When your chin sits in better balance with the rest of your face, the jawline often looks cleaner and your profile more harmonious, in a way that still looks like you.
Sliding genioplasty moves the chin bone itself, rather than placing an implant on top of the bone. For that reason, it suits people who want to change the position of the bone — bringing the chin forward, setting it back, raising it, or shifting it sideways — more than simply adding volume. A consultation helps your surgeon decide whether this is the right choice for you.
Everything begins with a consultation. Your surgeon listens to what is on your mind, examines your face and your bite, and may take an X-ray to see the chin bone and the position of the nerve clearly. From there, your surgeon discusses which direction to move the bone and by how much, and is honest about what the surgery can and cannot do in your case.
The surgery is usually carried out under general anaesthesia, or local anaesthesia combined with sedation. The incision is normally made inside the mouth, in the fold of the lower lip, so it leaves no scar on the skin of your face. Through this opening, your surgeon exposes the chin bone.
Your surgeon uses specialised instruments to cut a segment of the chin bone (this is called an osteotomy), then moves that segment to the position you agreed on: forward, back, up, or shifted to centre it. The bone segment is held in place with small specialised plates and screws so it stays in the right position while it heals. The incision inside the mouth is then closed, usually with dissolvable stitches.
The whole operation usually takes around 1 to 2 hours, depending on how much correction is needed. You may be monitored in hospital for a time afterwards; whether you stay overnight depends on the type of anaesthesia and your condition.
Sliding genioplasty aims to improve the position and balance of the chin within your face as a whole. The goal is a result that looks harmonious and suits you, not a fixed mould. There are things this procedure does not set out to do, and saying so plainly from the start should help you feel more settled.
Recovery happens in stages, and it is different for everyone. Because this is surgery on the bone, swelling and a feeling of tightness are common in the first few days, then ease over time. The points below are rough estimates to help you picture the path, not exact figures for you alone.
Every surgery carries risk, and you deserve to hear it straight. Most of these problems do not happen to most people, but you should know about them so you can weigh your decision and spot them early if they do arise. Your surgeon will talk through the specifics for your situation.
At The Gioi Dep, surgery on the chin bone starts with a careful examination and plan. The surgeons assess your face, your bite, and the position of the nerve before discussing which way to move the bone, so the plan fits your real structure rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all mould.
Because this is surgery under anaesthesia that affects the bone, the surgeons talk openly with you about the choice of anaesthesia, how the bone is held in place, and the follow-up afterwards. You are guided on how to care for the incision inside your mouth, what to eat, when to come back for review, and how to reach the team when you need to.
During surgery you feel no pain, thanks to the anaesthesia. Afterwards, what you usually feel is tightness, swelling, and an aching around the chin, rather than severe pain; pain relief taken as prescribed helps keep this under control. The discomfort eases over the first few days.
The incision is normally made inside the mouth, in the fold of the lower lip, so it leaves no visible scar on the skin of your face. There are stitches inside the mouth, usually dissolvable, and these heal over time. Your surgeon will explain this carefully during your consultation.
Many people consider returning to office work after around 1 to 2 weeks, once the swelling has eased and they feel comfortable. Heavier work, or work where the face could be knocked, usually needs longer. This is a rough estimate, not a fixed figure.
The goal is to rebalance your own chin within your face as a whole, so your profile looks more harmonious while still looking like you. Because it moves the bone itself, the change is tied to your real structure. No one can promise a specific result, and results vary from person to person.
Numbness or a change in sensation in the chin and lower lip is fairly common after surgery, because of the nerve that runs near this area. Most of it improves over a few weeks to a few months, but it can sometimes last longer or not fully recover. You should talk this through with your surgeon.
A chin implant places a piece of material on the bone to add volume. Sliding genioplasty cuts and moves the chin bone itself, so it can correct the direction too — forward, back, up, down, or sideways. Depending on your goals and your structure, your surgeon will advise which option suits you better.
What matters is your general health and the state of your bone, more than the number of your age. Your surgeon and the anaesthetist will assess you before surgery to see whether it is safe for you. Please share your full medical history during the consultation.
Because the incision is inside the mouth, in the first few days you will usually eat soft or liquid food and keep your mouth clean gently, following the guidance you are given. You gradually return to eating normally as the wound settles.
Swelling eases noticeably over the first few weeks, but the contours keep settling over a few months. The bone usually heals and settles over around 6 months to 1 year, and that is when the result comes close to its final shape.
The small plates and screws hold the bone in the right position while it heals, and they are usually left in place for the long term. Only in some cases is a further procedure needed. Your surgeon will explain the specific plan for you.
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The content on this page is for reference only and does not replace a direct examination and consultation with a specialist physician. Surgical outcomes vary from person to person.