Chin Surgery in Bellevue
Achieve Facial Harmony & a More Defined Profile
Chin surgery at Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery helps you achieve the facial balance and definition you’ve always wanted — whether your chin is too recessed, overly prominent, or asymmetrical. Dr. Kristopher Day, double board-certified and Ivy League-trained, brings a rare craniofacial fellowship background to every genioplasty procedure he performs. That means your chin — one of the most architecturally complex parts of the face — is in the hands of the only craniofacial fellowship-trained surgeon in Bellevue.
Double Board-Certified (ABPS + ABS)
Ivy League Trained
Highly Rated Bellevue Plastic Surgeon
Proudly Serving Bellevue, Seattle, Kirkland, Redmond, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Renton
What Is Chin Surgery (Genioplasty)?
Chin surgery, medically known as genioplasty or mentoplasty, is a surgical procedure that reshapes or repositions the chin to improve facial harmony and balance. The chin is the anchor point of the lower face — when it is proportionate to the nose and forehead, the entire face appears cohesive and balanced. When it is too small, too prominent, or asymmetrical, even subtle surgical correction can produce a dramatic improvement in overall appearance.
At Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery, Dr. Day performs two distinct types of chin surgery depending on each patient’s anatomy, goals, and the degree of correction needed:
Technique 1: Chin Implant Surgery
A shaped silicone implant is placed through a small incision inside the mouth or along the natural crease beneath the chin. This approach is ideal for patients with a recessed or underdeveloped chin who want added projection without altering the underlying bone structure. Results are immediate, long-lasting, and adjustable — implants can be exchanged or removed if goals change over time.
Technique 2: Sliding Genioplasty (Osteotomy)
In a sliding genioplasty, Dr. Day makes a precise cut in the chin bone and repositions it — forward, backward, up, down, or side-to-side — securing the new position with titanium hardware. This technique offers the most precise three-dimensional control and is the only approach that can correct vertical height, horizontal projection, and asymmetry simultaneously. It is the preferred technique for patients with significant chin asymmetry or those requiring complex multi-directional correction. Dr. Day’s craniofacial fellowship training makes him uniquely qualified to perform this procedure with exactness.
What Chin Surgery Addresses
- Recessed or weak chin that reduces profile definition
- Protruding chin that creates an imbalanced appearance
- Chin asymmetry (uneven left-to-right positioning)
- Vertical height discrepancies (chin too tall or too short)
- Profile imbalance relative to nose, forehead, or neck
- Desire for a more defined jawline and improved neck contour
Chin Surgery vs. Non-Surgical Alternatives
Non-surgical options such as dermal filler can temporarily add volume and projection to a recessed chin, but results are temporary (typically 12–18 months) and cannot correct asymmetry or vertical positioning. Surgical chin correction with implants or sliding genioplasty provides permanent, precise, natural-looking results that no injectable can replicate. During your consultation, Dr. Day will evaluate your anatomy and discuss which approach is most appropriate for your goals.
Benefits of a Chin Surgery
For patients who have struggled with chin shape or proportion, surgical correction can be among the most impactful changes they experience — improving not just how they look, but how they feel in photos, in conversation, and in the mirror.
Aesthetic Benefits
- Improved facial harmony and proportion from front and profile views
- More defined jawline and improved neck-chin transition
- Better balance between chin, nose, and forehead
- Natural-looking, permanent results that age gracefully
- Significant improvement in profile — often described as the most impactful change patients have made
Functional & Confidence Benefits
- Improved self-confidence and comfort in social and professional settings
- Greater satisfaction with photographs
- Addresses concerns that years of non-surgical attempts could not correct
- When combined with rhinoplasty, provides complete nasal-chin balance — a classic combination
"His stitches were amazing. Nobody would even know that I had this surgery. What a great God Send!"
— Adam L., Facial Reconstruction Patient • Google Review
Not Sure If You're a Candidate?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Day to discuss your goals and options.
Your Chin Surgery Journey
Step 1: Consultation
Dr. Day conducts a comprehensive in-person evaluation that includes a full facial profile analysis, chin-to-
nose-to-forehead proportional assessment, bite evaluation, and discussion of your aesthetic goals. He will
explain whether a chin implant or sliding genioplasty is the appropriate technique for your anatomy.
Photography is taken from multiple angles. You will leave with a clear understanding of the recommended
procedure, expected outcome, and a personalized surgical plan. To schedule your consultation, call (425)
818-8991.
