Plastic surgery restores form and function through reconstructive procedures, cosmetic enhancements, and body contouring.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
The consultation is the foundation of any journey to correct asymmetry. It is a comprehensive medical and aesthetic evaluation in which the surgeon serves as both an architect and a physician. The primary goal is to identify the specific anatomical components contributing to the imbalance.
The surgeon will listen to the patient’s concerns, often asking them to point out specifically what bothers them in a mirror. This subjective assessment is then compared with the clinical objective findings. This gap analysis ensures that the surgical plan addresses the patient’s actual perceptions.
Modern consultation relies heavily on technology. Standard 2D photography is essential, but 3D imaging (such as Vectra or Crisalix) allows the surgeon to rotate the patient’s digital avatar and analyze the asymmetry from every angle. This objective data helps quantify volume differences in milliliters.
For skeletal asymmetry, a CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scan is often required. This provides a 3D X-ray of the skull, revealing precise deviations in the jaw, cheekbones, and orbits. This data is crucial for planning osteotomies or designing custom implants.
For cases involving bone movement or custom implants, Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) is utilized. The surgeon uploads the patient’s CT scan into specialized software and performs the surgery virtually. They can cut bones, move jaws, and place implants on the screen to see the result.
This generates a precise surgical guide. These guides are 3D-printed and used during the actual surgery to tell the surgeon exactly where to cut and where to place screws. This level of preparation reduces surgical time and significantly increases accuracy.
A thorough medical history is taken to ensure safety. The surgeon reviews past surgeries, facial trauma, dental history, and current medications. Conditions that affect bone healing or blood clotting are carefully evaluated.
Smoking is a significant risk factor. Patients must be nicotine-free to ensure proper healing, especially for procedures involving bone grafts or skin flaps. The surgeon will also screen for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) to ensure the patient has realistic expectations and a healthy psychological outlook.
For jaw asymmetry, a dental exam is critical. The surgeon evaluates the bite (occlusal relationship) to determine whether the teeth fit together correctly. Often, facial asymmetry is associated with a dental crossbite or an open bite.
If the bite is involved, the patient will need to see an orthodontist. The treatment plan often involves pre-surgical braces to align the teeth (decompensation) so that when the surgeon moves the jaws, the teeth lock together perfectly. This interdisciplinary coordination is vital.
Correcting facial asymmetry can be a transformative experience, but it also changes the face the patient sees in the mirror every day. The consultation assesses the patient’s readiness for this change. The goal is improvement, not perfection, and understanding this distinction is key.
The surgeon discusses the emotional rollercoaster of recovery the swelling, the temporary distortion, and the patience required. Preparing the patient mentally is just as important as preparing them physically. Support systems at home are verified.
To ensure the best possible healing, patients are guided in optimizing their health. This includes a nutrient-rich diet high in protein and vitamins to support tissue repair. Supplements that increase bleeding risk (such as fish oil, Vitamin E, and NSAIDs) are discontinued weeks in advance.
Skin health is also addressed. Patients may be placed on a skincare regimen to optimize the quality of their skin before surgery. For smokers, a strict cessation protocol is enforced, often confirmed with urine testing, to prevent complications like skin necrosis or infection.
Asymmetry correction can be complex and sometimes involves multiple stages. The consultation includes a transparent discussion of costs, including anesthesia, facility fees, and any implants. Insurance may cover aspects of the surgery if there is a functional impairment (such as jaw pain or breathing issues) and it is verified.
Logistical planning involves scheduling recovery time off work, arranging for caregivers, and planning transportation. For patients traveling for surgery, accommodation and follow-up schedules are organized.
The surgeon assesses the quality of the skin and soft tissue envelope. Is the skin thick or thin? Is there significant laxity? This determines whether the skin will redrape nicely over the new bone structure or if a lift will be required.
The surgeon palpates the muscles to check for hypertrophy (enlargement) or atrophy. This helps determine whether muscle reduction (e.g., trimming the masseter) or augmentation is needed in addition to the skeletal work.
At the end of the preparation phase, a final surgical plan is agreed upon. This blueprint details the exact procedures, incision sites, type of anesthesia, and expected recovery timeline.
The patient signs informed consent documents, acknowledging the risks and benefits. Pre-operative photos are taken as a baseline. This final check ensures that both patient and surgeon are perfectly aligned before entering the operating room.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
If your asymmetry involves your jaw or bite, a referral from a dentist or orthodontist is very helpful. It provides the surgeon with valuable X-rays and dental history. However, you can also start with the plastic surgeon, who will refer you out if needed.
Insurance typically does not cover surgery for purely cosmetic asymmetry. However, if the asymmetry is causing functional problems such as sleep apnea, TMJ pain, difficulty chewing, or vision obstruction parts of the procedure (such as orthognathic surgery or blepharoplasty) may be covered.
3D simulations are very accurate for skeletal changes (like moving a chin). They are slightly less predictable for soft-tissue changes (such as a facelift or fat grafting) because swelling and skin elasticity vary. Think of it as an excellent estimate, not a guarantee.
That is perfectly fine. The consultation is for information gathering. You can discuss non-surgical options like fillers or Botox to manage the asymmetry temporarily while you decide if surgery is right for you in the future.
Yes, combining procedures is very common to ensure harmony. For example, doing a chin implant and rhinoplasty together (profiloplasty) often yields a better-balanced result than doing them separately. Your surgeon will determine which combination is safe.
Your Comparison List (you must select at least 2 packages)
