Chin Implant

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had two sessions of Sculptra and one session of Radisse fillers earlier this year in January. In early April of this year, I had a chin implant with an incision in the mouth. After the chin implant, my chin and sides swelled up and hardened. It’s been over a week and can’t seem to bring the swelling down. Could this be due to the Sculptra and Radisse fillers that I had earlier this year? If so, what can I do to bring it down.

A: If I interpret your inquiry properly you had a chin implant placed just one week ago. It is perfectly normal to have considerable swelling after such a chin augmentation procedure that will take up to six weeks after surgery to completely go away. As a general rule, 50% of the swelling goes down by 10 days, 75% by three weeks, 90% by 6 weeks and 100% by three months after surgery. The fact that you have had prior fillers in your face has nothing to do with the swelling that you are experiencing now. There is also nothing you can do to hasten this natural healing process. I would have assumed that your surgeon reviewed the typical swelling and tissue firmness that occurs after any facial implant and the protracted time that it takes to resolve.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapois, Indiana