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Facial Implants

How to Prepare for Surgery

We thank you for choosing our office for your procedure. We want to help you succeed in every way possible. You will have a presurgical appointment 2-3 weeks before your surgery with the surgical assistant that will be involved in your procedure. At this appointment we will obtain a CBCT scan and 3D photos will be taken to allow for the planning of your surgery. You will be able to sit with Dr. Sanovich and determine the best fit for your future facial implants with our Vectra program. If you have someone that will be taking care of you, it is recommended that they come to this pre-surgical appointment so they can hear and understand post-op instructions. All prescriptions that are called in are to be taken after surgery. We will provide one dose of arnica to help prevent bruising, which you can start taking 8 days prior to your procedure. If you would like to take another dose after surgery, arnica supplements can be purchased in our office or in common drugstores. We recommend obtaining all necessary items prior to surgery, that way after surgery you can go straight home and rest. 

During the recovery process, keep in mind that the tissue may feel differently than what you are used to, and the texture will continue to change and improve as you go through the recovery process. We ask you to manage your healing expectations immediately after surgery, as you will begin to see results approximately 6 weeks after surgery, and optimal results can be seen at 6 months or more.

What Can I Expect After Surgery?

  • Facial swelling and bruising are common after facial implants and usually start to minimize by 10-14 days after surgery. We recommend sleeping in a reclined position for at least 10 days to help reduce swelling. 
  • Your chin and neck will be slightly numb for several weeks to months.  Sensation will start to return as healing progresses. When the sensation starts to return, you may experience a “pins and needles” or an “itching” sensation.  This is a sign that the nerve is recovering and is completely normal. Avoid any exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures, as you risk burning the skin due to decreased sensation.
  • You will leave the office on the day of your procedure with a head wrap that can be removed 24 hours after your procedure. You can replace it with a head wrap that we will provide for you. 
  • The neck will be stiff and tight up to 3-4 weeks following the procedure. 
  • The incision is inside of the mouth and therefore creates swelling intraorally that can take up to 4 weeks to subside. Your smile will seem to change during the healing process due to swelling and numbness, but should return to normal within 3-6 months after surgery. 
  • There will be bleeding from inside the mouth that can take up to 72 hours to resolve. We ask that you don’t pack gauze in the site, as it could irritate or re-open the incisions.
  • We can provide a suction to take home the first week if needed. 
  • While healing, please avoid peeling back the lip to look at the incision, as it could cause it to open.
  • We also have surgical ice machines to help reduce swelling that are available for purchase or rent. 

Numbness

  • Your face and neck may feel right after surgery.  There may be a feeling of numbness in your face for several weeks that could last for 3-6 months after surgery. It will eventually dissipate, and your feeling will return to normal with time.
  • A long-lasting local anesthetic (Exparel) will be injected during surgery. This will assist with pain relief for up to 72 hours by keeping you numb. This will also make your chin and lower lip numb until it wears off.

Dietary Restrictions After Surgery 

  • You may have something to eat once you leave our office, but do not eat anything hot. Start with liquids and soft, non-chew foods: soup, yogurt, scrambled eggs, etc.  You should gradually advance to a soft-chew diet for the rest of the week. A soft diet is anything you can cut with a fork (ground meat dishes, casseroles, cooked vegetables, chicken, fish, macaroni, etc.). Foods to avoid are things like popcorn, nuts, and foods with seeds or berries in them.
  • Hydration is key to recovering. We recommend consuming 8-10 glasses of liquid per day throughout the recovery process.

Activity Level After Surgery 

  • Avoid any strenuous physical activity for one week.
  • You may return to school or light duty work (non-physical labor) between 1-2 weeks after surgery, or as tolerated.
  • Although you just had surgery, we recommend you do not stay in bed while awake. The more movement and blood flow, the easier recovery can be.
  • Try to transfer to a chair and walk around the house. You want to be as active as possible, but avoid doing anything too strenuous.

Prescriptions After Surgery  

  • You will be prescribed medications based on your health history. 
  • You will receive pain medication to use for the first 3-5 days post-surgery.
  • An antibiotic will be prescribed for you to start taking the day after surgery.
  • Antibiotic mouth rinse will be called in to use for the first week to help with hygiene. 
  • An oral steroid will be prescribed to help reduce swelling.
  • Anti-nausea medication will help limit any nausea you may experience after surgery.

Hygiene

  • You may shower and wash your hair and face following the surgical procedure.
  • Begin using the prescribed mouth rinse, Peridex (Chlorhexidine), on the first evening of the surgery. Begin rinsing with ½ ounce (line notated within the mouth rinse cap) for 30 seconds. Only use twice daily after brushing for one week. Use a baby sized, soft bristled toothbrush to clean the teeth. Keeping the mouth clean will reduce the chance of infection.
  • After the first week, the sutures should start to dissolve as the gum tissue starts to heal.  You may rinse with warm salt water as often as you like to help soothe the wounds. Avoid mouth rinses with alcohol (most of the commercial OTC mouth rinses contain alcohol), as they may burn and irritate the healing wounds.
  • Avoid smoking as it will slow or prevent healing and may result in an infection. 
  • Avoid directing water picks to the incision sites in the first 1-2 weeks following surgery, as the fluid may become trapped in the wound.
  • A head wrap will be placed that will hold ice packs. This may be removed when you are not utilizing the cold packs.

What Happens at the Follow-Up Visits?

  • You will have a follow-up 1 week after the procedure to assess the incisions and overall healing progress. We will not remove sutures at this time, as we like to keep the sutures in the mouth for up to 2-3 weeks. 
  • We have a Candela Vbeam Prima Perfecta Laser Machine, a pulsed-dye laser (PDL), that will help reduce the appearance of dark red or purple bruising more quickly.
  • We take photos at each follow-up appointment to monitor your healing progress.
  • You will have a follow-up 2-3 weeks after surgery, where any additional sutures will be removed.
  • You may call or email at any time during your recovery if you have questions or concerns between follow-up visits.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

  • If you have difficulty breathing
  • If you have a sudden onset of new or increased swelling or bleeding
  • If you have a foul odor or taste in your mouth
  • If drainage or discharge occurs at the incision site
  • If you are unable to urinate
  • If you have severe pain that is not improved with medications
  • If you experience a rash, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, severe constipation, or other unexpected reactions
  • If you have an oral temperature over 100.5 degrees
  • If you have a question or concern that must be addressed prior to the follow-up visit

Who Should I Call if I Have Questions? 

Please call our office at (972) 914-3660. You may also email photos or questions to info@dsa.live and someone will get in touch with you within 24-48 hours. 

Real patients. Real Reviews.
  • “Thank Dallas Surgical Arts for a staff that is phenomenal!”

    Amy H.
  • “I look forward to more outstanding results.”

    Roslyn G.
  • “Will most definitely return here if I need anything else done in the future. <3”

    Heather M.
  • “The experience could not have gone more smoothly.”

    Alexandra C.
  • “We would for sure be back for any other needs and are so thankful for Dr. Sanovich and his staff!”

    Laura M.

The Dallas surgical arts team

  • Dr. Randy R. Sanovich, DDS Photo
    Dr. Randy R. Sanovich, DDS Board Certified Facial Cosmetic Surgeon, Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
    As a dual board-certified surgeon in oral, maxillofacial, and facial cosmetic surgery, Dr. Randy Sanovich is committed to providing optimum results for his patients. Dr. Sanovich’s extensive training ...
    Learn More

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