Cheek Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, It seems that I developed a cold (stuffy nose with mucus, sore throat) right after my cheek implant procedure. How likely will a common cold like this cause my cheek implants to become infected? I apologize for this inconvenience, but despite my surgeon not being too concerned, I’m still a little worried.

A: My first comment is that if you trusted your surgeon enough to undergo the operation then you should equally trust any answers he or she may provide to you about your after care. You should know that your surgeon is equally interested in a satisfactory and uncomplicated outcome.

There is no known association between the symptoms of a common cold and the development of facial implant infections even in the immediate perioperative period. Viruses are not known to cause bacterial infections. While your immune system may have some temporary ebb in its effectiveness, you should take solace in that you are probably still on antibiotics from the initial surgery as a precaution.

Your concern mah be partially based on that the cheek implants are near your maxillary sinuses. But the implants are on top of the bone and there is no actual communication between the sinuses and the implant pocket.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana