How simple/complicated is cheek implant removal? Should I choose a doctor based on availability or experience? (photo)

Removal of cheek implants is straight forward for a surgeon that frequently places them. They can also be removed in the office with local anesthesia. However, your best bet will be to choose the surgeon in whom you have the most confidence. If it means waiting two months to get the result that you desire, it is worth waiting. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

In general, removal of cheek implants is not a very complicated procedure.  I would choose the surgeon with whom you feel most comfortable performing the procedure rather than based on the timing of the surgery.  I would also just mention that without examining you, it is difficult to know if removing the implants will resolve all of your issues with the lip shape and eye bags.  

 Cheek implant removal is usually very simple and straightforward in most cases. It would be important to know  what material the implant is composed of such a Silastic, or Medpor. Medpor implants are typically screwed in, therefore a very specific screwdriver will be required to remove them. Silastic  cheek implants are usually inserted in the pocket and not screwed in so they can easily be removed under a very brief general anesthetic.

I believe you should have someone with experience remove your implants.  I'm not sure how long you've had them in, but not panic!  I have been performing cheek implant surgery for over 20 years.  You are young, and your removal should go well.  I would go to someone with experience so there is minimal scarring inside the mouth.

I am one of the few surgeons in my area that does cheek implants and also one of the few who has experience removing them. I can tell you what may seem easy is often very difficult. In spite of being able to feel the implants from the outside during surgery they can be hard to find, and if so cause damage to the muscle and surrounding tissues while looking around. Surgeons who have experience with this will cause much less tissue trauma when removing the implants and the healing will go much faster. When quickly found, the implants are usually simple to remove if not screwed in or permanently fixed to the bone ( which must be known beforehand ). Also most of the unnatural look may be attributed to past tissue trauma and poor placement of the implants which should be flat against the malar bone only...not floating in the tissues. Above all please see a surgeon with experience in this   ......even if you need to wait a little longer. You need a good result all else is secondary.  Good luck...Richard Galitz MD, FACS