What you need to know about chin augmentation, from a plastic surgeon

The subject of plastic surgery has become less and less taboo over the years. Characters discuss facelifts on major television shows, and many celebrities have spoken out about the procedures they’ve personally undergone.

While scrolling through TikTok recently, I saw an influencer I follow, Jaci Marie Smith, telling her followers about an upcoming chin implant surgery she had scheduled. Not knowing anything about the process, I followed her progress through her Tiktok videos. Coincidentally, shortly after Smith’s surgery, I saw that someone I had known since high school had also recently chosen to undergo chin implant surgery.

Wanting to learn more about the procedure, I consulted a board-certified plastic surgeon Andrew CohenMD, FACS, to answer my burning questions.

What is chin implant surgery?

Simply put, chin implant surgery (formally called chinoplasty) is a way to enhance or enhance the overall look or appearance of a person’s facial shape. A half-moon shaped silicone implant is inserted into the lower jaw line and chin area. “Chin implant surgery is facial surgery whether it’s performed as a single procedure or along with a facelift, rhinoplasty, or other facial surgery,” says Dr. Cohen. “The implant is slipped through an incision in the mouth and clicks into place over the patient’s existing chin.”

As with implants, which come in a range of shapes and sizes (specifically S, M, L, and XL) depending on one’s personal preference, the reasons people have chin augmentation surgery vary. According to Dr. Cohen, “The chin can droop as we age, or sometimes a person does not have a ‘strong’ chin or has a jawline that is not as defined as the patient would like.”

Smith noted one of her TikTok videos that she always had more of a round face and that there wasn’t much projection in her chin, which was ultimately why she wanted to have the surgery. If you are someone who also does not have a very prominent chin, you may be a good candidate for a chin augmentation.

What does chin augmentation surgery involve?

Think of chin implant surgery like any other commonly performed surgery. “This is an outpatient procedure, done under IV sedation,” says Dr. Cohen, adding that the implant is usually placed through an incision either inside the mouth or just under the skin of the chin area. After the implant is placed, the incision is closed with stitches.

Smith also noted at one of her TikTok videos that she was not put under anesthesia, but that she was sedated enough that she does not remember much and had no problems with pain during the operation.

How much does a chin implant surgery usually cost?

While Smith described almost everything about the process in her videos, she didn’t touch on the price. This could be because it varies widely depending on your surgeon and location (costs tend to be higher in larger cities). However, because chin augmentation is an elective procedure, it is not covered by insurance and you will have to pay out of pocket.

Dr Cohen says you can expect to pay anywhere between £5,000 and £8,000 in total, including the surgeon’s fee, the operating room, anesthesia and all pre- and post-operative visits.

What is the recovery time for chin augmentation?

Healing time after plastic surgery can vary greatly, but with a chin augmentation, Dr. Cohen says you’ll need between “five to seven days of recovery.” Mild swelling is common, but “bruising is minimal because it’s placed through the mouth, and swelling depends on the patient and their activity level afterwards,” he says. “We always recommend pre-op Arnica and vitamins, as well as a bag of frozen peas afterwards [because it’s] soft and curves to the shape of the face.”

Patients can usually return to work within a week. After this time, you should be able to see noticeable results from the surgery.