Denis J. Winder M.D.
Durango SurgiCenter
316 Sawyer Dr
Durango Co 81303
Phone: (970)259-3818
Fax: (970)259-9553
e-mail:
winder@durangoplasticsurg.com

FACIAL IMPLANTS

If you're considering cheek or chin implants....

Your face is made up of a multitude of elements...chin, cheeks, brow, jaw, etc. When any of these features are weak, or small in comparison to the other elements of the face, the use of carefully styled implants can bring the entire face "into balance". If your mid-face, cheek area is "flat", cheek implants can many times bring the face into harmony or balance. Cheek implants can also give you a more "youthful" look, since this is one of the first areas of our face to drop with the changes that take place with aging. If your chin is "recessive or weak", a chin implant can many times bring the face into harmony, and often make a nose that looks too large, "just right".

The best candidates for facial implants are people who are looking for improvement, not perfection, in the way they look. If you're physically healthy and realistic in your expectations you may be a good candidate for this type of facial surgery. Cheek implants are usually inserted from an incision inside of the mouth, so it is important that you have a clean and healthy mouth and gums at the time of surgery.

It can be quite amazing how subtle changes like cheek implants can dramatically change the overall "look" of your face, and the way that others see you. It is sometimes helpful to look at a computer rendering of what you might look like after surgery in order to help you decide if facial implants are for you.

You'll meet with Dr. Winder and his patient counselor to go over all the information and details you will need to know to make a fully informed and educated decision about this surgery (including looking at "before & after" pictures of other patients). Approximately one week prior to surgery you will have your pre-op appointment in the Durango office; one of our nurses and Dr. Winder will do a complete physical and history, and, if needed, we will send you for pre-op laboratory tests.

The surgery is performed under local anesthetic, with or without supplemental IV sedation, in our SurgiCenter in Durango with no overnight stay, complete confidentiality, and with considerable cost savings vs. hospitalization. The incision for a cheek implant is under the chin, very tiny, and heals in a very acceptable manner. The incision for cheek implants is inside the mouth at the buccogingival fold (where the cheek meets the upper gum). These surgeries take approximately one to two hours.

There will probably be some swelling and bruising; most patients feel no more than a tightness in the area of the implant and that is easily controlled with medication. You may feel numbness in your lips for a few days (much like you'd had dental work). You may return to work as soon as you feel able, maybe even as early as a day or two.

Read our most Frequently asked Questions about Chin Implants.