Answers at a Glance
What is V-line surgery, and and who is it right for?
V-line surgery is a facial contouring procedure that combines square jaw reduction and genioplasty into a single operation to bring the jawline together into a V shape. The bone is resected in a long curve from the mandibular angle to the chin, and the width and length of the chin are adjusted with a T, Y, or inverted-V osteotomy. The scope, such as mini V-line (square jaw + chin) or three-part contouring with the cheekbones added, is decided based on 3D CT analysis and the patient's expectations. We also explain that the wider the scope, the greater the recovery burden.
- Operating Surgeon
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon · Certified specialist in maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Diagnosis
- Nerve canal and bone thickness measured with Large FOV CBCT and 3D analysis software
- Surgical equipment
- Piezo (ultrasonic osteotome) · General anesthesia equipment · Central patient monitor
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee Medically reviewed ·
- Surgery Time
- Approx. 1–1.5 hours
- Anesthesia
- General anesthesia
- Hospital Stay
- 1–2 days
- Stitches
- About 2 weeks
- Return to Daily Life
- 1–2 weeks
- Final contour
- 3–6 months
This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed
Recommended for You If
- For those whose wide, angular jawline makes the face look large and heavy
- For those whose chin is wide or long so that the jawline does not come together
- Those who feel limited by square jaw Botox
- For those who want the scope of surgery limited to only what is needed
V-line surgery, explained by Dr. Lee in videos
From the YouTube channel ‘안될 턱이 있나’, we have gathered only the videos related to V-line surgery from those in which Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee answers questions he frequently receives in the consultation room. Click to play them right here.
YouTube channel 안될 턱이 있나 These videos are published with patient consent. Results and recovery vary from person to person.
Which osteotomy techniques are used in V-line surgery?
The entire jawline is refined with long-curve resection, and the chin is chosen from T osteotomy (width reduction), Y osteotomy (width and length), modified Y osteotomy, or inverted-V osteotomy (long chin) depending on its shape. If the frontal width needs to be reduced further, cortical bone resection is added.
How is the Mini V-line different from the three contouring surgeries?
Mini V-Line is square jaw + chin, and Contouring Type 2 is the same combination, with differences in the extent of resection. Contouring Type 3 adds cheekbone reduction to this. If the cheekbones are not a concern, Type 2 is the right choice rather than Type 3.
Does the face sag after V-line surgery?
Soft tissue may remain in proportion to the bone removed along the jawline. We decide the amount of resection carefully and, if needed, manage skin elasticity after surgery with Shrink (HIFU) and LDM. Those in their 20s–30s with good skin elasticity tend to have less concern about sagging.
Won't my chin become too pointed after surgery?
We aim for a chin width that looks natural in proportion to the whole face. In the 3D simulation, we review width and length together to avoid an excessive V shape.
When the Director Recommends Surgery
Whether to recommend V-line surgery is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria Dr. Lee actually uses in consultations, in his own words.
Contouring surgery is performed for aesthetic improvement rather than functional improvement, and it must be able to meet the patient's needs. That is why I always identify the patient's expectations accurately and judge whether contouring surgery can meet them.
The goals and direction the patient hopes to achieve through surgery must match the goals and direction of the surgeon performing it.
A consultation where surgery was not recommended
Even when patients come with the same concern, there are cases where surgery is not the answer once skeletal condition and the desired change are considered. This is the conclusion of a consultation where the director made that judgment.
Surgery itself could be considered, but with your current bone structure the change you can expect is limited, so I do not actively recommend square jaw surgery.
