Facial Implants in La Jolla

Facial implants offer a personalized path to refined contours and enhanced features, accentuating your unique beauty.

Facial Implants Overview

What Are Facial Implants?

Facial implants are a cosmetic enhancement option involving the insertion of solid, biocompatible materials into specific facial areas to augment contours and create a more balanced and harmonious appearance. This technique is commonly used for features such as the chin, cheeks, or jawline, achieving natural-looking results that enhance facial symmetry and proportions.

Facial Implants Before & After

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Am I a Good Candidate for Facial Implants?

Facial implants are ideal for healthy adults seeking permanent structural definition and balanced facial proportions. You may be an excellent candidate if you experience one or more of the following:

Weak Chin Projection: A receding chin can make the neck look aged and the nose appear overly prominent. An implant strengthens the jawline and restores profile balance.
Midface Volume Loss: Flat or hollow cheekbones create a tired appearance. Cheek implants restore youthful contours and elevate the midface structure.
Facial Asymmetry: Implants correct natural structural imbalances or contour unevenness caused by prior trauma.
Filler Fatigue: Offers a permanent, one-time alternative to continuous, expensive dermal filler injections.
Candidates should have fully developed facial bones (ages 18+), be non-smokers, and maintain realistic goals.

During your La Jolla consultation, Dr. Bolitho will evaluate your underlying bone structure to confirm if implants are your best option.

Facial Implants: Dr. Bolitho's Artistry in Transformation

In his pursuit of artful transformation for clients, Dr. Bolitho's reputation is synonymous with technical excellence and remarkable results:

Over 30 years of experience in plastic surgery
Board-certified in plastic surgery four times over
Board-certified anesthesiologists ensuring safety and comfort
Operating suite meeting rigorous national standards
Focused on delivering beautiful, natural-looking results

Facial Implants vs. Dermal Fillers: Permanent vs. Temporary

While hyaluronic acid dermal fillers offer a quick, non-surgical option for facial volume, they only provide temporary results and soft-tissue plumpness. Facial implants offer a structural, permanent transformation.

Feature	Facial Implants (Chin, Cheek, Jaw)	Dermal Fillers
Duration	Permanent (One-time procedure)	Temporary (Requires touch-ups every 6–18 months)
Result Type	Crisp, bone-like structural definition	Soft-tissue volume expansion
Cost Efficiency	High long-term value; no recurring fees	High cumulative cost over time
Best For	Weak bone structure, severe asymmetry, and distinct projection	Subtle tweaks, soft volume loss, temporary trial

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Types of Facial Implants

Facial implants offer tailored enhancement for specific facial features, creating a harmonious and balanced appearance. Explore the options below:

Cheek Implants: Enhance cheekbone definition and add youthful fullness to the midface, achieving a more sculpted and rejuvenated look.
Chin Implants: Augment the chin to improve facial proportions, create a stronger profile, and enhance overall facial harmony.
Jaw Implants: Sculpt a more defined and contoured jawline, adding angularity and structure for a refined and confident facial aesthetic.

Are You Considering Facial Implants?

This technique offers a transformative solution for individuals seeking to achieve enhanced facial symmetry and proportion. Whether it's augmenting cheekbones, defining the chin, or sculpting the jawline, these implants create a balanced and harmonious appearance that can boost self-confidence and create a more aesthetically pleasing facial profile.

About Your Facial Implant Procedure

After a detailed consultation with Dr. Bolitho to ensure your questions are answered, he meticulously plans out a tailor-made procedure to get your desired results. Once you are ready for surgery, he conducts the following steps:

Anesthesia: You'll receive anesthesia to ensure a comfortable experience during the procedure.
Incision: Small incisions are made in inconspicuous areas, often within the mouth or along natural facial creases.
Implant Placement: The chosen implant is carefully positioned and secured within the targeted facial area.
Incision Closure: Sutures or clips are used to close the incisions, contributing to minimal scarring.
Recovery: Initial swelling and discomfort are common but diminish over a few weeks. Full healing and implant settling may take a few months.
Follow-up: Regular postoperative appointments allow Dr. Bolitho to monitor your progress and ensure optimal results.

