LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

HI Dr Lam,

I had a chin implant and Rhinoplasty on the 16th of August. I have had no pain or discomfort with my Rhinoplasty but now after 20 days I am still experiencing discomfort and numbness in my chin area and bottom lower lip and would appreciate your opinion on if this is normal? I feel like my bottom lip is slightly swollen on my left side though looking at my face in the mirror there is no signs of swelling. My chin implant was done from inside the mouth and I have no signs of infection. I can still see the dissolvable stitches inside my mouth. There is still discomfort if I try and open my mouth widely or to pucker my lips. I had researched this operation prior to my surgery and read that it takes up to a month for the nerve endings to recovery, could this be the reason I feel this way. The numbness has slowly returned a little but I feel like my bottom lip is tender. I am still using mouth wash several times a day and use an ice compact at night and don't seem to have any swelling. I am also still being extremely cautious to eat a soft diet but often find it difficult to still chew and use my back teeth to chew. I would really appreciate your opinion. Thank you.

numbness after a chin implant is common and normal in most cases. however, if you don't know already i make it a point not to comment on a patient's recovery process if he is not my patient because it interferes with the care by the primary surgeon and it is not safe for me to comment on another person's recovery when he or she is still under the care of another treating physician. please go back and ask your physician those questions. sorry about that.
best,
sml

Hi Dr Lam,

I have asked my surgeon about this, and he informed me that he was sorry that I was feeling this way but to be patient. My surgery was in Malaysia and I had my last post operative consultation 10 days after surgery before leaving Malaysia but am no longer there so I was just looking for a 2nd opinion.

No problem. Sorry that I can't do that.

hello dr. lam, i'm inquiring about the recovery process. i live in southern california and would be flying to see you. would there be any risk of the implant shifting etc if i were to fly home two days later? altitude, etc? i can't stay a total of 15 days in texas. and i guess would have to fly back to get the stiches removed? maybe get them removed by my family dr? i know this a lot more work than it should be, as there are many qualified drs in southern california. however, no one has taken the time to explain things like you have in your videos. it would be worth it! i am still waiting on a price quote, however- i cant afford the high end of the spectrum (i am paying cash)

i'm done rambling. thanks for your time.
-amanda

hi,
thanks for your trust in me. i have responded to your question regarding ballpark price on youtube if you are the one who sent me that question. i do not believe you would have a problem flying back 2 days later so long as you were not involved in a major accident on the way back the implant would not shift. yes, someone can remove sutures back in california.
best,
sml