Can I Have Cheek Implants Placed On Top Of Orbital Rim Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had Medpor midface rim implants placed a year ago and have had no issues so far. However, I have been considering getting a malar shell or combination submalar implant to add more contour and definition to my cheeks and midface. My only concern is that having the medpor implant would preclude this procedure. Would the cheek implants overlap the existing Medpor implant and can they be secured and screwed in over the Medpor implant? Also, would the surgery be much more difficult as I hear that Medpor implants are hard to remove, and I assume that this difficulty in removal might make it harder to create a pocket. Thank you for taking the time to read this!

A:  The simple answer to your question is that is no problem on any of those issues. The silicone malar implants can be placed and overlap the Medpor material and then secured by screw fixation into place. The pocket dissection over the top of the Medpor implants is minimally more difficult and that also is not a concern.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana