Aesthetic Orthognathic Surgery Chicago
A strong jaw line is a physical suggestion of confidence, youth, and vigor. Features of the lower-third of the face that are lacking in definition or symmetry can influence self-esteem in men and women alike. Aesthetic orthognathic surgery, more commonly known simply as jaw surgery, is a procedure to enhance the shape, size, and contours of the jaw, while simultaneously correcting any functional issues that may be present.
AM I A CANDIDATE FOR AESTHETIC ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY?
There are a number of factors that can attribute to a weak jaw line. Some people are born with smaller jaws, or mandibular hypoplasia (an underdevelopment of the jaw). You may have a retrusive jaw (one that is displaced backwards from a central position), or would just like to enhance or augment the size or shape of your jaw. Vertical maxillary excess, also known as a “gummy smile,” or too much teeth showing can be corrected with aesthetic orthognathic surgery.
Ideal candidates for orthognathic surgery are in generally good physical health, non-smokers, and do not have any medical conditions that may impede the healing process.
To best determine if you are a candidate for aesthetic orthognathic surgery, schedule a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. In some cases, issues of the jaw line may be better treated with a different procedure, such as genioplasty, a neck lift, or liposuction.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CONSULTATION
If you believe you are a candidate for aesthetic orthognathic surgery, contact the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago for a consultation. A board-certified plastic surgeon will review your medical history and perform a full facial evaluation to see if this procedure is the best treatment option for your aesthetic goals. We will take the time to explain all aspects of the procedure, including recovery, cost, any potential risks associated with aesthetic orthognathic surgery.
HOW IS AESTHETIC ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY PERFORMED?
After general anesthesia is administered, incisions are made, typically inside the mouth. From there, the process of performing the procedure varies. Aesthetic orthognathic surgery usually involves cutting either the upper or lower jaw, realigning the affected bones, and then using plates and screws to hold them in place. These techniques are used to improve the overall aesthetic balance of the face.
During the procedure, the jaw is typically wired shut with stainless steel wires to ensure that the bones are correctly positioned. After surgery, these wires are removed and rubber bands are used to allow the bones ample time to heal in the new positions.
Lastly, sutures are used to close the incisions. Oral sutures are usually absorbable, so they will not have to be removed later.
RECOVERY AFTER AESTHETIC ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY
Bruising and swelling at and around the surgical site is normal after orthognathic surgery. Your plastic surgeon will prescribe pain medication and give specific instructions regarding diet and physical activity. A liquid diet is typical in the days following the procedure, and patients should not perform any rigorous activity until they are cleared by their plastic surgeon to do so.
Rubber bands will be placed for a short period of time after the procedure to help keep the bones in their new positions while they heal. Your plastic surgeon will discuss this with you during your consultation so that you understand the full recovery process.
The results of aesthetic orthognathic surgery will be apparent after swelling and bruising go away completely, usually within two months after the procedure is performed.
POTENTIAL RISKS OF AESTHETIC ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY
Every surgical procedure involves some potential risk. The complications generally associated with orthognathic surgery include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Changes in skin sensation
- Mouth or lip numbness
You should always ensure that your surgeon is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery before undergoing any surgical procedure, and that the surgery is being carried out in an accredited surgical facility.
WHAT DOES AESTHETIC ORTHOGNATHIC SURGERY COST?
The national average cost for orthognathic surgery, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, is around $18,000. This figure will vary according to your location, the surgeon, and your particular aesthetic goals. In some cases, health insurance may cover some of the cost if the jaw is misaligned, under or overdeveloped, or if a congenital defect is apparent. You should speak with your health insurance provider before scheduling a consultation.
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
At the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about aesthetic orthognathic surgery. If you believe you may be a candidate for this procedure, give us a call to schedule a consultation and speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon.
All surgical procedures by the Plastic Surgery Clinic of Chicago are performed at top hospitals in Chicago and CMS or AAAASF-certified surgical centers for safety.
