Should I expect any complications after chin implant removal? 18 months since initial procedure, 23 y/o

Thank you for your question. When the implant is removed, in general, it is helpful to suspend the chin tissues, so there’s less tendency for ptosis. This is usually possible when the access is through the mouth.

The age does play a role, but it is not the only factor. If the implant used was silicone, there is capsule formation which is a smooth and slippery tissue. This tissue can be partially removed to enhance the tendency of the layers to stick together. In the absence of any attempt to help the layers to stick together, there is a possibility of slight gliding downwards of the chin tissues, even in someone young but probably less than later in life.

Using a chin support garment after chin implant removal can also potentially help.

If the implant is porous after removal, the tissue has a tendency to stick together. Wearing the garment for the first week after the surgery can still help to control the position of the soft tissues.

Your age and the amount of time that has passed since the implant was placed will determine the recovery. It is possible that the soft tissue returns to pre-surgical aesthetics but there can still be differences. The size of the implant also plays a role. Would you consider replacing the large implant with a smaller one? If the idea of an implant is troublesome, you might want to consider a sliding genioplasty.

Besides the removal of silicone implant, an experienced surgeon would try to fix soft tissues in the desired position to prevent ptosis; of course, nobody can give you guarantees that ptosis will not happen. This is an issue that is best discussed with your surgeon ahead of surgery. Good luck.

Most patients get disappointed when they get their chin implant removed, because it can look saggy and take away the support for the lower lip, which can then sag too. Chin implants can also push the bone back a little bit and therefore when your take the chin implant out it can be worse than what you started with but there is cases where it’s possible to go back to a pre-operative state.

Best of luck !

No one can promise you that you will return exactly the way you were from removing a chin implant that’s been in place for one and a half years. For one thing every year causes some inherent facial changes.
If your circle and you want the implant removed, then you don’t have much of a choice than to move forward and realize that the result will be what they are. Removing the implant is not a high finesse procedure.If you know you want the implant removed then you should probably move forward with your intended surgery.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD