Will a facelift be complicated 4 years after cheek implants removal?

Question

I had cheek implants placed years ago. I only had them for about 3-4 months, then had them removed. It has been approximately 4 years since then, but I’m interested in getting a facelift. Will my history of cheek implant/removal cause complications getting a facelift?

Bianca Knoll, MD · Answer

thank you for your question. Check implants are often placed onto the malar bone by using an incision through the mouth. If this is the case in your situation, the cheek implant removal would have an minimal effect on a planned facelift procedure. Even if a deep plane facelift procedure is performed, the tissue that is being moved and redrapped is overlying the malar (cheek) bone .    I hope this helps.

Jeffrey Lisiecki, MD · Answer

It depends on exactly where the cheek implants were and how they were placed, but its not likely to pose a significant challenge--implants typically go right above the bone, not in the plane where the facelift would be happening.

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

In general there should be no issue in undergoing a facelift in a person who used to have cheek implants. Even if there is a little scar tissue, it's in a different plane than where the facelift dissection is being carried out. Be sure to see a facelift expert for consultation.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

The facelift is performed at a more superficial plane and will not interfere with your previous cheek implants; unless the pocket from your implants was severely thickened and fibrosed. I would suggest doing the facelift with an experienced surgeon - we perform these routinely.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Mark Beaty, MD · Answer

In most cases, a prior cheek implant and its removal will not prevent you from being a good candidate for a facelift—especially in experienced hands. Your surgeon may encounter some scar tissue from the previous procedures, but this is typically manageable for a board-certified plastic surgeon or a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with extensive facelift experience. I would also recommend obtaining the operative notes from your cheek implant placement and removal, as this information can be helpful during your consultation and surgical planning.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

The simple answer is : don't worry, you should not have any major issues in the right hands. The reason: the plane of dissection for cheek implant placement (if performed correctly) is subperiosteal, or on top of the lining of the bone.  The plane of dissection for a modern facelift is subcutaneous and sub-SMAS, unaffected by prior cheek implant placement. The really important thing is to see a Facelift expert that performs beautiful work, who will likely have come across this and more complicated scenarios.

Steve Laverson, MD, FACS · Answer

Assuming your surgeon is qualified and experienced, NO, previously placed and removed cheek implants should not complicate face lift at all.  Cheek implants are usually silicone or porous polyethylene and placed in the sub-periosteal plane directly upon your zygoma bone.  Facelift is a more superficial procedure involving skin, fat, and musculo-fascial layers.  Depending on how the implants were inserted (transorbital or transoral) your surgeon may encounter some residual fibrosis (scar tissue) related to implant placement and removal but that is typical during many facelift procedures, particularly secondary or tertiary facelift.

Will a facelift be complicated 4 years after cheek implants removal?

Answers (7)

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