Is every case of swelling after cheeks implants indicative of infection? 3 months have passed and now my right side is swollen.

Question

There is no pain, the implant does not move and I have no fever. What should I do? I will note that 15 years I had bio-alcamid injected in my nasolabial folds and I feel like a lump on that side

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello dimaI would advice you visit or contact your plastic surgeon about this concern and all other post-op concern.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

If you have had 'rebound swelling' with the first few months after any type of facial implant surgery, infection should be suspected. There would be no other explanation for it.

Amit Gupta, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Thank you for asking the question.
Normally in duration of a 3 month post procedure, most of the implant should have settled down by now. But if you are having any new on-set swelling then you need to keep a question of infection in mind and you should seek an urgent consult with your Plastic surgeon. If you had any trauma over the implants, that could explain the sudden swelling due to some hematoma formation. But if you not had a trauma then you need to seek the possibility of the infection in mind. So to keep things safe, please consult the Plastic surgeon whom you had your procedure with. 
  
Regards, Dr. Amit Gupta

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Hi, I have performed many facial implant surgeries using silastic cheek, chin and lip implants for over 30 years.  Cheek implants rarely get infected but can following dental work, especially the upper teeth.  Bio Alcamid is notorious for getting infected at anytime, even many years after it's been injected.  Between the two, the bio alcamid is more prone to getting inflamed and infected.  It however, doesn't matter what the source is...both would require evaluation and possible antibiotic treatment.  You should contact your Cheek Implant Surgeon to discuss this issue.Hope this helps.

Is every case of swelling after cheeks implants indicative of infection? 3 months have passed and now my right side is swollen.

Answers (4)

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Is every case of swelling after cheeks implants indicative of infection? 3 months have passed and now my right side is swollen.

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