Custom Cheek Implants after Zygoma Reduction Surgery

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m interested in getting cheek implants after unfavourable results from zygoma reduction surgery. I am very much interested in getting custom implants to get the most desirable results, but this would entail going overseas as no plastic surgeon offers custom implants for aesthetic purposes in my home country.

How often or what percentage of patients get an infection in one or both implants in the immediate post-op period? I have read that implants can get infected up to two or three months after the surgery, and I definitely cannot be overseas for that long. I am worried about getting implants put in and then returning to my home country and then getting an infection.

If you could please provide any insight on your experience, it would be much appreciated. Thank you for your time.

A: In my vast experience with custom facial implants, infection of cheek implants is one of the lowest. So low that I can not recall a prior case in which infection resulted in implant removal. I do recall, however, several that were resolved satisfactorily with antibiotics alone.

Because I have so many international patients, I use a special antibiotic protocol as the stakes of having problems is so much higher when patients are far away.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana