Will A Chin Implant Replacement Make My Chin Look Less Boxy?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am inquiring about chin implant replacement. I had a Medpor chin implant placed six months ago. As time has gone by with healing,and my face has slimmed down a bit, the chin implant looks too boxy.  Here are some questions I have:

1. Could removal of the medpor implant cause any damage, or unsightly scarring?  That’s why we wanted to explore shaving it while still attached. It just sounded so much easier than ripping it out, and possibly causing problems with the underlying bone, etc.

2.  The implant that was put in was much more square than my original chin and I was never happy with it but was encouraged to give it the “time” test.  Time only made things worse. My worry now is upon removal is the stretching that has occurred in the skin and tissues.  Would there possibly be sagging if we go to a smaller implant?

3.. If we sent you some pictures, is it possible to only come out there one time — for the surgery?

4. Finally, I should mention that I am a cleft lip and palate patient who went in for a rhinoplasty (which we’ve already had a revision), and the doctor suggested the chin augmentation. We agreed it needed to be done, but we got WAY too much of a good thing.  Thanks so much for your expertise and advice.

A: Having removed numerous Medpor chin implants, I have found them not unduly difficult to remove or particularly destructive to the surrounding tissues. It is always helpful to know what style and size Medpor chin implant was removed beforehand to plan for its replacement and to choose a more smaller more feminine type of chin implant design.

I rarely would advise trying to modify a Medpor chin implant in place as that usually does not turn out well. The access and visibility is difficult and asymmetry of some kind is often the result. Most of the Medpor chin implants that I have removed and replaced have that exact history…initial placement and subsequent revision (with asymmetry) and now they want it removed and replaced.

As long as some type of chin implant replacement is done, soft tissue sagging is not usually a concern. It is the total removal and no replacement where that is more of a potential issue.

This is the type of procedure where you come the day before to meet, have surgery and return home the next day. There are no other visits needed beforehand or after. Any follow-up can be done by phone, e-mail or Skype.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana