure reduces self-consciousness about a weak chin and creates feelings of being more attractive and youthful. Patients often develop a greater willingness to engage socially without profile concerns and enjoy a long-lasting boost in body image and self-perception.
Cost of Chin
Implant Surgery
in Metairie, LA
The average cost of chin implant surgery in Metairie, LA is typically between $3,500 and $5,500, depending on your individual needs and goals. This comprehensive investment includes the surgeon’s professional fee, anesthesia fees, facility costs, the chin implant itself, pre-operative tests, any recommended post-operative garments, and all follow-up appointments. Your specific cost may vary based on the complexity of your individual case, the type and shape of implant selected, whether additional procedures are performed simultaneously, the type of anesthesia used, and whether alternatives like fat grafting versus traditional implants are chosen. During your personal consultation with Dr. Metzinger, we provide a detailed cost analysis specific to your treatment plan.
Our patient coordinator will discuss financing options available through reputable healthcare financing companies, which offer flexible payment plans to help make your chin enhancement more affordable. At Aesthetic Surgical Associates, we believe in transparent pricing and ensuring our patients fully understand the investment in their appearance and confidence.
Why Choose Us for Your Chin Implant Surgery?
Selecting the right surgeon for your chin augmentation procedure is crucial for achieving natural, balanced results. At Aesthetic Surgical Associates, we offer distinct advantages for patients seeking chin enhancement in Metairie and the greater New Orleans area. Dr. Stephen E. Metzinger, our board-certified plastic surgeon, brings specialized expertise in facial cosmetic procedures and creates personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique facial anatomy and aesthetic goals. Our comprehensive care approach ensures attentive support from your initial consultation through your final follow-up, all within our state-of-the-art accredited surgical center that provides the latest technology in a comfortable, private environment. Dr. Metzinger’s artistic eye and technical precision guarantee natural-looking enhancements that complement your features without appearing overdone, and when appropriate, we can coordinate chin augmentation with other facial procedures for comprehensive rejuvenation with a single recovery period. The high rate of patient referrals and positive testimonials reflect our commitment to exceptional results and patient education, as we take time to ensure you fully understand your procedure, expected outcomes, and recovery process.
Contact our Metairie office today to schedule your personal consultation and take the first step toward a more balanced, confident you.
