How Can I Restore A Medpor Chin Implant To Its Original Form?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I had a surgery recently that was supposed to correct some unevenness of my native chin bone (underneath my chin), but found out afterward that the surgeon cut off one corner of my medpor chin implant rather than file the bone. I was happy with the placement and size of the implant and given that I have already had revision surgery and the risks associated with removing medpor, I wonder if it’s possible to simply replace/ restore the material that was removed rather than replace the whole implant. The surgeon who did this seems unwilling to help (and I honestly don’t trust him anymore anyway), but its hard to find anyone else who is knowledgable about Medpor, so I’m unsure about restoration. Also, if I had to replace it, would removal and replacement with a silicone implant be advisable in the same surgery? Some surgeons have wanted to take it out and let it heal for six months before replacing it. I want to avoid two surgeries, and obviously going six months with a deflated chin would seriously impact my social and work life. Thank you.

A: It would seem most logical to simply replace the missing segment of the Medpor material….if you knew exactly where and what amount of material was removed.

The second approach would be to remove and replace with the identical chin implant that was revised.

Removing and then awaiting any period of time for replacement is to put it succinctly….insane.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana