How Can I Improve The Edging Of My Hip Implants?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I have hip implants but they don’t look natural. You can see the contour of the entire perimeter of the implants. I have had them revised and the revision did not conceal the edges of the implants. Two questions: 

1. Could sculptra be used to surround the hip implants and soften their edges so that my curves are nice and smooth? 

2. Could fat injections or flap surgery be used to cover the hip implants and soften their edges so that my curves are nice and smooth? 

Looking forward to your feedback.

A: You have three options to treat hip implant edging. 1) Injectable filler or fat injections, 2) reposition the implant under the capsule that currently exists (improved soft tissue cover) or 3) improve the edge shape of the implant. (some implants do not have a true beveled feathered edge) Since I don’t know what hip implants were used in you I can say how that would apply to you. In my experience #2 alone possibly combined with a better implant shape usually improves/solves the problem.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana