Should My Chin Implant Be Removed?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a 55 year old female located in Oklahoma. I recently had a small button chin implant removed after 30 years along with a neck lift. My surgeon replaced it with a large terino chin implant. I was not expecting it to be so large. It was very uncomfortable and the wings pulled downward. After a great deal of pain, my surgeon removed it and replaced it with a medium anatomical implant. This implant is off center with the midline on the right corner of my chin. It is also under the skin and not the periosteum. My surgeon said that it must have shifted but I don’t think the midline was ever centered. Anyhow, it does not stay in position and it falls below my jawline. I am having to hold or push it back it to position constantly.

My first implant never gave me any issues. It stayed in place and didn’t move.

My surgeon said he would remove it but he would not replace it. I don’t know if I should let him remove it as I’m sure my chin will sag.

Or, should I have another surgeon replace it at the same time that it is removed?

Can you advise? Thank you!

A: I am not sure what the compelling motivation was for the original chin implant removal and replacement but not that such a large implant pocket exists and the implant is not secured with screws….it is going toi move around. This is the result of downsizing from a larger implant where the ligamentous attachments have been released. (and they don’t reattach)

Given that you have always had a chin implant there siomply removing it will ljkely create some chin pad sag. I would replace it with a more appropriate chin implant (no wings) and secure it into position with microscrews to an end to this chin implant saga.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon