Facial Contouring and Fat Grafting as an Alternative to Double Jaw Surgery: A Real Patient Case

At Girin Plastic Surgery in Seoul, Korea, facial contouring surgery and fat grafting may be considered when double jaw surgery is not suitable for safety reasons.

Girin Plastic Surgery performs both double jaw surgery for protruding mouth cases and double jaw surgery for underbite cases. However, just because someone appears to have a protruding mouth, it does not mean that every case is automatically a candidate for double jaw surgery. The treatment method changes completely depending on whether the cause of the protruding mouth is the teeth, the gum bone, the skeletal structure, or an optical illusion created by the position of the chin tip. The patient wanted protruding mouth surgery because the mouth appeared to protrude forward. However, through precise imaging such as 3D CT scans, it was confirmed that this was not a simple case of dental protrusion. Instead, both the upper jaw and lower jaw skeletal structures were positioned forward, creating a characteristic appearance in which the area around the mouth looked prominent.

When Double Jaw Surgery Is Needed for a Protruding Mouth

A protruding-mouth-like appearance should be analyzed through the teeth, jawbone, chin position, and airway condition before choosing a surgical plan in Korea.

When the protrusion is structural, it may be difficult to close the lips comfortably. Because a lot of force is placed on the chin muscle, this often shows the characteristic of deep “walnut wrinkles” forming due to tension in the chin muscle. There was another point as well. The patient had a face that appeared long, and the philtrum in particular looked long. This is because when the upper jaw skeletal structure protrudes forward, the area under the nose, the philtrum, and the upper lip appear together, giving the central part of the face a protruded look. At the same time, because the lower jaw is small and positioned backward, the lips appear to protrude when viewed from the side, while the chin tip looks relatively set back.

In this situation, the most recommended option is double jaw surgery. However, surgery that improves the facial shape is not simply a matter of pushing the mouth inward or reducing the jaw. The position of the upper and lower jaws, dental occlusion, facial length, asymmetry, midface volume, and the possibility of skin and muscle sagging must all be analyzed together. In particular, when mandibular setback is required, meaning that the lower jaw needs to be moved backward, it is essential to confirm whether the existing airway space is sufficient. However, in this case, the patient’s airway space was very narrow. If the jaw were moved backward in this condition, there was a possibility that the airway could become even narrower. Therefore, from a safety perspective, we determined that double jaw surgery should be excluded.

This is because, especially in cases where the lower jaw is moved backward during double jaw surgery, the possibility of breathing discomfort during sleep, a feeling of tightness or stuffiness, and functional problems must be taken into consideration. Therefore, before every facial bone surgery, Girin Plastic Surgery always conducts multiple examinations and analyzes not only the direction in which the jawbone should be moved, but also the airway width, occlusal condition, chin tip position, and overall facial proportions.

In this case, for the safety of the patient, instead of double jaw surgery, we planned facial contouring surgery, chin advancement, facial fat grafting, double chin liposuction, and submental muscle tightening together. The core point was not to forcefully push the mouth backward, but to improve the facial proportions and three-dimensionality within the range that was possible inside the patient’s own structure.

Key Points to Consider When You Want a Face Shape Like aespa Karina’s

When the airway space is narrow, Girin Plastic Surgery in Seoul carefully evaluates safety before planning jaw movement surgery.

At the time of consultation, this patient wanted a small and sophisticated facial shape like Karina of the idol group aespa. What is important at this point is not to copy the face of a specific celebrity exactly as it is. The aesthetic elements that can be referenced from a face shape like Karina’s must be separated, and then it must be judged how those elements can be reinterpreted within the patient’s own skeletal structure.

It is easy to define the core of a face shape like Karina’s as simply a small face and a V-line. However, this may be judged differently depending on the skeletal structure that the patient already has. The proportion of a small and beautiful face is ultimately about “proportion.” In this patient’s case, the mandibular angle below the ear was originally on the higher side. In this type of facial shape, if the mandibular angle below the ear is cut too much, the jawline may look excessively short, or the connection between the neckline and the jawline may become unnatural. Therefore, the mandibular angle below the ear was not excessively resected, and only the bone that appeared protruded when viewed from the front was refined.

Chin advancement can help improve lower-face balance when the mouth appears more protruded due to a recessed chin tip.

Also, rather than the face actually being long, the concern was that the face “looked long.” In reality, the chin was on the shorter side. Therefore, by advancing the recessed chin tip, we were able to create the effect of lifting the sagging chin tip. In this way, overall facial contouring surgery is not a surgery that simply reduces the facial bones as much as possible. In fact, excessive bone reduction may make the face look smaller at first, but as time passes, it can lead to cheek sagging, a blurred jawline, and a lack of volume in the lower face.

