What is a Dimpleplasty?

Dimpleplasty is a cosmetic surgery designed to create dimples on the cheeks. Dimples are indentations that appear when some people smile, typically located on the lower cheeks, though some individuals may have chin dimples. While dimples can be naturally occurring due to indentations in the dermis caused by deeper facial muscles, they can also be created surgically.

Dimples are often seen as a sign of beauty, good luck, and fortune in various cultures, leading to an increase in dimple surgeries in recent years.

How to Prepare

When considering a dimpleplasty, finding an experienced surgeon is crucial. While some dermatologists are trained in this procedure, you might need to consult a facial plastic surgeon.

Schedule an initial consultation to discuss the risks and benefits of dimple surgery and to determine if you are a suitable candidate. During this appointment, you’ll also decide on the placement of the dimples.

Surgical Steps

Dimpleplasty is an outpatient procedure, often performed in the surgeon’s office without the need for general anesthesia.

1. Anesthesia: A topical anesthetic, such as lidocaine, is applied to the area to prevent pain during the surgery. This takes about 10 minutes to take effect.

2. Procedure: A small biopsy instrument is used to create a hole in the skin, removing a small amount of muscle and fat to form the dimple. The area is typically 2 to 3 millimeters in length.

3. Suture Placement: A suture (sling) is positioned from one side of the cheek muscle to the other, then tied to set the dimple permanently in place.

Recovery Timeline

Recovery from dimpleplasty is relatively simple. You can usually go home immediately after the procedure. Mild swelling is common, and cold packs can help reduce it. Swelling typically subsides within a few days.

Most people can return to their regular activities, such as work or school, two days after the surgery. A follow-up appointment with your surgeon is usually scheduled a couple of weeks later to assess the results.

Potential Complications

While complications are rare, they can be serious if they occur. Possible complications include:

– Bleeding at the surgery site
– Facial nerve damage
– Redness and swelling
– Infection
– Scarring

If you experience excessive bleeding or oozing at the procedure site, contact your doctor immediately to check for infection, which should be treated promptly to prevent it from spreading.

Scarring is a rare but possible side effect. Additionally, there’s a chance you might not be satisfied with the results, which are difficult to reverse.

Takeaway

Dimpleplasty, like other plastic surgeries, carries both short-term and long-term risks, though these are generally rare. Most individuals have a positive experience, as reported by the Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery.

Before deciding on dimpleplasty, it’s essential to consider that the results are permanent. Careful and thoughtful consideration is necessary before opting for this seemingly simple procedure.