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Facial Implants Recovery & Results: What to Expect

Facial implant surgery is an outpatient procedure performed under the care of a board-certified anesthesiologist at our La Jolla surgical center. Dr. Bolitho makes incisions in discreet areas, such as inside the mouth or under the natural crease of the chin, leaving no visible external scarring.

First 48–72 Hours:

Mild swelling, tightness, and bruising are normal. Cold compresses and prescribed medication manage any discomfort.

Days 5–7:

Most patients feel comfortable resuming light daily activities and returning to work. Sutures placed inside the mouth dissolve naturally.

Weeks 2–4:

Most of the swelling resolves, revealing your enhanced facial contours. Strenuous exercise can typically be resumed after 3–4 weeks.

Final Results:

As minor swelling subsides over 2–3 months, the implants integrate seamlessly with your bone structure, delivering a natural, lifetime profile harmony.

Why Choose Dr. Bolitho for Facial Implant Surgery in La Jolla?

Choosing a surgeon for structural facial implants requires an expert who combines precise surgical skill with a deep understanding of facial anatomy. Patients throughout San Diego County trust Dr. Glynn Bolitho for facial contouring for several key reasons:

Quadruple Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon: Dr. Bolitho holds four separate plastic surgery board certifications across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Africa—a rare level of credentialing reflecting over 30 years of surgical experience.
Personalized Facial Planning: Dr. Bolitho evaluates your underlying bone structure, skin thickness, and profile proportions to ensure your chin, cheek, or jaw implants look natural and balanced.
Uncompromising Patient Safety: All implant procedures are performed in an accredited surgical suite staffed by board-certified anesthesiologists and maintained to hospital-grade safety standards.
Unhurried Consultations: Dr. Bolitho takes the time needed to answer every question, explain incision placements, and align on your exact aesthetic goals.

Find Out If Facial Implants
Will Get You the Results You Want

Experience the artistry of facial implant surgery, guided by Dr. Bolitho's expertise in achieving your desired facial enhancements. Contact our La Jolla offices to schedule a consultation where Dr. Bolitho will sit down with you and help you decide if this is the best option for you.

Facial Implants FAQ

What Materials Are Used for Facial Implants?

Facial implants are typically made from biocompatible materials such as silicone, polyethylene, or medpor. These materials are safe for long-term use in the body and are specifically chosen for their ability to provide natural-looking results while being durable and stable over time.

How Can Facial Implants Improve Facial Symmetry?

Facial implants help enhance and restore balance to facial features by adding definition to the chin, cheeks, or jawline. By creating more proportionate contours, implants improve overall facial symmetry, leading to a more harmonious and youthful appearance.

Are There Non-Surgical Alternatives to Facial Implants?

While facial implants offer permanent enhancements, there are non-surgical options like dermal fillers or fat grafting that can achieve temporary results. These alternatives are suitable for individuals who want subtle changes or are not ready for surgical interventions but may require touch-ups over time.

How much do facial implants cost in La Jolla?

Facial implant costs vary depending on the implant type (chin, cheek, or jaw), the selected biocompatible material, and whether the procedure is combined with complementary treatments like neck liposuction or a facelift. You will receive a complete, itemized quote during your consultation at our La Jolla office.

Are facial implants permanent?

Yes. Unlike dermal fillers that require reinjection every 6–18 months, solid biocompatible implants (such as solid silicone or Medpor) provide permanent structural enhancement. They do not break down over time and can be removed or replaced if desired.

Where are the incisions placed for chin and cheek implants?

Incision placement is designed to be virtually invisible. Chin implants are typically placed through a small, discrete incision under the chin or inside the lower lip. Cheek implants are usually inserted through intraoral incisions inside the upper lip, leaving zero external facial scarring.