See the three consultations where surgery was not recommended
Tests and Preparation Before Your Consultation
Facial bone surgery is not decided by appearance alone. At your first consultation, we record how your bones, teeth, and face relate to one another using the tests below, and first judge from that data whether surgery is needed.
| Test | What We Look At |
|---|---|
| 3D CT (Large FOV CBCT) | We view the entire facial skeleton, along with the positions of nerves and tooth roots, in 3D. It can be taken on the day of your consultation. |
| Intraoral Scan · Dental Model | We digitally record how your upper and lower teeth fit together. |
| Facial Photos · Measurements | Using front, 45-degree, and side photos, we measure left-right differences and proportions. |
| 3D Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) | On a 3D model that combines your CT, scans, photos, and models, Dr. Lee performs the surgery virtually first, and we review the expected changes together. |
What to Bring
- Referral from your orthodontist and orthodontic diagnosis records (if available)
- Previously taken CT, panoramic, and cephalometric images (records from other clinics are helpful too)
- Front and side-profile photos (to explain the changes you would like)
- Names of medications you are taking, systemic conditions, surgical history, and allergies
- Your school or vacation schedule, so we can plan surgery and recovery
How Your Care Proceeds
- 01
Consultation · 3D CT
We determine whether the cause of your concern is bone or soft tissue, and measure bone thickness, nerve canal position, and left-right differences.
- 02
Design
On the 3D model, we plan the osteotomy lines and the amount of movement, and together we look at which changes would look natural within the proportions of your whole face.
- 03
Pre-Surgery Tests
Pre-anesthesia tests such as blood tests and an ECG. We check the medications you take and any systemic conditions.
- 04
Surgery · Hospitalization
1–1.5 hours per area under general anesthesia. After the recovery room, 1–2 days in a private room.
- 05
Follow-up
1-week band · 2-week stitch removal · 1 month · 3 months · 6 months · 1 year. Dr. Lee checks on you personally.
How Recovery and Aftercare Continue
Recovery after V-line surgery generally follows the order below. The timeframes reflect an average course, and recovery speed varies from person to person.
| Timing | Condition and Care |
|---|---|
| Right after surgery – 1 week | Wear a compression band, apply ice packs, and keep your upper body elevated. Liquid to porridge-stage diet. |
| 2 – 4 weeks | Stitch removal, soft diet, return to light activity. Laser care for residual swelling. |
| 1 – 3 months | Residual swelling subsides and the contour begins to show. Be careful with hard foods and strenuous exercise. |
| 6 months – 1 year | Final contour stabilizes. Pin removal if needed. |
The director who meets you at your consultation oversees your V-line surgery from start to finish
At The Barunface, one person, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, handles the consultation, diagnosis, 3D surgical planning, surgery, inpatient rounds, and follow-up. We do not hand off stages to staff or other doctors.
Because the surgeon who performs your surgery remembers the concerns and diagnosis from your first consultation, you can ask the same person directly about questions that arise during recovery, such as swelling, sensation, and bite after surgery. Since we are located in Seomyeon, you do not have to make long trips for each follow-up visit.
Before the actual surgery, I perform the surgery on a computer first. I try it one way and another, and think it through carefully. In the past, I could only imagine the jaw position and facial appearance after surgery in my head, but now I can see it directly in 3D, which helps me a great deal and helps patients understand the surgery much more easily.
Treatment Standards and Basis
- Operating Surgeon
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon · Certified specialist in maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Diagnosis
- Nerve canal and bone thickness measured with Large FOV CBCT and 3D analysis software
- Surgical equipment
- Piezo (ultrasonic osteotome) · General anesthesia equipment · Central patient monitor
- Recovery
- Private inpatient room, swelling-care injections, Smartlux · LDM, Shurink
- Insurance
- Non-covered (VAT not included)
V-line surgery FAQ 13 questions
01How much does V-line surgery cost in Busan?
Based on The Barunface's non-covered fee schedule, chin surgery is KRW 4,000,000 (VAT not included), square jaw surgery is KRW 5,000,000 (VAT not included), and mini V-line surgery (square jaw + chin) is KRW 6,000,000 (VAT not included). Facial contouring surgery is not covered by national health insurance, and VAT is charged separately. Base prices by area are published in the non-covered fee schedule, and anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination fees are additional. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis. The exact total will be given in writing after diagnosis.
02How long is recovery after V-line surgery?
