Can I Have A Medpor Chin Implant Revision?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in chin implant revision. I had a chin implant done (via inside mouth) ten years ago. II think it was Medpor, 3mm. Profile is great. From the front view – one side is lovely, but the other side is way too long for my face. It’s put my whole face out of sync. I read that it is hard to remove Medpor, and it is great from side view, and one half of the front view – so, I am wondering if it’s possible to go in and shave down one side a little, to make it more even and smaller on that side. Also, what downtime would be like for this? Is this something you would be happy to do?

A: Medpor facial implants are difficult to remove due to tissue adherence but not impossible. But if you are happy with most aspects of your chin implant then it should be modified in place rather than removing it. Medpor is much easier to trim/shave once it has been in placed for awhile as the material softens slightly with tissue ingrowth. The easiest way to do your chin implant revision in which the goal is to trim one side of the chin implant which is vertically long is to do it from below (small submental incision) which provides the most direct access. This would also have the easiest and quickest recovery. It can be done, of course, also from an intraoral approach as well if the submental scar is a potential concern.