Bicep and Tricep Implants

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have had bicep and tricep implants. I am happy with the results apart from the prominent bottom part of the bicep implant I have circled in the attached photos. Just to clarify I’m fine with the rest of the margin been visible just not the bottom part I have circled. 

I have spoken to a couple of surgeons and the following solutions have been suggested:

1) Fat grafting was the initial suggestion but it was deemed I do not have enough fat. 

So use of Hyaluronic acid filler to hide the prominent bottom part of the bicep even if it is only temporary and will need a yearly top up was suggested. 

An amount of 10cc to 20cc using a generic non branded hyaluronic acid filler. 

However when I spoke about this solution to another surgeon he said there would be a risk of “infection” to the implant and so this is not a viable solution. Please could you let me know what your opinion is on this?

2) If I get a tattoo on the inside of the bicep would this be sufficient to create an optical illusion to make it less noticeable? 

Many thanks,

A: The combination of a non-feathered implant edge, an implant that is too long and slightly off axis from the muscle head is why that appears so. It may also appears this way as most of the distal edge of the bicep implant has come through the fascia poking right up against the skin. Filler and fat are a poor treatment options due to the risk of infection and that it will be very difficult to get them between the skin and the implant without entering the implant capsule. Viable options are to either change the implant to one with a better edge or tattoo over the exposed distal edge the implant.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana