What jawline reduction is
A jawline reduction contours the bone at the angle of the jaw to soften a wide or square lower face. It is done through incisions inside the mouth, behind the back teeth, so there is no scar on the outside.
It is the opposite of a chin or jaw implant, which adds definition: a jawline reduction takes bone away. Your surgeon tells you at your consultation which fits your goals.
Every procedure is performed at True Surgical Center, our AAAHC-accredited surgical center in Beverly Hills. About True Surgical Center
Who it is for
Your surgeon tells you at your consultation whether jawline reduction fits your goals, and says so when another approach would serve you better.
Jawline Reduction in Beverly Hills: the essentials
- Where
- True Surgical Center, the AAAHC-accredited surgical center at 150 S. Rodeo Drive, Suite 220, Beverly Hills.
- Anesthesia
- Anesthesia given and watched throughout by a board-certified anesthesiologist; your surgeon confirms the type with you. Someone takes you home or to your hotel and stays nearby the first day.
- Incisions
- Inside the mouth, behind the back teeth, with dissolvable sutures: nothing to remove and no scar on the outside.
- Diet
- A soft diet for the first 2 weeks, rinsing after every meal; no hard, chewy or crunchy food for 6 weeks.
- Swelling
- Greatest on Days 2 to 4, then settles over several weeks. You may wear a compression garment around the jaw as your surgeon directs.
- Numbness
- Numbness or tingling of the lower lip and chin is common at first and improves over months; tell us if it does not.
- Exercise
- Light cardio may resume at 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise: typically 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you.
- Final result
- Most of the swelling settles over 1 to 3 months; the final contour shows at 3 to 6 months, with a check-up 3 months after surgery.
Every plan is personal, so your surgeon confirms each of these for you at your consultation. Recovery, week by week
What happens on the day
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01Before you go in
You follow the Pre-Op General Instructions, and your plan is confirmed with your surgeon on the day.
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02Contouring the jaw
Through incisions inside the mouth, behind the back teeth, the bone at the angle of the jaw is contoured, and the incisions are closed with dissolvable sutures.
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03Going home
Sleep on your back with your head raised on 2 to 3 pillows for 2 weeks, ice 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, for 5 days to a week, eat soft foods and rinse your mouth with salt water or an antiseptic mouthwash after every meal.
Preparing for surgery · Out-of-town patients · Post-operative care guide
Recovery, week by week
This comes from the written instructions our patients receive before surgery, so it changes only when those instructions change.
Swelling of the lower face is greatest on Days 2 to 4, and opening your mouth wide is difficult at first. Soft diet, rinse after every meal, and brush your front teeth only, without touching the incisions. An incision inside your mouth that feels like it is opening, a bad taste or swelling that keeps growing on one side, or a fever means call us. Your 1-week visit is on Day 7.
Move gradually back to a regular diet from 2 weeks, but no hard, chewy or crunchy food for 6 weeks. No bending, lifting or straining for 3 weeks; light cardio at 2 weeks and strenuous exercise typically at 3 weeks, once your surgeon clears you. Avoid anything that could strike your jaw for 6 weeks.
Most of the swelling settles over 1 to 3 months and the final contour shows at 3 to 6 months. Numbness of the lower lip or chin usually improves over months. A check-up is advisable 3 months after surgery.
Difficulty breathing, chest pain, or bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure means call 911. For anything else that worries you, call us at (424) 363-4112, day or night. When to call us right away
Jawline Reduction risks, and how we keep you safe
Every procedure carries risk. Your surgeon goes through the risks that apply to your plan at your consultation, and each one is written in the consent you read and sign. For jawline reduction, the consent lists:
- Numbness. Numbness of the lower lip or chin is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Asymmetry. Asymmetry, or a change in the jaw angle that may need revision, is possible.
- Teeth. Injury to the teeth or their roots is possible.
- Jaw Fracture. A fracture of the jaw is possible.
- Nerve Injury. Weakness of the lower lip or face from injury to a branch of the facial nerve is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Infection Inside the Mouth. Infection inside the mouth is possible.
- Soft-Tissue Sagging. The soft tissue over the jaw may sag after bone is removed.
Risks of any operation
- Bleeding. Bleeding during or after surgery is possible. A collection of blood under the skin (hematoma) may need drainage or a return to the operating room, and severe bleeding may need emergency treatment or a blood transfusion.
- Infection. Infection is possible and may need antibiotics, drainage or further surgery.
- Bruising and Swelling. Bruising and swelling are expected. They may last several weeks, and swelling or discoloration may persist longer.
- Scarring. Every incision or entry point leaves a permanent scar. A scar may be raised, widened, darker, lighter or more visible than expected, and takes at least 3 months to mature.
- Keloid or Raised Scar. Itching, thickening, pain or a growth along any incision can be the first sign of a keloid (a thick, raised scar). Let us know right away so it can be injected with a steroid to stop the keloid from forming. A keloid is more likely if you have had one before and may need further injections or treatment.
- Change in Skin Sensation. Numbness, tingling or a change in skin sensation around the treated areas is possible; it may be temporary or permanent.
- Delayed Healing. Delayed healing or separation of an incision is possible and much more likely with nicotine in any form.
- Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions to tape, sutures, skin cleansers, latex or medications are possible.
- Blood Clots. Blood clots in the legs or lungs (deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) are possible and more likely with longer surgery; your surgical team uses the clot-prevention plan chosen for you.
- Anesthesia. Risks of anesthesia and sedation are possible; the anesthesia provider reviews them with you separately.
- Pain. Pain after surgery is expected and should settle over several days; pain that lasts longer is possible.
- Result and Revision. A result that does not meet your expectations is possible: healing differs between people, no result is guaranteed, and a revision may be advised, with the fees described in your patient policy.
- Serious Complications. Serious complications, including death, are possible with any surgery or anesthesia.
- Heart and Lung Problems. Heart or lung problems, such as pneumonia or an irregular heartbeat, are possible after surgery and anesthesia.
- Medication Side Effects. Side effects of the medications used during and after surgery, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness or trouble urinating, are possible.
- Injury to Deeper Structures. Injury to deeper structures, such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles or glands, is possible.
- Persistent Sutures. A deeper stitch may work its way to the surface and need to be removed.
When to call us right away · Before & after gallery · Request a consultation
Jawline Reduction FAQ
Surgery that contours the bone at the angle of the jaw, through incisions inside the mouth, to soften a wide or square lower face.
No scar on the outside: the incisions are inside the mouth, behind the back teeth, and close with dissolvable sutures.
A soft diet for the first 2 weeks, rinsing after every meal, then a gradual return to a regular diet; no hard, chewy or crunchy food for 6 weeks.
No. An implant adds definition; a jawline reduction takes bone away. Your surgeon tells you at your consultation which fits your goals; see chin augmentation.
The consent you read and sign lists these possible complications: numbness of the lower lip or chin, which may be temporary or permanent; asymmetry, or a change in the jaw angle that may need revision; injury to the teeth or their roots; a fracture of the jaw; weakness of the lower lip or face from injury to a branch of the facial nerve, which may be temporary or permanent; infection inside the mouth; and sagging of the soft tissue over the jaw after bone is removed. It also lists the risks of any operation, including bleeding, infection, blood clots and the risks of anesthesia. Your surgeon reviews each one with you.
Related Procedures
Schedule your jawline reduction consultation
Every consultation is conducted personally by Dr. Truesdale. We respond same-day, Monday-Friday. International patients: WhatsApp (424) 363-4112.
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