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Happy for this patient and her 6 week post-operative result from a breast augmentation. We placed a 400 cc gel implant, in a sub-muscular plane, and through a periareolar incision. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gelimplants #mastopexy #gummybear #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Happy for this patient and her transformation. This patient is transfemale who underwent facial feminization. Can you tell what surgeries were performed? Still have to perform the tracheal shave. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #craniofacialsurgery #FFS #facialfeminization #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
6 month follow-up on a mastopexy augmentation case. The patient’s goals were to have her breasts lifted and the volume restored after pregnancy. No patient has perfectly symmetric breasts, which is normal. This case was challenging because of the asymmetries of the nipples; trying to lift, augment, and level the nipples all at the same time is difficult. Many variables to control but the post-operative photos demonstrate improved symmetry with all of the patient’s goals achieved. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #mastopexy #breastlift #gummybear #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
6 month follow-up on a challenging revision rhinoplasty case. The patient had 3 prior rhinoplasty surgeries by another surgeon and was not happy with the aesthetics of the dorsum or tip. In the pre-operative profile views, you can see a dorsal hump, under-projected tip, and abnormal alar-columellar relationship. On frontal view, there are asymmetries of the dorsal aesthetic lines and C-shape deviation of the nose. The goal of the surgery was to make the nose straighter, improve the dorsum and tip proportions, increase tip projection, and improve the alar-columellar relationship. Look closely at the post-operative profile views and how the tip, nostril and columella appear. Posted with permission.
#plasticsugery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #revisionrhinoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Many ways to do a breast augmentation but the periareolar incision is a great option because the scar becomes imperceptible as the scar matures. This patient is 6 months out from a breast augmentation and the access incision we made was at the bottom border of the nipple areolar complex. It’s hard to see the scar at this point and the scar gets even better at the 12-18 month mark. Also, nipple sensation is unaffected after surgery. The other incisions that plastic surgeons use include an incision underneath the breast, at the breast fold, or the armpit. Each incision has their pros and cons but the periareolar is my preferred approach.
#plasticsurgeon #plasticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gummybearimplants #breastimplants #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery #cosmeticsurgery
Challenging #gynecomastia case where the patient had grade 2/3 gynecomastia or male breasts with excess skin and significant asymmetries. The challenging part of this case relates to how to manage the excess skin and achieve a symmetric result. Do you remove the excess skin which will leave scars or try to contract the skin with minimally invasive techniques? In this case I performed liposuction, removed the breast tissue through a nipple incision, and performed #Renuvion to facilitate contraction of the skin. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #gynecomastia #liposuction #Renuvion #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Nasal reconstruction for a patient who had a full thickness defect or hole of the left nostril after Mohs surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma. The patient was missing all three layers of the nose and if you look closely, you can see into the nose and visualize the septum. We re-built the nose using tissue from his forehead or a #forehead flap. In the post-operative photos, you can see a nice reconstruction of the nostril with restored form and function. Additionally, the reconstructed side is symmetric with the unaffected side. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #nasalreconstruction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
3 month follow-up on this patient who wanted improvement in the projection of her chin and definition of the jawline. The patient has retrogenia or a small chin and underwent #chinaugmentation with a #genioplasty. In the pre-operative photos, you can see the chin is short and recessed and therefore I moved the chin forward and down. In the post-operative photos you can see improvement in the projection of the chin, a more defined jawline and neck, and a more balanced lower 1/3 of the face. This case highlights the advantages of a genioplasty versus a chin implant, a chin implant cannot lengthen and advance the chin to the same extent that a genioplasty can. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #genioplasty #chinaugmentation #craniofacialsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Gym or surgery? This patient underwent hi-def liposuction or abdominal etching to improve the contour of the abdomen and to define the abdominal muscles. In the post-operative photos, the patient has natural washboard abs. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #abdominaletching #hidefliposuction #liposculpture #liposuction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Long term follow-up on a revision mastopexy augmentation case. The patient had a previous augmentation with gel implants and wanted the implants removed, breasts lifted, and re-augmented with fat but downsized. The patient underwent explantation of the implants, a capsulectomy, a breast lift, and fat transfer to augment the breasts. In the post-operative photos, you can see the breast/nipples are lifted to a more aesthetic position and we were able to maintain volume, although smaller, with fat transfer alone. This patient has a very natural result using only fat from her abdomen to restore volume. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastlift #breastaugmentation #mommymakeover #fattransfer #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
