Does Cheek Implant Removal Have Minimal Recovery?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have had cheek implants for four months now and dislike them and want cheek implant removal. I’m sure this is a common story. The implants are Design M Malar by Medpor and I would like them removed by yourself. I had a bad experience with my surgeon and don’t want to return. Would removal be straightforward and would recovery be minimal? Thanks so much for your help.

A: It is certainly not the first time I have seen ‘buyer’s remorse’ after cheek implant surgery. That does not make cheek implants a bad procedure, just one that may not have oived up to one’s expectations for a variety of reasons. Removal of Medpor cheek implants, like any type of cheek implants, can be done. But unlike silicone cheek implants, whose removal would be very easy, quick and with minimal recovery, the removal of Medpor cheek implants is more difficult due to the tissue ingrowth. The ‘difficulty’ of their removal is a relative one given that silicone facial implant removal is so easy. While Medpor cheek implant removal procedure is straightforward, I would not necessarily call the recovery ‘minimal’. It is best to think of it as about 75% of the original cheek implantation procedure.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana