removal of cheek implants causing scar tissue

[steve king]

In December last year I had cheek implants fitted via my mouth. I was warned of a risk of infection, and the left implant became infected and didn't respond to treatment with anti-biotics. In March I had both implants removed, and now have lumps to my cheeks and above my gums. I was told this is scar tissue and is worse on the right side as that implant began bonding whereas the left didn't. The lumps causes much discomfort, especially above my gum to the right. Does anyone know if anything can be done to get rid of this scar tissue, and has this prevented refitting implants.

[Elise]

maybe steroid injections would help?

[danya]

Dear Steve,
Welcome to BeautySurg.com!
Sorry to hear about your complications. The most likely treatment for your lumpiness is TIME. The scar tissue should soften over time, especially if you massage the lumps with your fingertips. This will help break up the scar tissue... (check with your doctor for his or her recommendations for scar massage before commencing).
The changes will be very gradual, but if you dont notice any improvement after a month or two, a tiny bit of steroid injected into the area will help to reduce the inflammation and your body's response which is creating scar tissue. This has to be done VERY carefully though, because too much steroid or steroid injected into the wrong place will cause a depression.
Once everything settles down you should be able to have your implants reinserted.
Danya

[Unregistered]

Thanks Danya. I have been massaging the lumps since I had the implants out in March, at what stage should I consider steroid injections if the lumps do not improve? The big lump above my right gum is causing cosiderable discomfort as it is sore, it actually prevents me from sleeping with the right side of my face on the pillow. At what stage can I consider refitting implants? If I decide to have them refitted I would prefer to have it done in the States as it appears such implant surgery in the UK is a rather new procedure and few specialise in it. Are you able to recommend surgeons and advise as to approximate cost. Thanks for your advise, we really should have these forums in the UK but we are behind the times in cosmetic surgery compared with the States. Steve

[danya]

It's been 6 months since you had the implants removed? If the lumps are still there, you can ask your doctor about steroid injections now. Remember, though, that it's better to be very conservative with the injections, because too much steroid may cause atrophy (shrinking) of the healthy tissue which will leave you with an indentation.
You can always add more steroid later, if the first treatment doesn't help. You should allow 2 months between treatments since the steroid stays around for several months.
Since you're still having problems with the scar tissue, i'd think that you should wait til that's resolved before refitting the implants. And since you had an infection the first time around, you may be more prone to it again so you'll have to be very careful.
You can search the physician database (http://www.beautysurg.com/locate) on BeautySurg.com and/or email me at danya@beautysurg.com for some more help finding a doctor. There are also some tips in the
choosing a doctor article (http://www.beautysurg.com/learn/general_choose.html)

[Unregistered]

I had cheek implants removed thirteen years ago (six months after they were put in). Although I looked exactly the same after and didn't have any lumps, I now want to try fat grafting. I am afraid to do this though because I have heard that grafted fat wont take to scar tissue. If I have fat injected where the implants were, will that area stay flat or lumpy?

[danya]

it's hard to say. it really depends on the scar tissue as well as the surgeon's technique. just because you have scar tissue does not mean that you will get lumpy, however scar tissue may theoretically impair vascularization (new blood vessel growth) of the transplanted fat.
since you have some surgical history, you would probably be wise to go to a surgeon who has already done fat injections on someone with a similar history, so that you'll both have some idea of what to expect.
good luck!
danya