Chin Implants Gone Wrong

It
is important for patients to be fully informed of the procedure and the
implants that will be used. Please be aware that patients are swollen for the
first 3-6 weeks, with some patients more swollen than others. The box like
appearance may or may not be the swelling of the chin. I want to encourage you
to remain patient and allow your chin incision and pocket to heal. If you are
still unhappy with your results after 3 months, perhaps the size and the shape
of the implant used was not appropriate for your face dimensions. The only
solution at that point is to take the implant out which is a relative straight
forward procedure. I encourage you to consult with a board certified
surgeon. I hope you found this information helpful.

From what you are describing it seems that the implant chosen for you is too rounded and was probably inserted without adjusting its shape.Once the swelling has settled which usually takes up to 6 months, if the shape of the chin appears too wide it is possible to do a revision and reduce the width of the implant or to replace it with an implant with a different configuration.Most Medpor implants are slightly too wide to be inserted as they come out of the box and need to be tailored to the patient's characteristics and requirements.

There are several types of chin implants and each type comes in various shapes. Pre operative computer imaging, while not perfect, is probably the best way to see what results are possible. Variations in size, width and shape, can be loosely simulated to give you, and your plastic surgeon, and idea of what you are trying to achieve.

Chin implants can be wide or narrow, large or small, rounded or square, tall or short. Some also allow intra-operative modification, and this may be possible for your implant. It is probably best to wait until all the swelling has resolved though, before making any changes, and this can take a year.

Each implant has a unique catalog number which can tell you exactly what implant was placed. Unlike breast implants, this information is not routinely given to the patient. It should be noted in your file, and I like to include the details of the implant in the operative report.

Be sure to discuss your concerns with your surgeon. Good communication is more likely to produce good results.

First, did you and the surgeon do preoperative imaging?


 I think, especially with a chin implant, that it is important that you and the surgeon agree prior to surgery on how the results should look.  Once the imaging is done, the surgeon can take those photos into the operating room and match it as closely as possible.  There is no question that a chin implant changes the look and feel of your face.  My advice is that if you are unhappy with the look of your new chin implant, unless it is utterly horrible, wait a year.  This allows the swelling to go down completely and it gives you the opportunity to get used to the new look.  If, after one year, you are still unhappy, consider going back to the operating room and trimming it down to the size  you want.  Again, preoperative imaging allows you and the surgeon to be "on the same page" with the look you are trying to achieve. 

It's possible that your chin implant could be removed and trimmed down to decrease the size, or simply be replaced.  Without the benefit of an exam, and knowing which implant size/shape you have it's difficult to give further information.

Dear Pristine, I would agree that seeing the implant is less important than ensuring that you and your surgeon are on the same page in terms of the desired result. The implants out of the package have a prominent shape that is camouflaged by your tissue. It's difficult to look at this implant and visualize its effect on the chin shape without having had significant experience with this type of implant. I would recommend that you return to your plastic surgeon and discuss your concerns. They can look at your chin, consider your concerns and, together, you can come up with a plan. Stephen Weber MD, FACS

It is much more important for the patient to relate to his/her surgeon what type of an aesthetic result is the ultimate goal, then to visually choose the type of implant to be used.  It is up to a skilled and experienced surgeon to pick the right implant to achieve the desired result.  Chin implants come in many different styles and sizes, it is not reasonable to expect the patient to make this choice.  It is important to find the right surgeon whom you can trust to deliver the results you desire.

It is possible to exchange your implant to achieve the desired result.  Make sure you explain to the surgeon clearly what you are not happy with, and what change you would like to see.

Choosing the right size and shape of chin implant is important, as is precise positioning of the implant. It is possible that your implant is not optimal but hard to comment without seeing you.

It is unlikely that your surgeon changed the implant from the one you were shown to a different one. There are circumstances when several sizes are considered and then chosen during the surgery. However, if that was the plan I am sure it would have been discussed ahead of time.
Chin implants, as with other facial implants, change the appearance of the face from all views. Although chin implants give a more profound change to the profile view, they certainly do change your appearance when seen from the front. I usually image this for patients so they understand what to expect. Usually, it does strengthen and square off the chin from the front to some degree. The amount of change in this regard depends on the size and shape of the implant, which is usually chosen in accordance with the patient's anatomy and surgical goals.
Depending on the implant type, it may or may not be easy to remove. Usually, removal is the only way to reverse the effect of the implant. Sometimes, a smaller implant can be used. These and other options should be discussed with your surgeon. Good luck!

good morning Pristine

chin implant can significantly change the way your face looks from all angles. When the patient and I are having a conversation during the consultation about the right implant for them it's all about what their goals are, what is possible, and what is safe. There's lots of different types of implants and for the most part the implants can be customized by the surgeon if they are comfortable carving the material and preparing it for that patient's face. Not every surgeon has this artistic ability and so the selection of an implant is even more critical. I would simply ask your surgeon exactly what implant was placed and to verify that ask for the LOT number sticker that comes with the implant so you both will know what type of implant was placed. One implant does not fit everyone so it's critical you and your surgeon on the same page before surgery.