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Facial contouring is a breakthrough method in the world of plastic surgery. It was Korean doctors who introduced it into the world of aesthetic medicine around 15 years ago, and now it is popular like never before. Facial contouring allows for previously impossible transformations in appearance. Through small incisions on the inside of the mouth, they can reshape the bone structure, dramatically changing face line while leaving no visible scars.
The purpose of facial surgery is achieving facial symmetry while preserving each person’s unique features. Small adjustments in key spots can re-balance the whole appearance, bring out the inherent beauty and improve the overall attractiveness.
Female patients usually choose to undergo surgery in order to get softer, narrower, more feminine facial features. Men seek an opposite result — a broader, more robust, masculine look. This is also the reason why facial contouring is often included in the gender reassignment procedure pack.
As the method was developed in Korea, a lot of its “classical” techniques were created in response to Asian beauty standards to treat typically Asian facial issues. For example, a narrow “v-shaped” jawline is the goal for Korean women, many of whom have “square jaws”. Europe-centric beauty ideals allow for more defined and angular looks. For people from western countries, bone contouring and face implants are commonly used, while for people from oriental countries, skeletal reduction is more standard.
Sometimes facial contouring treats age-related skin sagging.
The main imperfections people seek to fix through facial contouring surgery:
Bone surgery is not performed on patients under 17 and over 60 years old, as the bone tissue is not fit for such procedure.
The secret to successful surgery is thorough preparation. This is the most reliable way to prevent unwanted side effects.
The first essential step is an interview with the surgeon. The patient discusses what aspects of their face they want to change, and the doctor informs them of possible solutions. You can ask to view the pictures of the attending surgeon’s previous patients. This is a good way to both establish realistic expectations and confirm that this is the professional you want to work with. Specialists offer 3D computer modeling to create a general impression of what the new features will look like on the patient’s face.
The initial interview is very detailed, as it is detrimental for the surgeon and the patient to agree upon the goals. Often, it is not limited to a single meeting. By the time of the operation, the patient will be well acquainted with the whole attending team. The following examination involves both the physical study of the person’s face and various lab tests, that can take up to 50 items. The most important are X-Rays and CT scans. Using them, the doctor discovers the precise bone-muscle structure of the patient’s face. Based on this information, the medical team will create a surgery plan.
Every facial contouring surgery is unique as it requires individual solutions for the set goals. While jaw bone reshaping is often the foremost aspect that patients want to change, the procedure usually comes in a packet with other facial operations. Usually, the focus is on the jawline, forehead, cheekbones, and nose. The surgery is customized from a varied range of surgical techniques, the most popular of which are:
A group of methods of surgical (and sometimes non-surgical) methods of reducing the size and shape of jawline by removing part of bone or muscle tissue. Often comes in the form of “V-line surgery” — a popular Korean procedure that creates a narrow, v-shaped jawline. Incisions are made through the inside of the mouth or between the gum and inner cheek, which allows access to most parts of the face without leaving visible scars.
Reshaping of cheekbones. The cuts are done from inside the mouth and behind the hairline, leaving no visible scars.
Used to fix a protruding jaw or an overbite. It consists of several techniques where a jaw bone is cut and fixed in a new position with the help of screws, pins, wires or plates.
They are inserted under the skin in order to add volume and enhance facial features. Usually used on chin, cheeks or lower jaw. The implant materials are of organic (human-based) or synthetic (silicone, polythene) origin.
Removes facial fat — usually from cheeks, chin, jawline, and neckline. The location of the incisions depends on the area that is being treated and the method that the surgeon uses. Professionals strive for leaving smaller and well-hidden scars. Liposuction has a great rejuvenating effect.
A common anti-aging procedure. Involves pulling back of the skin to return the contour and youthfulness to the face.
Relocates the hair-bearing tissue lower down the head. This creates a smaller, more feminine forehead. The hair regrowth masks the scars.
A surgical or non-surgical change in size or shape of the nose. Depending on the type of rhinoplasty performed, the incisions can be hidden within the nostrils, or leave a small scar on the tip of the nose. In the latter case, a scar revision surgery can mask the scar in several months after the rhinoplasty.
Because of this complexity, facial contouring surgery can take from 2,5 to 5 hours to do. It is performed under full general anesthesia.
Each patient is provided with a recovery recommendations manual by their attending physician.
Usually, it is advised to remain in the hospital for a day or two to allow for observation and aftercare. In some cases (e.g. cheekbone surgery), it is possible to be discharged on the same day.
As the level of surgical involvement varies hugely, so does the recovery. People who underwent jaw contouring will face difficulty in mouth movement for the first several weeks. Others may be able to resume normal activities in 2-3 days. If non-absorbable stitches were used, the patient will need to return to the hospital in 2 weeks for their removal.
Major swelling usually passes in a month, and full recovery is possible in three months. The final results will be visible in 6-12 months. Prescribed drugs fasten the healing and recovery of the tissue.
It is recommended to avoid hot and spicy food during the recovery process to avoid scar irritation. Frequent mouth washing is also important. Other ways for the patient to help their recovery involve special mouth exercises. It fastens the nerve and tissue healing and helps widen the jaw. You can start doing them after two weeks post-surgery.
As Korea was the country to invent the procedure, it remains the biggest specialist on the matter. Medical tourists all over the world choose Korean surgeons over others because of their superior experience in the field of plastic surgery and readiness to perform the most ambitious operations.
An estimated cost of different procedures of the facial contouring surgery package in Korea is as follows:
| Procedure | Cost |
| V line surgery | from $8,600 |
| Two jaw surgery | from $17,000 |
| Square jaw/cheekbone reduction/Mini V-line | from $21,400 |
| Eye browbone shaving | from $5,000 |
| Face implants | from $2,500 to $4,000 |
| Face liposuction | from $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Face lifting | from $2,000 to $13,000 |
| Rhinoplasty | from $1,700 to $4,200 |
As Korea is the world leader in jaw surgery, most advanced and challenging surgeries are made there. Oral surgeons in other countries like Turkey can also perform jaw and cheekbone contouring, and the quality of other bundled procedures like rhinoplasty is on the international level.
JK Plastic (Seoul, Korea). One of the most popular aesthetic medicine centers in the country. Received over 15 awards, international certificates and has 100% success reputation since 1998.
ID Hospital (Seoul, Korea). An innovative medical center specialising in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. The only clinic in Korea to receive national certificate from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
Estetik International (Istanbul, Turkey). The largest plastic and aesthetic surgery network in the country. Has 8 certificates and offers unique in the whole world beauty procedures for its clients.
To find out more about facial contouring surgery abroad, receive help with traveling accommodations, selection of the hospital and the surgeon, contact your MediGlobus coordinator.
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