Chin Implant 3 weeks post-op,infection set in yesterday. How did this happen?

More likely than not the bacteria were introduced at the time of surgery or you developed a small fluid collection after surgery that was then colonized by bacteria. Infection is a known risk of chin implant procedures but thankfully not common. A course of antibiotics is definitely warranted but in some cases the implant needs to be removed to eliminate the infection. I hope you heal quickly.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Dear Marv, Since you state your swelling never really went down after the chin implant we can possibly think that there was some blood/fluid or commonly called hematoma/seroma around the implant that may have lead to the infection. The secondary scenario is that the infection was introduced at the time of the surgery. This is more common in the intra oral approach. I would speak with your surgeon regarding his/her recommended treatment and follow up frequently until you are well healed. Wishing you a quick recovery. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.

I'm sorry to hear of your complication, but it can be managed and in the end you can still have a very nice result. Infections of facial implants are a known and accepted risk, but luckily are infrequent. The infection can be introduced at the time of surgery, but I doubt that happened as it didn't appear for 3 weeks. More likely there was a seroma or hematoma (a fluid collection) around the implant and blood born bacteria settled into the fluid. I think the best course is to get the implant out quickly, undergo antibiotic treatment, and have a new implant replaced in 3-6 months.