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Purpose: To fill out hollow temples and soften the bony/skeletal look that occurs genetically, or with aging.
Incision: Located in the hair above the ear, between ½ and 1-inch long.
Anesthesia: Local anesthesia or local anesthesia plus IV sedation.
Recovery: Depends on the patient.
Typically very minimal outward signs of healing. Usually patients do not bruise or have noticeable swelling, though it is possible.
Cost: $$$*
Overview:
The primary goal of temple implants is to fill and soften the hollowing
of the temples that can occur as you age, or due to your genetics. The
implant itself is soft like a “gummy bear” and simulates the
look and feel of muscle. If you run your fingers over your temples and
press, it should not feel appreciably different than a temple that has
no implant. This procedure can be done on its own or combined with other
surgery techniques, such as
facelift or
eyelid surgery.
Approach:
The temple implant is placed by making an incision behind the temple hairline
above the ear. The incision itself is about ½ inch long, but it
may be up to 1-inch long. Hair is not shaved, it is simply parted along
the incision line during surgery. The incision is closed with sutures
at the end of the procedure, not staples. The implant itself is placed
directly on top of the temporalis muscle, which is one of the muscles
used to chew. There is a natural layer on top of this muscle that, once
entered, requires no cutting. It is simply “swept” open. This
is a natural layering, so opening it for placement of the implant creates
minimal trauma, which is the reason there is typically no bruising and
almost no swelling.
Before & After Photos:
Anesthesia Options:
Patients are able to choose between local anesthesia only, or intravenous
(IV) sedation for their procedure. Local anesthesia involves around 10
seconds of pain as the anesthetic reaches the tissues. The advantage to
local anesthesia — alone or in combination with a “valium”
pill — is the minimal recovery from anesthesia after the cosmetic
procedure ends. Another advantage to local anesthesia is that a patient
is awake and able to view different size implant test fittings during
the procedure using a mirror. On the other hand, IV sedation allows the
patient to sleep throughout the entire procedure for an anxiety-free and
pain-free experience.
Recovery:
After surgery, a dressing is placed around the patient’s head. It
does not cover the patient’s eyes, nose, or mouth, allowing them
to see, talk, and eat. The head dressing is removed the day after the
procedure, and a member of our team will shampoo the patient’s hair
and give instructions for tending to the incisions. A drain is used in
recovery for one night after the surgery.
This procedure rarely results in extensive pain. However, some patients
find the snug head dressing a bit uncomfortable. Patients wear an elastic
band for 4 days following the procedure, which can be removed while bathing.
Activity after the surgery is limited. Patients may move about at will but should abstain from any sort of strenuous activity. Eventually, patients can slowly begin to participate in activities that involve the pulling of the neck and shoulder area, such as tennis, golf, weight lifting, etc. Driving should be limited, as it requires excessive neck movement.
The incision lines are visible for the first few months but can be disguised with makeup. Patients typically experience numbness in the cheek and neck area that can last for several months. While subtle swelling can persist for about six months, the bulk of the swelling will subside within six weeks.
Risks that could potentially occur with this surgery include:
*Price:
$ = less than $2,000
$$ = $2,000 – $4,000
$$$ = $4,000 – $8,000
$$$$ = more than $8,000