Do Surgeons Usually Charge for Chin Implant Removal?

Question

I 100% just don't like my chin implant. I thought about this carefully. It might make my profile look better but I do not like the frontal view, plain and simple. It's my life. Do surgeons usually charge for removal if nothing is wrong? I want it out sooner than later. How soon is too soon? Are there exceptions to the usual wait time? I'm leaving the country at 8 weeks post-op so it needs to be out before then.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Chin Implant removal information/and considerations: For the vast majority of chin implants, removal is straight  forward most commonly using the  same incision that was used to place it. The procedure is often done in the office with local anesthesia with or without some sedation, but also commonly done in the OR under IV sedation or general anesthesia per patient's and surgeon's preference.  Most implants are silicone and are not adherent so slip out readily. Medpor, also called PTFE, may have tissue ingrowth and can be a bit more involved but still can be removed in the same manner.  It is very helpful for your surgeon to  review your prior surgical records to know the size and type of implant used. This may be obtained by contacting your prior surgeon's office or OR facility and request your prior surgical records.
Expectations: if the chin implant was small and removed within the first few years chances are likely that you will return a similar size and shape as before. If the implant was small, the chin soft tissue usually shrinks back down without  sagging.  Often, there is still some gain once the implant is removed due to the scarring and capsule (lining your body makes around the implant) that gives some benefit. On the other hand a large implant placed many years ago, and other factors such as being elderly, having osteoporosis and perhaps smoking that can cause loss of underlying bone due to  bony erosion from the pressure of the implant. In this case  use of a natural filler such your fat or at times a bone graft may recommended for different reasons. Your surgeon may request a  Panorex or lateral cephalometric x-ray to see if this is the case.  Temporary fillers can also be tried such as Jeuvederm, Sculptra, Voluma, Volbella, etc. 
Most important of all make sure you pick a plastic surgeon with great expertise in #chinaugmentation and #chinimplantremoval. 
See the below link on how best to choose your surgeon.

William Bruno, MD · Answer

Removal of a chin implant can often times be done under local aneshesia and the fee is dependent upon your surgeon. You may want to wait a bit longer to know for sure if you really want the implant removed. Ask your surgeon if there is a facility fee or anesthesia fee involved. You always have the right to have any implant removed, just be sure this is the right thing for you.

	If you have another surgeon remove it, there will likely be a small fee involved.

	Best wishes,

	Dr.Bruno

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

I read your concern. It sounds like you're less than 2 mos. post-op and you're dissatisfied by the appearance of your chin implant.  You're certainly still somewhat swollen, and it may be to your advantage to leave it in for a few months before having it removed.

	I have had a few of my own patients that wanted their chin implants removed even though I felt they looked acceptable. In these patients, I did the removal at no charge. The patients had a small anesthesiology / facility fee for the 30 minute procedure. If you have a silicone implant, that is the easiest to remove.

	I hope this is helpful for you.

	Regards from NJ:

Lawrence Kass, MD · Answer

I am sorry you are not happy with your new chin implant.  Certainly, the final cosmetic results of your recent surgery are not yet known.  It is not reasonable to ask your surgeon to bear all of the costs of your change of heart.  Nevertheless, your surgeon would likely wish to make you happy and may be willing to work with you.  I suggest that you approach the doctor and ask if he would be willing to do this for you without additional professional fees if you offer to pay all of the fixed costs of having an additional surgery.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

I am sorry you don't like your new appearance. Since you're leaving the country at 8 weeks post-op, it is safe to assume you are at a point of time less than that right now, meaning you DO still have swelling that will go down and that you are assessing an appearance that is not yet "final."

	I assume pre-operatively you thought about having a chin implant carefully, so anybody hearing that you now want it out after thinking about it "carefully" would naturally be a bit skeptical. Asking your surgeon to do a "free" removal means you would be asking him or her to bear the financial cost (the OR, anesthesia, tools, medicines, and everybody's time still have a true "cost") for your inability to decide what you really want.

	In other words, unless your surgeon "talked you into" a chin implant and/or gave the surgery to you for "free," you presumably wanted and paid for a chin implant. Of course, nobody knew exactly how things would look until the work was done and everything healed (and you're not at that point yet just a few weeks after surgery). But my point is, should your surgeon believe you now? Or should he have simply refused to do what you asked and paid for in the first place, saving everybody the time and cost of a two operations for the price of one?

	Bottom line, some of us would not charge for a local anesthesia implant removal, but that would be a true gift that you have no right to ask for. Most of us would charge for OR, anesthesia, and supplies, but not charge a surgeon's fee--in essence giving our time aways for free (when we could be using the time to earn an honest wage from a "paying" patient). Some might charge for a second surgery that is entirely your choice, as nothing was done wrong or different from what you asked for initially. Ultimately, most of us want to be treated fairly and not have an dissatisfied patient spreading bad "word of mouth" about us!

	The sooner the better, because your tissues may stretch and sag after implant removal. BTW, who pays for replacing the implant if you find out that you look even worse now that the implant is out and you like the resultant "look" even less. It is not a guarantee that you will return to you pre-chin implant appearance!

	Only you and your surgeon know where the reality lies, and you have to decide what it is you really want and if you are ready to pay for that. Perhaps waiting is not such a bad idea after all?

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Do Surgeons Usually Charge for Chin Implant Removal?

Answers (6)

Answer: Who pays for a questionably necessary surgical revision? It depends!

Answer: Who pays for a questionably necessary surgical revision? It depends!

Answer: Now she wants chin implant out--who pays?

Answer: Now she wants chin implant out--who pays?

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Chin Implant

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