Step 2: Topical Numbing
In the weeks before surgery, you will complete standard pre-operative labs and a medical clearance
evaluation. Smoking must be stopped at least 4 weeks prior. Aspirin, NSAIDs, and blood-thinning
supplements are discontinued per Dr. Day's protocol. You will receive detailed written pre-operative
instructions from the office.
Step 3: Precise Filler Placement
Chin surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure at one of Dr. Day’s accredited surgical facilities in the Bellevue area. The procedure takes approximately 1–2 hours under general anesthesia. For implant placement, a small incision is made either inside the mouth (intraoral approach, leaving no external scar) or in the natural crease beneath the chin (submental approach, where any scar is virtually invisible). For sliding genioplasty, a precise osteotomy of the chin bone is performed and secured with titanium plates and screws. Both incision approaches are closed with dissolvable sutures.
Step 4 — Recovery Timeline
Days 1–3
What to Expect
Moderate swelling, tightness, and bruising around the chin and jaw. Soft food
diet begins. Low-grade activity — including walking — is encouraged starting
the day after surgery. Avoid grimace, grunt, strain, or sweat-inducing activities.
Days 4–7
What to Expect
Swelling begins to resolve. Most patients are comfortable returning to light desk
work by Day 5–7. Pain is minimal and managed with prescribed medication.
Weeks 2-3
What to Expect
Majority of visible bruising resolves. Soft food restrictions typically lifted by
Week 2. Gentle exercise may resume.
Weeks 4+
What to Expect
Return to full activity including exercise. Incision sites continue to mature and
soften.
3–12 Months
What to Expect
Final results fully visible as residual swelling completely resolves. Chin position
feels natural and permanent.
"Dr. Day was available to do the surgery the very next morning. Dr. Day has been absolutely phenomenal in keeping me informed about the process and what to expect in terms of recovery. He has been great in answering my questions."
— Anthony R., Facial Surgery Patient • Google Review
Why a Craniofacial Fellowship Makes a Difference for Chin Surgery
Genioplasty — particularly sliding genioplasty — is one of the most technically demanding facial procedures in plastic surgery. It involves precise osteotomy of the chin bone, three-dimensional repositioning, and rigid fixation with titanium hardware. The margin for error is small. Even a few millimeters of miscalculation can affect facial symmetry.
Dr. Kristopher Day completed a craniofacial fellowship — specialized training in the surgical anatomy of the facial skeleton, including the mandible, maxilla, and orbit. He is the only craniofacial fellowship-trained plastic surgeon in Bellevue. This means that when you choose Dr. Day for chin surgery, you are choosing a surgeon whose specialized fellowship training was focused on exactly this category of procedure.
What Craniofacial Training Adds | Benefit to You as a Patient |
|---|---|
Deep knowledge of facial skeletal anatomy | Precise osteotomy placement and safer surgical execution |
Multi-directional 3D movement skill | Ability to correct both projection and symmetry simultaneously |
Experience with complex facial reconstruction | Handles even challenging anatomy with confidence |
Chin Surgery Cost in Bellevue
Chin surgery at Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery starts from $4,500. Your final cost depends on the specific technique selected (implant vs. sliding genioplasty), the complexity of your anatomy, facility and anesthesia fees, and whether additional procedures are performed simultaneously.
What Affects Your Price:
- Technique: Chin implant vs. sliding genioplasty (osteotomy requires more surgical time)
- Implant selection: Implant material, size, and shape (implant-only cases)
- Anesthesia type and facility fees
- Combined procedures (rhinoplasty, facelift, or other facial procedures)
- Post-surgical garments and follow-up visits
What’s Included in Your Chin Surgery Investment
Your surgical fee at Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery includes:
- Surgeon’s fee
- Facility/operating room fee
- Anesthesia (administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist)
- Enhanced Recovery After Surgery medication (Exparel)
- Cosmetic surgery insurance coverage (Cosmetasure)
- High-end compression garment (Isavella)
- High-end scar ointment (Biocorneum)
- Swelling and bruising ointment (Arnica)
- Post-operative recovery and follow-up care
Financing Options
Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery accepts CareCredit and Alphaeon Credit. CareCredit offers 6-month financing for qualified patients. Alphaeon Credit provides flexible credit lines designed for healthcare. Financing information is available during your consultation. To schedule, call (425) 818-8991.
Starting from $X,XXX
Final pricing is confirmed at your consultation.
Why Choose Dr. Kristopher Day for Your Chin Surgery (Genioplasty)?
