Plastic Surgery and HIV. Am I a Good Candidate?

It is certainly acceptable to undergo a chin implant being HIV positive, however it is important to have your HIV physician give clearance prior to undergoing elective cosmetic surgery. A chin implant can be inserted through a submental incision and placed directly over the bone underneath the periosteum under local anesthesia and most patients tolerate it very well. Perioperative antibiotics are also given to prevent infection.

As long as your counts are good, there is no evidence that cosmetic surgery (even including an implant) is associated with higher risks of infections and complications in HIV patients. I have done numerous chin and other facial procedures on HIV patients and have never seen a postoperative problem with them. Chin augmentation is a fairly simple procedure and if it makes you feel better about yourself then you should go for it. You just need to find a doctor who is comfortable with the... more

This is a great question. In many cases, HIV is being treated as a chronic disease similar to hypertension, high cholesterol or heart disease. With good medication management and healthy living, the disease is being very effectively managed. If your viral load is well controlled and you are healthy enough to undergo surgery, then you are a good candidate. I would be very upfront with potential surgeons about your concerns. If they're not comfortable operating on you, they will let you know... more