Can My Large Medpor Chin Implant Be Shaved Down?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I would like to discuss the benefit and risk involved with shaving down an existing Medpor chin implant. I’ve been informed that removing it to replace with a custom implant, can cause tissue damage. The implant has been in place for about 1 year. I’ve also been informed that shaving down the medpor implant in place could cause damage to surrounding tissue. The current Medpor implant is too large and square, and the lateral wings are palpable which I don’t like. The current projection of 3mm is OK for my face. I found an ideal custom chin implant without lateral wings, on your website.

A:As a general rule don’t ever try to shave down a Medpor chin implant in place. That is not going to work well and it is a flawed concept. Given the nature of your concerns with your current implant shape the most effective strategy s to remove it in its entirety and replace it with an improved implant design. I don’t know where the concept of concerns about tissue damage come from as they are completely irrelevant. Scar will exist in and around the implant and manipulation of that scar is just part of the surgery.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon