Can My Chin Implant Be Removed After 18 Months?

Q:  Dr. Eppley, I had a medpor chin implant placed in me about 18 months ago.  I would like this removed and replaced with a smaller implant for several reasons (mechanical problems and aesthetic reasons).  Can you remove the implant given the time frame I have had it? Thank you for your time.

A: Despite the fact that the Medpor material does allow for some superficial tissue ingrowth, it is by no means impossible or even that difficult to remove. The material gets the reputation for being difficult to remove as it is compared to silicone, which has a smooth and slippery surface which slides in and out of tissue pockets quite easily. But Medpor facial implants can be removed, it just requires a little more surgical effort and sometimes removing the old implant in pieces. The chin implant being in place 18 months does not impact the removal process anymore than if it was there 18 weeks or 18 years. Tissue ingrowth into the material occurs rapidly and very early after implantation. It does not get worse with longer times of implantation and, contrary to many opinions, does not get any bony ingrowth into it either. Since the tissue ingrowth just occurs into the outer layers of material, it does not get deeper or penetrate further beyojd a certain point.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana