Those who are lucky enough to have a strong chin probably don't think about it very often. But many people who have an underdeveloped chin structure certainly do. It's not pleasant to have your chin characterized as "weak." It's frustrating when your otherwise attractive face is undermined by a receding chin. And fair or unfair, some people make a leap in judgment -- weak chin, weak personality.
As a San Francisco cosmetic surgeon focused solely on the face, head and neck, Dr. David Mabrie understands very well how important our facial features are to our overall satisfaction with our looks. Contact him for a consultation today and find out how he can help.
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Before & After
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Am I a Good Candidate?
If you generally feel pretty good about yourself but you have an undersized chin that causes you to feel unhappy with your appearance, you could be a good candidate for chin augmentation. If you're also considering nose surgery or a facelift, you may very well find that getting a chin implant at the same time will balance your face and give you that strong profile and "finished" look you've been seeking.
Why Choose Dr. David Mabrie for My Chin Augmentation?
Excellent Training, Double-Board Certification, Specialization in the Face and Neck
Dr. Mabrie specializes in facial cosmetic surgery for his San Francisco area patients. Completing medical school at the University of California at San Francisco with honors, his residency at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Maryland and a fellowship in Facial Plastic Surgery at Stanford University, Dr. Mabrie has focused all his time and talents on plastic surgery for the face, head and neck. He has a thorough understanding of the anatomy of this complex area and has helped thousands of people feel much better about their appearance through facial cosmetic surgery and anti-aging treatments.
Dr. Mabrie follows in the footsteps of his father, Dr. Herman J. Mabrie III, a well-respected head and neck surgeon in Houston, Texas. After a distinguishing himself during his years of medical school and residency at Johns Hopkins, UCSF and Stanford, Dr. Mabrie received double-board certification from the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, (ear, nose, and throat).
Click to read his full curriculum vitae.
How Will I Look?
Facial plastic surgery is successful when subtle changes to your appearance bring about a more attractive you. A slight but important change is what you can expect from chin augmentation. You and your loved ones may notice your stronger chin, but some of your friends may not.
Even more important is the way a procedure like chin augmentation can impact how you feel about yourself. By balancing your other facial features, a chin implant can give you a handsome profile more in line with what's considered classically attractive in our society. If you've struggled with a "weak" chin, augmentation will likely give your self-esteem a meaningful boost.
Can I See My Results Before Surgery?
Prepare to get really excited about the change chin augmentation can bring about for you! Through computer imaging, Dr. Mabrie can show you what your new chin will look like before you make your decisions. When you come in for a consultation, Dr. Mabrie will listen to your goals, then take digital photographs of your face from several angles. You and he will look at the images together on the computer, and he'll show you what an augmented chin will do for the overall look of your face. Chances are, you'll see the profile you've always wished you had right there on Dr. Mabrie's computer screen.
Click to find out how to Preview the New You.
How Is Chin Augmentation Performed?
Dr. Mabrie uses chin implants to strengthen the chin and bring it into better harmony with the rest of your face. Chin implants have a good record for safety and patient satisfaction.
The first step is to decide what size implant to use. This begins in the office with the computer imaging program that lets you try different looks before you choose. Then during surgery, with the computer graphic images generated from your consultation as a reference, a small incision is made under your chin. Dr. Mabrie performs chin augmentation with this small incision under the chin instead of using an incision inside the mouth because it decreases the risk of infection. The implant is placed and secured with a few stitches.
The chin implant (shown in blue) is placed against the jaw. It's contoured to gradually taper so the implant gives a natural appearing augmentation and is unlikely to move.
Dr. Mabrie performs chin augmentation in San Francisco and the East Bay in the hospital setting. He does most San Francisco plastic surgery procedures at California Pacific Medical Center. In the East Bay, Dr. Mabrie performs chin augmentations at Doctors' Medical Center in San Pablo and Canyon Surgery Center. The procedure takes between 60 and 90 minutes.
Chin augmentation entails few risks, but Dr. Mabrie will ensure you're aware of possible risks and complications as you plan your procedure.
San Francisco facial plastic surgeon Dr. David Mabrie performs chin augmentation surgery with silastic implants of different sizes and shapes depending on the shape of the patients' face and the amount of augmentation required.
Chin Augmentation Recovery
| Bandages | Suture Removal | Restaurant Ready* | 75% | 100% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-4 days | 5-7 days | 7-10 days | 3-4 weeks | 2-3 months |
*Restaurant ready means you are ready to debut the new you! |
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What Is the Recovery Like?
After the surgery Dr. Mabrie will place a small bandage over your chin. He'll remove it two to four days later. You will return home the day of your surgery but you'll need to wait to resume normal activities until a week later. You'll need to avoid strenuous exercise for three weeks and contact sports for six weeks.
While your discomfort should be minimal and easily kept at bay with medication, you may have some trouble chewing at first. You'll want to plan to eat soft foods for about a week. After several weeks, you won't be able to feel the implant at all because it assumes the consistency and feel of your own tissue.
What Are the Next Steps?
The best way to get started is to come in for a consultation and computer imaging session with Dr. Mabrie. He will show you what results are possible for you and give you the information you need to make decisions.
If you have questions you'd like to discuss with a knowledgeable staff member before your consultation, please call our patient coordinator, Susan Cole, at 866-360-FACE, or send us an email. Susan can address many of your questions, assist with financing, and schedule your appointment.
We look forward to working with you!
