The method must be tailored to the individual patient needs. The principal is to create a pocket at the chin and place an implant into the pocket.

The implants are of two main types. Solid implants, which are usually made of silicone and porous implants, which are usually made of polyethylene.

The most fundamental difference between them is in how the body responds. Solid implants are walled off by a layer of tissue called a capsule. The porous implants are fixed by surrounding tissue growing into them.

One of the disadvantages of the solid implant is that it can move around or migrate. This does not happen with porous implants which are fixed in one place. This has several advantages. In the first place they do not droop or become ptotic. Secondly they are less likely to cause erosion or resorption the underlying bone.

Infection is no more common with a porous implant. Both implants can be cut to shape but the silicone is probably a little easier to carve.

The main disadvantages of the porous implants are that they are more expensive and more difficult to place than silicone. This usually means a larger incision. The implant must be directly positioned rather than squeezed or pushed into place.

The incision may be placed in the crease lines under the chin or in the mouth. Some patients need more extensive surgery to re-position the bone of the chin. It is not unusual to combine this operation with a nose operation to improve the facial profile.

The recovery takes one to two weeks. Most people are back to work within a week.