What happens to the muscles after cheek implant removal?

Question

I got medium-size malar silicone cheek implants (3.5mm projection) and opted to remove them 8 months later. Happy with the removal decision- it's been 3 months & while healing has been ok, I'm curious: 1. How long does it take for all swelling (internal) to resolve (i.e. all back to normal)? 2. What happens to the cheek muscles? do they reattach to the bone again?! 3. What happens to the capsule that was formed? Just want to make sure I recover entirely smoothly and go back to pre implant state.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

All cheek implants stretch out the tissues to some degree, most of which will shrink back down particularly if the implants are not too big. But some patients will develop a soft tissue sag or flattening over the cheek area where the implants used to be. The capsule will eventually be resorbed. If you see no adverse facial changes after three monts, you are likely in the clear from any adverse effects of the implant removals.

Sean Freeman, MD · Answer

Curious_Inquirer, I've put in over 300 implants over the past 25 years but have only removed 4 from my patients. I only had one who insisted that she looked different then before although I could not see the difference and nor could my staff. Anecdotal evidence from conversations with other physicians and my own experience suggests that you have nothing to fear. Hope you are staying warm! Good luck!

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear Curious_Inquirer,

Your questions are excellent. 
When a cheek implant is removed, there is a capsule on the implant that
will collapse on itself and make and become a fine film of tissue and will not
negatively impact upon the feel or the volume of your soft tissue in any way,
shape or form.  In general, if there is
normal wound healing after the removal of the implant, the inside-of-the-mouth
incisions will heal over several weeks and can be almost imperceptible to
examination, but may leave some palpable thickening when you run your finger
along the upper aspect of your gum line. The muscles – the zygomaticus major and minor, the levator labii superioris
– all muscles that run from the upper cheek down to the upper lip and provide
animation to the lip, when the cheek implant is removed sometimes foreshorten
and it takes time for the attachment and muscle strength to return.  It is not abnormal during cheek augmentation
or cheek elevation procedures, when these muscles are disturbed, to have subtle
asymmetries and abnormalities of smile and upper lip function.  Generally, over 12 to 14 months,
re-enervation and strengthening of these muscles as they reattach themselves to
the bone will occur and normal symmetrical movement will be present.

Finally, sensation is sometimes disturbed and numbness to the
upper lip can ensue after insertion or removal of cheek implants.  Again, this normally returns to normal
sensory function by 12 to 14 months.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and best
of luck.

For more information, please refer to the link below.

Sincerely,

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

What happens to the muscles after cheek implant removal?

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What happens to the muscles after cheek implant removal?

Answers (3)

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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.