1 year follow-up on a primary rhinoplasty. This patient’s goals were a straighter profile, smaller and more refined tip, and a nose that was not drastically different. In the post-operative photos you can see the dorsal hump was removed and the nasal bones narrowed, the tip was refined, rotated, and projected more. Overall, still her nose but more refined and aesthetic. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #rhinoplasty #nosejob #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Early follow-up on a #facialmasculinization surgery for a trans male who wanted to improve the contour of the lower 1/3 of the face and neck. The patient underwent a sliding #genioplasty, custom #mandibularimplants, and #neckliposuction to achieve his goals. We used computer software to design the cuts in the bone and #3Dprinting to make the custom mandibular implants. Can you see the improved contour of the chin, jawline, and neck in the post-operative photos? Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #craniofacialsurgery #genioplasty #chinimplants #facialimplants #facialmasculinization #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
1 year follow-up on a patient who wanted fuller and more symmetric breasts after having deflation with pregnancy. The patient is athletic and therefore it was very important to her to have a smaller augmentation that appeared natural. The patient underwent a breast augmentation with gel implants (250 cc) through a periareaolar incision and in a submuscular plane. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #breastaugmentation #gummybear #breastlift #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
This patient had a full thickness nasal defect of the left nostril after a skin cancer was removed by our Dermatology colleagues. Even though the wound is relatively small, this is a challenging reconstruction because all layers of the nose have to be rebuilt without making the reconstructed area bulky and noticeable. Also, you have to make the area strong enough so that the nostril doesn’t collapse as the area heals and scars. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #skincancer #nasalreconstruction #nosejob #rhinoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
A 1 year follow-up on a patient who wanted a rhinoplasty to remove the dorsal hump and improve the aesthetics of her tip. In this case the dorsal hump was removed, the nose made straighter, the tip refined, and the tip rotated and projected more. Her new nose fits her face without overtly changing the ethnic features of her face. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #rhinoplasty #ethnicrhinoplasty #nosejob #cosmeticsurgery #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Proud of our research team for getting this important manuscript published in the #1 plastic surgery journal in the world. In this study, we looked at the published literature to develop guidelines on how to treat visual impairments related to droopy eyelids and excess skin of the eyelids.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #blepharoplasty #eyelidlift #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Happy for this patient who underwent full facial rejuvenation surgery, which included a brow lift, upper/lower blepharoplasty, facelift, neck lift, and facial fat transfer. How much younger does he look now? Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #facelift #necklift #blepharoplasty #eyelidlift #browlift #fattransfer #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Amazing transformation for this lovely patient who wanted to have fuller, more symmetric, youthful, and natural breasts. The patient underwent a #breastaugmentation with gel implants. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #breastaugmentation #gelimplants #gummybearimplants #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
One year follow-up on a #BBL or Brazilian butt lift. As you can see from the post-operative photos, the fat that is transferred stays and is permanent. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #BBL #360degreeliposcution #liposuction #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
Male patient in his late 60’s who was able to turn back the clock after undergoing a #facelift, #neck lift, #blepharoplasty, and #fattransfer. Pay close attention to the “bags” underneath the eyes, the jawline, and neck. The scars have healed nicely and are inconspicuous even with short hair. In the post-operative photos, the patient has maintained his natural facial features and anatomy, but just looks like a more youthful version of himself. Posted with permission.
#plasticsurgery #plasticsurgeon #cosmeticsurgery #facelift #necklift #blepharoplasty #chicago #chicagoplasticsurgery
