Can I Get Better Hip Implant Results?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had hip implants placed  and you can visibly see they’re not long enough or wide enough and aren’t the right shape or size for my hip area. I would like new hip implants to be thicker, longer and wider. Covering the entirety of my hip area and wrapping around the back as much as possible. 

A: Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. I would have to now some more information about your hip implants (dimensions, when placed, surgical incision location) but I can certainly see your concerns/objectives. These are hip implants that are isolated to the subiliac hollow area of which the outlines of the implants can be seen.

While the aesthetic outcome of the hip augmentation may be less than ideal, it is important to recognize that they were placed and have healed uneventfully without medical complications (infection, chronic seromas). When you consider replacing such implants for a larger and improved result those surgical risks are going to be reincurred and you may or may not be so fortunate the next time.  While this is relevant to all implants it is particularly poignant in hip implants which have the highest complication rates of all aesthetic body implants due to their more superficial tissue pocket location.

Thus in considering hip implant replacements with a focus on trying to minimize these risks it is important to not get ‘greedy’…meaning keep the replacement implants reasonable in surface area coverage and thickness. Don’t try to make them do too much. Some more is better, a lot more could be disastrous.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon