Chin and Cheek Surgery in Edinburgh

The chin plays an integral part in the overall balance of our facial features, particularly our profile. For example, a weak chin can make a normal nose appear large, and an already prominent nose seem even more significant. On the other hand, a prominent chin may give the appearance of having too small a nose or otherwise throwing the face off balance.

The most commonly performed chin procedure (mentoplasty) in our practice is chin augmentation. We have been using silicone implants for over 20 years with little in the way of adverse effects. The procedure is relatively straightforward and produces immediate and effective results. The implant is placed via a small cut between the junction of the lower lip and the lower teeth so there is no visible scar. The main risks of the procedure are infection, implant malposition or extrusion.

Many of our patients have chin augmentation combined with rhinoplasty, but some will have the procedure in isolation (because they have an otherwise normal nose).

Prominent, full cheeks give a youthful, healthy appearance, and you can see examples in our before and after gallery. Prominent, full cheeks give us a youthful, healthy appearance. The ageing process results in loss of cheek volume (flattening) and descent (ptosis) of the cheek. Volume loss can make a face appear drawn and gaunt. It may give the appearance of heaviness in the lower face and an aged look.

There are surgical or non-surgical ways to augment a cheek. For non-surgical enhancement, we use non-permanent fillers, which will give an instant correction lasting 6-12 months. Surgical improvement of the cheeks in our practice is achieved with autologous fat injection. It is one of our practice’s most commonly performed surgical procedures and can be performed in conjunction with other procedures (most commonly eyelid and facelift surgery). As mentioned elsewhere, some loss of fat cells can occur, and the process may need to be repeated at some point in the future.

Yes. Mr Awf Quaba assesses you at consultation, plans your surgery, performs it at Waterfront Private Hospital and reviews you afterwards. There are no handovers between surgeons.

A nurse reviews you at one week, and more often if needed in the early healing period. Your consultant sees you again at around six months once the result has settled. Between then, your consultant is always available – if anything concerns you, they will respond directly and arrange to see you as soon as needed.

A chin implant starts from £4,950 under local anaesthesia or £5,700 under general anaesthesia at Waterfront Private Hospital. Cheek fat transfer starts from £3,950 under local anaesthesia or £4,900 under general anaesthesia. Prices cover the surgeon’s fee, the anaesthetist’s fee where applicable, the hospital and theatre fee, and all post-operative reviews. A consultation with a consultant plastic surgeon is £200.

Chin augmentation (mentoplasty) enhances the shape and projection of the chin to improve facial balance. A silicone chin implant gives a long-lasting correction, placed through a small incision inside the mouth with no visible scar. Dermal fillers offer a non-surgical alternative.

Cheek augmentation adds volume and definition to the cheeks. Fat transfer uses your own tissue for a natural, longer-lasting result; dermal fillers give an instant correction that lasts 6 to 12 months.

At consultation, Mr Awf Quaba assesses your facial proportions and recommends an implant, fillers or fat transfer based on what you want to change and how lasting you want the result to be. Where you are undecided, a non-permanent filler can preview the effect of surgery.

A chin implant takes about an hour under local or general anaesthesia. Fat transfer to the cheeks also takes around an hour. Filler treatment of the chin or cheeks takes 20 to 30 minutes.

Chin implants are long-lasting. Fat transfer is semi-permanent: some of the injected fat is absorbed over the first six months, and the fat that survives is permanent living tissue. Fillers last 6 to 18 months depending on the product used.

Chin implants and fat transfer are performed under local or general anaesthesia. Filler treatment involves only mild discomfort and uses numbing cream. After surgery, discomfort is mild and settles within days.

Yes. Treating both areas together often gives a more balanced result, and chin augmentation is commonly combined with rhinoplasty. Your consultant will advise on combinations at consultation.