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POSTED UNDER Cheek Implants REVIEWS

Asymmetry is a big risk

ORIGINAL POST

Cheek Implants Are Too Risky. I Promise You, You Don't Need Them!

kat1764
$4,800
I got cheek implants about 6 weeks ago. They are silicone-based and are screwed in. Around 3 weeks after surgery, I noticed that I could see the implants. I asked my surgeon about it and she said that it was just swelling, even though it was very hard to the touch. Now most of the swelling is gone and it's clear that on one side the implant is directly on my cheekbone (and is poking out), and on the other side the implant is above my cheekbone (you can see the implant and below it you can see my cheekbone). I really want to get them out as soon as possible. If anyone has had experience with getting cheek implants that were screwed in removed, please share your experience. I'm very worried my face will look different and my muscles will not work the way they used to, since the muscles have been separated from the bone. I'm hoping I can get them out in the next two weeks, and I'm hoping I can do it under local anesthesia as I do not want to be sedated again. I'm also wondering about the risks of neve damage with implant removal. If anyone has any information about what the cheek implant removal process and recovery are like, please share!

Replies (4)

May 5, 2022
Can you give an update? I had cheek implants (which the doctor suggested the day before surgery and I had no research on the subject) and I look weird and it is almost 3 months out. I see people looking at me because it has made my eyes look different as well and one side seems to be sticking out more than the other side. The doctor's office also told me it takes time and everything will settle down. Just wondering what you ended up doing about your's and how long does it take for these to look "natural".
July 22, 2022
I’m still trying to get my surgeon to take out my implants. She finally admitted that they are uneven and blamed it on an infection. So there’s no such thing as “it takes time”. My implants look just as crooked now as they did when I noticed it two months after my surgery. I think surgeons don’t like admitting they made a mistake. Just insist you want them out. Your surgeon has to listen to you. I’m hoping to get mine out next month.
December 8, 2023
Hello

Did you manage to take them out? I feel so sorry for you it is so terrible the society s pressure making us believe we are not pretty enough when we actually are.
Bad doctors put obvious distortions on swelling, but no, it never works like this it is just an excuse.

I wish you the best and I hope you found a way to get what you wanted and are happy with your face now.
December 8, 2023
Ops never mind I just saw the update. Thanks God you were able to remove them and be back to normal! Very happy for you!
UPDATED FROM kat1764
2 months post

Please read this before you get cheek implants

kat1764
It's been two months now since my surgery. As I said before, the implant on my left sits above my cheekbone and the implant on my right sits directly on my cheekbone. You can see both implants through my skin. My surgeon, however, insists they don't see this, but it's clear they just don't want to admit they put the implants in completely different places on each side of my face. They said I need to wait for "everything to settle". I couldn't even speak I was so shocked and disheartened in the office. The lopsidedness of the implants is so visible. Hearing my surgeon say they don't see this made me realize there's nothing I can do until they are ready to take the implants out. I cry everyday and feel so trapped in this situation. I hope this post will stop at least one person from making this mistake. The risk of asymmetry with this procedure is too great. I feel so stupid. I was cute before. Now I look like myself but totally lopsided. Also, something I didn't consider before doing this is that plastic surgeons are not like other doctors. Their job is not to make you feel better or help cure your illness. While the entire medical industry is a business, plastic surgeons' entire job is just to make money. They do not care about you the way some other doctors might. If they screw up your face, it doesn't affect them at all. I feel so stupid for trusting this person with my face when all I am to them is a money-making object. My surgeon talked with me as if this is not a big deal, and lied to me about the position of my implants, smiling the whole time. It's so clear they don't care what they did to my face. What's worse is the longer these implants stay in, the more chance my face will not return to some semblance of the way it was. This has taken so much time out of my life. After talking with my surgeon, I realize it will take so much more time out of my life. All I can do is wait until they have time to take the implants out. I'm just hoping it's sooner rather than later. I feel hopeless and completely out of control. This is one of the biggest regrets of my life.

Replies (1)

May 30, 2022
I’m so sorry that instead of being elated with the results, you’re distressed. It’s necessary for you to seek out consultations with at least two other facial plastic surgeon for their professional opinions concerning your situation. It’s unfortunate that will have to pay for the consultations but you would be absolutely unwise not to do such. Plastic surgeons have various skill sets and cheek plants when properly placed can be very aesthetically pleasing.
Yes it’s your face so now you must take the right steps to protect your best interests because your surgeon likely was never experienced nor skilled with cheek implants.
UPDATED FROM kat1764
2 months post

The biggest mistake of my life

kat1764
I didn't want to add a photo because I'm so ashamed of myself. But I really hope someone will read this and see this and not make the same mistake I did. This is what my surgeon did to me. I didn't mention in my previous posts that she suggested that the implant for the left cheek be 1mm bigger than the one on my right, so balance out my natural asymmetry. I don't know which side she put the bigger one in, but it's very clear the left one is placed higher up, closer to my eye than the one on the right side. This is how I have looked since 6 weeks after my surgery. Exactly the same. There's no difference.

The worst part is when I went in for my last check-up, she said she didn't see any asymmetry. She told me she actually thought the right side was higher up than the left side. This made me think back to when I had my second check-up and we noticed my right side had more swelling, and she said, "I don't even remember which side we put the bigger one in, I was so exhausted." I'm feeling hopeless because it's clear she doesn't care. I'm so worried about how long she is going to make me wait to take out these implants. I fear the damage is done. I don't know if my face will go back to some level of normal.

Replies (9)

April 14, 2022
What doctor did this to you?
August 24, 2022
Her work looks negligent - I hope you ask for a refund
October 8, 2022
Yeah, how did it everything turn out? What happened?
October 12, 2022
If you are able to go to Austin, TX, go to see Dr. Apostolakis. He only does face procedures, no breast or anything else. He is extremely good with cheek implants, I was his patient. You should try to see the best surgeon you can afford.
December 21, 2022
Were these custom implants? Who was your doctor?