Not all plastic surgeons are equally equipped to perform genioplasty — particularly sliding genioplasty. Choosing a surgeon with specific training in facial skeletal surgery makes a measurable difference in outcome precision, safety, and symmetry. Dr. Day’s background sets him apart from every other plastic surgeon in the Bellevue market.
Credential / Advantage | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
Only Craniofacial Fellowship-Trained Surgeon in Bellevue | Advanced training in facial skeletal surgery — the specialty that chin surgery falls within. No other plastic surgeon in Bellevue has this background. |
Double Board-Certified (ABPS + ABS) | The highest credential standard in plastic surgery. Both boards require demonstrated surgical excellence. |
Ivy League Trained | Ivy League general surgery training forms the surgical foundation on which Dr. Day’s craniofacial fellowship and plastic surgery practice are built. |
30+ Peer-Reviewed Publications | Academic authority that signals a commitment to evidence-based surgical technique — not just volume. |
Highly Rated Bellevue Plastic Surgeon | Patient satisfaction scores consistently among the highest-rated in Bellevue — hundreds of verified 5-star reviews. |
Boutique Practice — Unparalleled Patient Time | You meet with Dr. Day personally at every visit. No hand-off to physician assistants. He explains everything. |
Conveniently Located for Eastside Families
Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery is centrally located in downtown Bellevue, making Dr. Day’s fellowship-trained expertise accessible to families throughout Bellevue and the greater Eastside — without the stress of navigating Seattle traffic. Our patients enjoy a private, boutique surgical experience with on-site validated parking, just minutes from the communities they call home.
Seattle
~15 minutes
World-class plastic surgery results without the downtown Seattle parking hassle. A quick drive across SR-520 or I-90 to our private Bellevue office.
Kirkland
~10 minutes
Just minutes from downtown Kirkland and the Juanita waterfront via I-405 or surface streets.
Redmond
~10 minutes
Convenient for the Redmond tech community via SR-520 or surface streets.
Mercer Island
~10 minutes
A quick drive across I-90. Our discreet, private environment is ideal for discerning Mercer Island residents.
Issaquah
~10 minutes
Convenient for Issaquah Highlands and Gilman Village area families via I-90.
Renton
~5 minutes
Easy access from Renton and the Landing via I-405 North. Boutique care and personalized attention just minutes away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a chin implant and a sliding genioplasty?
A chin implant places a shaped silicone implant over the existing chin bone to add projection and definition — it does not alter the underlying bone structure. A sliding genioplasty involves cutting the chin bone and physically repositioning it in three dimensions, secured with titanium hardware. Implants are ideal for patients needing added projection; sliding genioplasty is preferred for patients requiring significant repositioning, vertical correction, or asymmetry correction. Dr. Day will evaluate your anatomy and recommend the appropriate technique during your consultation at (425) 818-8991.
How long does chin surgery recovery take?
Most patients return to desk work within 5–7 days. Soft food restrictions are typically lifted at 2 weeks. Visible bruising and the majority of swelling resolve by 3–4 weeks. Full activity, including exercise, is typically resumed by Week 4. Final results are fully visible between 3 and 12 months as residual swelling completely resolves.
Will people be able to tell I had chin surgery?
In the vast majority of cases, no. Dr. Day’s incisions for implant placement are hidden either inside the mouth or in the natural crease beneath the chin — both heal to near-invisible scars. The results of a well-performed genioplasty appear natural, as though the chin was always proportionate. Patients typically report that friends and family comment that they look great but cannot identify a specific change.
Is chin surgery permanent?
Yes, both techniques produce long-lasting results. In chin implant surgery, the implant integrates with the surrounding tissue and remains in position permanently — it can be exchanged or removed if desired. In sliding genioplasty, the repositioned bone heals in its new position (typically within 6–12 weeks) and remains there permanently. Long-term complications from titanium fixation hardware are rare, and it is designed to remain in place indefinitely.
Can chin surgery be combined with rhinoplasty?
Yes, and this is one of the most common combinations performed at Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery. The nose and chin together define the profile balance of the face — when one is treated without the other, the profile may still appear imbalanced. Combining rhinoplasty and genioplasty in a single surgery reduces overall recovery time, anesthesia exposure, and total cost compared to performing them separately. Dr. Day’s craniofacial fellowship background makes him uniquely qualified to plan and execute both procedures together with precision.
Schedule Your Chin Surgery (Genioplasty) Consultation
You deserve to feel confident in your appearance again. Dr. Day and the Pacific Sound team create personalized transformation plans tailored to your unique goals.