Return to daily life is usually 1–2 weeks. Right after surgery – Week 1: wearing a compression band, ice packs, keeping the upper body upright. Liquid-to-porridge diet. Weeks 2 – 4: stitch removal, soft diet, return to light activity. Laser for residual swelling. Months 1 – 3: residual swelling subsides and the contour begins to show. Be careful with hard foods and strenuous exercise. Month 6 – Year 1: final contour settles. Pins are removed if needed. Recovery speed varies from person to person.
03What are the side effects of V-line surgery?
After contouring surgery, there may be swelling, bruising, reduced sensation, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, soft tissue sagging, a secondary angle (re-protrusion of the square jaw), jaw joint discomfort, and the possibility of revision surgery. Results vary from person to person, and expectations may differ from the actual change, so please review the range of expected change with a 3D simulation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory changes, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
04What are the anesthesia and hospital stay like for V-line surgery?
The procedure takes about 1–1.5 hours under general anesthesia, with a 1–2 day hospital stay. At The Barunface, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, personally provides your care.
05Can I have V-line surgery in Busan instead of Seoul?
We do not claim that we are unconditionally better than a large hospital in Seoul. However, at The Barunface in Seomyeon, Busan, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon trained at Seoul National University Dental Hospital and Asan Medical Center in Seoul personally handles your consultation, 3D surgical planning, surgery, private-room recovery, and follow-up care. If a problem arises after surgery, you can check directly with your operating surgeon nearby. Stories from patients who considered Seoul but chose Busan are on the 'Orthognathic Surgery: Do I Need to Go to Seoul?' page.
06How long is V-line surgery, and is a hospital stay needed?
About 2 hours, with a 1–2 day hospital stay.
07Is the skin incised?
We approach from inside the mouth without cutting the facial skin. The degree of recovery varies from person to person.
08When does the swelling go down?
Major swelling lasts 1–2 weeks, residual swelling 1–3 months, and the final jawline settles in 3–6 months.
09Will I have reduced sensation?
Sensation in the lower lip and chin may be temporarily dulled, and it recovers in most cases. In rare cases, some numbness may remain.
10What does V-line surgery cost?
Based on the fee schedule, Mini V-Line (square jaw + chin) is KRW 6,000,000, Contouring Type 2 is KRW 8,000,000, and Contouring Type 3 is KRW 11,000,000 (VAT not included). Anesthesia and hospitalization fees are separate.
11Can it be done together with orthognathic (double jaw) surgery?
It is possible, and it is often performed together for patients with a long face or a prominent lower jaw (underbite). Surgery time and swelling increase.
12What about the pins after V-line surgery?
The chin fixation plate is usually left in place. If you wish, it can be removed after 6 months.
13Can it be combined with Botox?
For those with thick jaw muscles, Botox is used before and after surgery to soften the jawline further.
V-Line Surgery Cases
These photos are published with the patients' consent. Photographing conditions may not be exactly the same, and results vary from person to person.
Costs and what to know before your visit
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Chin surgery | 40010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| Square jaw surgery | 50010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| Mini V-line surgery (square jaw + chin) | 60010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| 2-type contouring (square jaw + chin) | 80010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
| 3-type contouring (cheekbone + square jaw + chin) | 1,10010,000 KRW · VAT not included |
Based on the non-covered fee schedule published by the director. The total cost varies depending on the extent of surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay, and tests. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis.
Costs · Insurance
Facial contouring surgery is not covered by insurance (non-reimbursed), and VAT is charged separately. Base prices for each area are published in the non-reimbursed fee schedule, and anesthesia, hospitalization, and examination fees are added. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis. View non-covered fee schedule
Side effects · Precautions
After contouring surgery, there may be swelling, bruising, reduced sensation, bleeding, infection, asymmetry, soft tissue sagging, a secondary angle (re-protrusion of the square jaw), jaw joint discomfort, and the possibility of revision surgery. Results vary from person to person, and expectations may differ from the actual change, so please review the range of expected change with a 3D simulation before surgery. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, sensory changes, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
This information complies with the Medical Service Act and medical advertising review standards, and treatment results and recovery may vary from person to person. Please make your decision only after consulting with a specialist.
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This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed