Can Alloderm Be Removed From The Nasolabial Folds and How Should It Be Replaced?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am at wits end. 🙁 I had goretex implants in nasal-labial folds about 12 yrs ago. They capsulated shortly after and I looked hideous. So I've been filling around them for years even had a face lift. Finally, about 6 months ago I had them removed and replaced with Alloderm.. It looks worse!!! One side is hard and they both show thru the skin. The company will not give me info. Can they be successfully removed??? Today, I am having Ultherapy in hopes of tightening to minimize the awful protrusions.:((I used to be a model and now I can't even look in a mirror)

A: I see no problem with easily removing Alloderm. It does not usually incorporate much into the surrounding tissues. It gets encapsulated, almost like your original Gore-tex implants, which is why it contracted and became distorted. In hindsight, that probably was not the best choice for a replacement for the Gore-tex as it did exactly what could have been predicted in that situation. I would not expect Ultherapy to make any difference. That approach is a hopeful but flawed concept.  A much better replacement once they are removed would be dermal-fat grafts or fat injections, a natural tissue that will heal into the surrounding tissues adding volume and will not develop contractures.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana