Is it operator error for my cheek implant to be floating in my face?

Question

I got cheek implants over a year ago and I was told it would take a year for all swelling to go down. After 9 months I called my doctor and told him the left side hadn't changed size since summer and he said, "huh". 3 doctors I went to said they have never seen this before. The CT said it is floating, surrounded with scar tissue, and nowhere near my actual cheek bone. Was this the doc's botch job or bad luck?

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

Your doctor got one right so clearly he/she knows how to do a cheek implant. One ended up off the bone.  Healing issues can occur.  This sounds like a pretty easy fix.  I would imagine this can be adjusted right in the office in about 20 minutes.

Thomas Spalla, MD · Answer

Implants are placed by creating a pocket and sliding the implant into that pocket over the desired area of augmentation. 
Some surgeons place the implant into a snug pocket to avoid migration. If the pocket is too large, the implant can slide out of place. If it's too small, there can be too much pressure on the area, and the implant can extrude through the incision site.
To avoid this, many surgeons fixate the implant with 2-point fixation to avoid migration and rotation.

Is it operator error for my cheek implant to be floating in my face?

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Is it operator error for my cheek implant to be floating in my face?

Answers (2)

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Cheek Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.