How Can I Fix My Cheek Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had cheek implants placed years ago and believe their positioning is off — they create an unnatural, harsh look rather than enhancing my natural bone structure. My primary goal is removal or repositioning to restore a more natural, balanced midface.

Clinically relevant: I can palpate the implants both intra-orally and externally along the inferior border near the lip line. There is noticeable mobility — I can feel movement when pressing from outside. This suggests possible malposition, capsular loosening, or migration.

I also want to note that the distortion I’m experiencing is documented — not self-perceived. I have professional photographs taken within the last seven months where the asymmetry and unnatural contour are clearly visible. This is a structural issue with measurable, photographic evidence, not a body image concern. I’ve included those photos for comparison alongside my current images.

A:Thank you for your inquiry and sending your pictures. When it comes to your cheek implants you are undoubtably have the classic male cheek augmentation problem. The history and design of current off-the-shelf cheek implants is largely more for females than males because of where the implants are designed to be placed and the effect that they are intended to create. By definition most standard style cheek implants are placed with a significant part of the implant off of the bone in an effort to create the apple cheek affect that many females historically have wanted. While there are some males that may see seek a similar aesthetic outcome that would only be in the minority of men in my experience. Thus the symptoms you are experiencing, a non-bony augmentation effect and being able to palpate the implants along with being able to feel the flexion of the implants is consistent with my aforementioned supposition. This can be confirmed by a 3-D CT scan which will clearly show where your implants are placed as well as their size and shape.

That being said the question is not whether you would like these implants to be removed and replaced but what should their replacements be.  Should standard style cheek implants be used and placed in a higher and total bony location or should custom design cheek implants be used? I think the definitive answer in that regard will be guided by what we learn from a 3-D CT scan. This time we have a lot more information to help guide the implant selection process since you have a known implant effect that can be completely understood.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon