How Soon After Having My Cheek Implants Removed Can I Get Injectable Fillers?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am now 10 weeks after cheek implant removal. Implants were removed because of infection and incorrect asymmetry. I am now thinking of getting Sculptra, Radiesse or Juvederm but am getting different answers as to how long I should wait to get the injections after removal. I still have some fluid, swelling and lip numbness after 10 weeks post op. My implants were put in October 2 and removed November 2, so they were only in for one month. I am very concerned about my health and healing from this and want to wait long enough to make sure the filler injections are safe. But my face looks worse than it did before the implants. Your expertise is very much appreciated!!

A: I would agree that complete healing should take place before you place any injectable fillers, even though the tissue plane where they will be placed is differngt from that were the implants were. That would be a minimum of three months. But a better barometer rather than just raw time is when the cheeks are no longer tender and any signs of numbness has completely dissipated. In short, don’t do fillers until your cheeks feel completely normal again.

Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana