Is it true that if you hate your chin implant and want a smaller one you must remove it first, heal and then replace? (photo)

Question

I had a large implant placed in my chin one month ago and it feels and looks way to large. Why can't they replace it on the same day they remove it?

Bahman Guyuron, MD · Answer

A chin implant with a suboptimal outcome can be treated in one of two ways. It can either be replaced with a properly shaped implant immediately after its removal or the implant is removed all together and the chin flaw is corrected with a sliding osteotomy, meaning by moving the chin bone forward, backward or sideway, whatever is going to provide a pleasing outcome, again, immediately after removal of the implant. The only time that we remove the implant and wait for the healing to occur is in the presence of an infection. It seems to me that your implant is either large in every direction or implant is used while an osteotomy would have served you the best, since you may have had vertical excess and horizontal deficiency, based on the classification of the chin imperfections that I have described. You need to consult someone with sufficient experience in this topic since reversal of the implant or conversion to an osteotomy requires extra finesse to minimize the potential for dimpling and witches chin deformity.Good Luck

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Different surgeons may have different preferences for how to time removing and replacing a chin implant.  In my opinion, it would be fine to remove a chin implant and replace it with a smaller one at the same time.  The only instance in which I would wait to replace the implant would be if an infection were present.  Since you are only one month out from your chin augmentation procedure, there still would be some expected swelling present.  The appearance of your chin will continue to change over the next several months, as it can take 3-6 months to get a better idea of the final result.  You may consider waiting a bit longer before changing the size.

Laxmeesh Mike Nayak, MD · Answer

Unless infection is or some other extenuating circumstance is present, I think it is perfectly reasonable to place a smaller implant during the same operation as removing a larger one. As for your question about whether your current model is too big, I really can't assess it from one smiling picture. What is most important is if you feel it is too big, and don't like it, that's what matters.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many chin augmentations over the past 30 years using chin implants.  IMHO, surgeons would have differing opinions on whether to wait for the area to close down after removing a larger chin implant before placing a smaller one or not waiting.  I would probably not make the patient wait and would replace the chin implant with a smaller one at the same time.  I have done this on numerous occasions for both cheek and chin implant replacement when the original implants where placed by other surgeons.  Having said all this, it's best to wait until you're healed form the original chin implant surgery so the results are evident and the tissues are more easilly dissected should a smaller chin implant be desired.Hope this helps.

Is it true that if you hate your chin implant and want a smaller one you must remove it first, heal and then replace? (photo)

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