Complications

Psychological
The main psychological complication is that, despite a new appearance that lives up to the defined aesthetic principles, the patient is still unhappy with the result. The cause of this is often that the face has changed so much that the patient no longer recognizes himself or herself in the mirror. Reactions of friends and family can also play a part in this. This reaction is more frequent the older the patient is.
Another possible complication is that the aesthetic result isn?t what the patient had expected. One of the reasons for putting together this website is to provide patients with better insight into what they can expect.

Physical

In some cases (about 5% of all cases), patients report a permanent loss of sensation on one side of the lower lip and chin. The nerve responsible for sensation in that area (the inferior alveolar nerve) runs through the lower jaw, and can easily be damaged during the operation. Sensation in the area may return in the 6 months following the operation. In the 1 or 2 years after that, the patient may report definite improvements in sensation, but these improvements are generally a result of habituation.

Ultimately, most patients are barely aware of the fact that they lack feeling in one half of the lower lip and chin. The older the patient, however, the greater the chance that this loss of sensation will be experienced as unpleasant. Far more common is the decreased sensitivity of one or both halves of the lower lip and chin. In the long term, this is practically never experienced as a problem. However, this is not true for those people who play wind instruments. They must realize the serious negative effects such an operation may have on their hobby/profession. There is also always the risk of damage to teeth and/or molars caused by a drill or saw during the operation.

Other complications, such as dull sensations elsewhere in the face or mouth, jaw joint pain, limited mouth opening and wound healing problems are of a transitory nature.

Finally, there are the (very rare) complications associated with any operative procedure performed under general anesthesia.