Curious what happens after a genioplasty procedure?
At Dallas Surgical Arts, we want you to feel completely prepared for every stage of your healing journey. If you are considering your options with chin surgery, like a chin reduction (reduccion de barbilla) remember that we are offering free genioplasty consults this September! This is a great chance to understand more about the options available to you that are designed to help you look and feel your best.
Here is a breakdown of what the recovery process looks like from day one to month six!
Before Chin Surgery and Virtual Planning
Your journey starts two to three weeks before the actual procedure with a pre-surgical appointment. During this visit, our team captures a 3D scan of your teeth alongside a CBCT scan. Dr. Sanovich and our engineering team use virtual surgical planning (VSP) to map out your procedure on a 3D model of your anatomy. This ensures the exact movements of your chin are planned down to the millimeter. We will give you a copy of this plan within ten days of your appointment.
We also provide a dose of arnica to help prevent bruising, which you can start taking eight days prior to surgery. Getting your prescriptions filled and gathering items like soft foods and ice packs ahead of time lets you go home and relax after your procedure.
The First Two Weeks: Managing Swelling and Numbness
Expect facial swelling and bruising right after surgery. This typically peaks early and starts to minimize around ten to fourteen days. Sleeping in a reclined position for at least the first ten days helps keep swelling down.
Your chin and neck will feel numb and tight. An injection of a long-lasting local anesthetic called Exparel helps control pain for the first seventy-two hours. As feeling slowly returns over the coming weeks, you might notice a tingling or itching sensation. This pins and needles feeling simply means the nerve is recovering normally. Because your sensation is reduced during this time, avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures near your chin to prevent accidental burns.
You will leave the office wearing a head wrap. You can remove it after twenty-four hours and replace it with the clean wrap we provide.
Diet and Activity Levels After Chin Surgery
Eating after surgery requires a gentle approach. You can eat once you leave the office, but keep meals cool and stick to liquids and soft foods like yogurt, soup, and scrambled eggs. Over the course of the first week, you can gradually transition to a soft-chew diet. Soft-chew foods are foods you can easily cut with a fork, such as casseroles, fish, and soft vegetables. Avoid crunchy or seedy items like popcorn, nuts, and berries during this time. Hydration is vital, so we ask that you aim for eight to ten glasses of fluid every day.
When it comes to activity, we ask that you avoid strenuous exercise for one week as you begin the recovery process. However, you do not want to stay confined to your bed while awake. Light movement and walking around the house promote blood flow and help recovery. Most patients find they are able to return to school or non-physical desk work within one to two weeks.
Hygiene and Healing Milestones During Genioplasty Recovery
After a genioplasty, one of the most important things is keeping your mouth clean to prevent infection. As part of your post-op protocol, you will start using a prescribed mouth rinse called Peridex on the evening of your surgery, as well as a soft-bristled baby toothbrush for your teeth. You want to avoid commercial mouthwashes containing alcohol, as they will irritate the healing wounds.
You will see Dr. Sanovich for a follow-up visit one week after surgery to check the incision. A second visit will be scheduled for two to three weeks post-op to remove any remaining sutures.
Patience is key during recovery. While initial results start to show around six weeks, swelling will continue to decrease over the next few months, with optimal results usually noticeable after six months or longer.
Book Your Free Genioplasty Consultation in September 2026
If you have questions about chin surgery or want to map out your own transformation plan, take advantage of our free genioplasty consults this September at Dallas Surgical Arts. Reach out to our team today to schedule your visit!
Offer available through September 2026.