Next, the low-positioned and protruding large cheekbones were reduced. The height of the cheekbones affects the overall volume of the face and the firm impression of the areas where light is reflected. The protruding parts visible from the front were refined, and the support and three-dimensionality of the face were supplemented through fat grafting. Important elements include proportions that make the face appear to have less empty space, a refined cheekbone line, a three-dimensional forehead and anterior cheekbones, a clear but not overly sharp chin tip, and a natural sense of connection between the long jawline and neckline. In particular, when the volume point is lifted through cheekbone surgery and fat is grafted at the same time, it can create the impression that the cheeks are filled up to around the area below the outer corners of the eyes.

Ultimately, referencing a celebrity’s face shape does not mean copying that face. It means safely implementing proportions such as a smaller-looking face, refined cheekbones, a three-dimensional midface, and a clear jawline within the patient’s own structure.

Why Chin Advancement Is Important in Cases of a Protruding Mouth Appearance 

Facial contouring surgery at Girin Plastic Surgery in Korea focuses on balanced proportions within the patient’s own facial structure, not excessive bone reduction.

A protruding mouth appearance does not always mean the mouth is actually protruding. If the chin tip is set back or if the lower face lacks support, the area around the mouth can appear relatively more protruded. In these cases, even without pushing the mouth backward, appropriately advancing the chin tip can change the balance of the lower face.

In this case, the patient’s chin was advanced by approximately 4 mm. This was not intended to make the chin tip longer. Rather, it was an adjustment to balance the area around the mouth and the jawline. When the chin tip provides support from the front, the protruded appearance around the mouth can look softened from the side profile, and the lower face can also appear more stable from the front.

Also, because chin filler had already been placed previously, the filler was dissolved while the actual bone line and soft tissue condition were checked. When filler remains, the shape of the chin tip can look exaggerated compared to the actual skeletal structure. For this reason, it is necessary to accurately confirm the structure before planning surgery.

In Fat Grafting, Engraftment and Balance Are More Important Than Injecting a Large Amount

A small and refined K-beauty-inspired face shape should be reinterpreted according to each person’s skeletal structure rather than copied from a celebrity.

One part that is often overlooked in facial shape surgery is volume. What Girin Plastic Surgery considers important in every facial plastic surgery, including facial contouring surgery, is three-dimensionality. In the case of facial contouring surgery, the focus is on refining the width and angles of the bones. Therefore, when facial contouring surgery and fat grafting are planned together, the first thing to judge is not “how much should be injected,” but “which areas determine the three-dimensionality of the face.”

For fat grafting, fat was harvested from the lines of both thighs. Then 9 cc was grafted to the forehead, 2 cc was grafted to each anterior cheekbone area on both sides, and 1 cc was grafted to the nasolabial fold area. The forehead creates the curve of the upper face, the anterior cheekbones supplement the three-dimensionality of the midface, and the nasolabial fold area helps make the protruded appearance around the mouth look relatively softer.

This means that volume was placed in the necessary areas so that the face, which became smaller after facial contouring surgery, would not appear flat. In facial shape surgery, three-dimensionality is not created by bone alone. The line of the bone and the volume of the soft tissue must match together so that the front view, 45-degree angle, and side profile can connect naturally.

Cheekbone reduction can refine protruding areas while preserving the three-dimensional balance of the midface.

Fat grafting is not a surgery in which injecting more necessarily leads to better results. Excessive fat grafting can make the face look swollen or heavy. Depending on the area, it may also create asymmetry or a bumpy, uneven feeling. In particular, when fat grafting is performed together with facial contouring surgery, it is important to place an appropriate amount of volume in a way that matches the face whose bones have been refined.

After fat grafting, management is also necessary in order to increase the engraftment rate. During the early recovery period, the grafted fat settles into place while receiving blood flow from the surrounding tissues. During this period, if strong pressure or repeated stimulation is applied, it can be unfavorable for engraftment.

If forehead fat grafting has been performed, it is recommended to avoid actions that press on the forehead for a certain period, such as wearing a hat, wearing a hairband, or sleeping face down. In addition, sudden dieting can affect the maintenance of the grafted fat volume, and excessive cold compresses can reduce blood flow. Therefore, cold compresses should be performed only in a limited manner according to the medical team’s instructions.

The Jawline and Double Chin Are Not Determined by Bone Structure Alone

Facial fat grafting after contouring surgery in Seoul can help restore volume to key areas and prevent the face from looking flat.

The jawline is not created by bone alone. Even if the facial bones have been refined, if there is a lot of fat under the chin, if the muscles under the chin are separated, or if skin elasticity is insufficient, the line may look blurred from the 45-degree angle and side profile rather than from the front.

