Can I remove Medpor polyethylene infraorbital rim implants? (Photo)

Medpor implants can be more difficult to remove than silicone implants. When they are placed along the bones of the cheek this is generally a safer location to perform surgery and removal is possible with relatively low risk. The question is whether you will need fillers, fat grafting or replacement with silicone cheek implants in order to provide a natural cheek form. I would start with a CT scan to determine there location along the cheek bones then discuss the multiple treatment options. In some cases, the implants can be removed and fat grafting or fillers can be placed. Good luck

Removing Mediport implants is far more tricky than removing solid silicone implants. Medpor implants are porous and designed that way on purpose. This allows tissue to grow into the implant embedding it solidly with scar tissue adherence to the surrounding structures.Hopefully in removing the implant the surgeon would find a natural tissue plan that allows removal of the implant without removing or damaging surrounding tissues. This includes the orbicularis oculi muscle. Most likely the implant is fairly deep to this muscle. It might be challenging to remove the implant with the same size incision as well. The good news is that incisions in this area tend to heal really well.There is a procedure called a mid face lift. It was really popular in the 1990s and early 2000’s. As we got better fillers and facial fat transfer got better perfected this procedure went out of vogue. In particular because the recovery is pretty intense and it’s a fairly invasive procedure. It does however given amazing results for restoring or increasing cheek volume especially in the tear trough area.  During the procedure the soft tissue of the face or separated from the facial skeleton as sutures are used to suspend or pull up the soft tissues to heal it in a higher position on the mid face. Separating the tissues and something called the subperiosteal plane leads to a fair amount of swelling after the procedure. That’s the worst aspect of this procedure. It can give striking results. You could also work with fillers or fat transfer. All of these can give a great results and much depends on The provider.This may all be way above what you need.most likely the best approach is to remove the implants, let you heal up then make an assessment six months later to see what you look like.there are definitely risks involved though in the hands of a skilled surgeon you should be fine. Risks include things like ectropion’s or a downpull of the lower eyelid.In regards to mid facelifts I know that Michael Elaine and Malcolm Paul in orange county both did lots of these with excellent results. I don’t think you should need to travel too far. I would start locally and find some of the top-notch plastic surgeons who have extensive experience with facial surgery in your area.look for senior plastic surgeons who had years of experience and focus either their entire career or a large part of the practice is devoted to facial aesthetic surgery. This could potentially also include facial plastic surgeons who have a different background than plastic surgeons.Best, Mats Hagstrom MD