[Q&A] Is Pin Removal Really Necessary After Facial Contouring Surgery? We’ll Answer Your Frequently Asked Questions!

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Is it really okay to live with these pins for the rest of my life?

“There’s nothing wrong with the contour, but I feel uneasy about having pins inside my body permanently.” There are more reasons than you might think for considering pin removal after facial contouring surgery. Some people feel pain or a foreign-body sensation in the surgical area, or become concerned because they can feel the pins through the skin. Others visit us simply because they want to have the pins cleanly removed, even without any particular pain. We’ll answer all your questions about the less visible concerns surrounding pin removal after facial contouring surgery through this Q&A!

💡Q1. Is pin removal absolutely necessary after facial contouring surgery?

✅A. Medically, pin removal is not mandatory.

The fixation pins used during facial contouring surgery are made from highly biocompatible materials, so in many cases, leaving them in the body does not cause significant problems. Therefore, if you do not have any particular pain or discomfort, removal is not essential. Those who can feel the pins or feel psychologically bothered by them may choose to have them removed.

💡Q2. When is the best time to have the pins removed? (6 months vs. 1 year)

✅A. It is possible at any time once the bones have fused properly, but the best time is one year after surgery.

Some people want to have the pins removed as quickly as possible. However, during the early stages after surgery, the bones are still in the process of fusing and may not yet be firm or smooth. Therefore, we recommend confirming the condition with an X-ray or CT scan and proceeding safely at around the one-year mark.

💡Q3. What if nonunion occurs again after the pins are removed?

✅A. There is no need to worry, as the procedure is performed only after bone union has been confirmed on a CT scan.

Before surgery, imaging is performed to first confirm that the bones have fused completely. If the bones appear unstable during the examination process or even during surgery, the procedure is completed in the safest possible manner, with the patient’s health and safety given top priority.

💡Q4. What are the pain and swelling like after pin removal?

✅A. The pain and swelling are considerably less than after the initial facial contouring surgery.

Among those who have actually undergone pin removal surgery, very few say that they had difficulty because of pain. Many also describe the swelling as being around 20% of what they experienced after their initial facial contouring surgery, or as mild residual swelling, allowing for a relatively quick recovery without much burden.

💡Q5. Where are the incisions made for pin removal?

✅A. As with the initial surgery, the procedure is performed through the inside of the mouth or behind the sideburn area.​

There is little concern about creating new scars, and the incision location will be checked during a one-on-one consultation with the surgeon on the day of surgery, so you can feel reassured.

💡Q6. If I do not have the pins removed, will they cause problems during an MRI scan?

✅A. You do not need to worry.

The pins used in surgery are generally made of a special titanium material that does not respond to magnets. Even inside an MRI machine with a strong magnetic field, the pins are not pulled toward the magnet and are safe. They also cause only minimal image distortion during scanning, so there should be no problems when undergoing detailed examinations.

💡Q7. Can the facial contour be refined further while removing the pins?

✅A. In very limited areas, this may be possible.

Some patients occasionally want to refine their facial contour further while having the pins removed. These cases generally fall into the following two categories.

① Smoothing an uneven area at the back of the cheekbone

After cheekbone surgery, an uneven step may develop around the back of the cheekbone and may be palpable. Since the skin around the sideburn area is thin, this area can be shaved at the same time as the pins are removed.

② An uneven contour between the front of the chin and the square jaw

If the contour becomes uneven as the bone heals after surgery, shaving itself may be possible. However, this situation essentially requires preparation comparable to revision surgery, and the amount of swelling cannot be guaranteed.

Therefore, when removing pins, it is best to think of additional contour refinement as being limited to smoothing an uneven area at the back of the cheekbone.

As with any procedure, pin removal should not be viewed as something simple. It is very important to have it performed at a specialized medical institution with experienced medical professionals, a safe surgical environment, and advanced equipment.

At 뷰성형외과, we provide thorough care from consultation through postoperative management based on detailed analysis using 3D CT and X-ray equipment, under the direction of experienced board-certified plastic surgeons and with a safety system comparable to that of a university hospital.

Because each person’s previous surgical method, timing, and type of pins used are different, it is important to have a thorough consultation with a medical professional rather than trying to decide on your own.

If you are considering pin removal after facial contouring surgery, why not have the procedure performed safely at 뷰성형외과? If you have any questions beyond the information above, please contact us through the banner below, and we will be happy to assist you.