In double chin improvement, liposuction and muscle tightening have different purposes. Liposuction is a surgery that reduces the thickness by decreasing the fat layer accumulated under the chin. On the other hand, muscle tightening is a process that gathers the muscle structure under the chin, which may be separated or spread downward, toward the center in order to refine the angle between the jawline and neckline.

If the area under the chin looks dull even though there is not much fat, or if the neckline is not smooth when the head is lifted, simple fat removal alone may not be enough. In these cases, the condition of the muscles under the chin must also be checked in order for the facial line to appear clearer after facial contouring surgery.

Girin Plastic Surgery has surgical techniques for double chin and sagging under-chin fat that occur in various cases. In this case, double chin and jawline liposuction, as well as double chin muscle tightening, were performed together. This was not an additional surgery simply to make the face smaller. Rather, it was a structural refinement designed to help the jawline and neckline connect naturally after facial contouring surgery.

The Most Important Thing in Facial Shape Surgery Is Harmony Within a Safe Range

Fat grafting around the nasolabial area may help soften the visual prominence around the mouth.

Ultimately, what matters in facial shape surgery is not “how much was reduced.” Within a range that does not compromise airway and functional safety, the bones should be refined only as much as necessary, insufficient volume should be supplemented, and the soft tissue under the chin should also be adjusted together. Only then can a natural and three-dimensional facial shape be created.

In particular, if double jaw surgery is impossible or not suitable, alternatives can be found by combining facial contouring surgery, chin advancement, fat grafting, and submental line refinement. However, not every protruding-mouth-like impression can be solved with facial contouring surgery. If the dental occlusion problem is significant, or if movement of the jawbone position is absolutely necessary, double jaw surgery or orthodontic treatment may need to come first.

On the other hand, if the structure carries a high functional risk, the direction should be to improve the look within a safe range rather than proceeding with excessive surgery. Facial shape surgery is not determined by the name of a single procedure. It requires a comprehensive design that looks at the facial bones, soft tissue, volume, and airway safety together.

More important than a smaller face is a face that remains natural over time and looks harmonious from both the front and side lines.

Girin Plastic Surgery Protruding Mouth Facial Contouring Surgery FAQ

Double chin liposuction in Seoul helps reduce the fat layer under the chin and refine the jawline from the side profile.

Q. If I look like I have a protruding mouth, do I definitely need double jaw surgery?

A. No. The causes of an appearance that looks like a protruding mouth can be broadly divided into three categories. There is a protruding mouth caused by teeth that flare forward, a protruding mouth in which the gum bone and front teeth come forward together, and a mouth in which the skeletal positions of the upper jaw and lower jaw themselves are protruded. In the last case, double jaw surgery may be recommended, but depending on the patient’s condition, improvement may also be possible through other methods.

Q. Why can double jaw surgery be difficult if the airway is narrow?

A. It can make the airway space even narrower. If the patient already has a narrow airway, the possibility of breathing problems during sleep must be considered. Therefore, safety must come before aesthetic improvement.

Q. Can a face shape like aespa Karina’s be created with facial contouring surgery?

A. It is impossible and also not desirable to make someone’s face exactly the same as a specific celebrity’s face. However, aesthetic elements that can be referenced, such as a small face, refined cheekbones, a three-dimensional midface, a clear jawline, and a long neckline, can be reinterpreted within the conditions of the patient’s own skeletal structure and soft tissue.

Q. If I do a lot of facial contouring surgery, will my face become prettier?

A. No. Excessive resection can cause cheek sagging, a blurred jawline, and a lack of volume in the lower face. What matters is not cutting a lot, but refining the protruding areas and connecting the lines according to the overall proportions of the face.

Q. Why are facial contouring surgery and fat grafting performed together?

A. If the volume in the central part of the face is insufficient after facial contouring surgery, the face can look flat or hollow. Fat grafting to the forehead, anterior cheekbones, and nasolabial fold areas can help supplement the three-dimensionality of the face and make the protruded appearance around the mouth look softer.

Q. When is double chin muscle tightening necessary?

A. A double chin is affected by multiple factors together, including fat under the chin, the platysma muscle under the chin, skin elasticity, chin tip position, and the angle of the neckline. When the platysma muscle under the chin is separated, gathering the muscle toward the center and refining the submental structure can create a firm and clear line instead of a wide and dull-looking area under the chin.

Q. What should I be careful about after fat grafting?

A. Intense dieting or excessive cold compresses can be unfavorable for engraftment. In addition, it is important not to press on the grafted area.

For more information, you can contact Girin Plastic Surgery directly.


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