Was it worth it?

Percent of consumer reviews saying "Yes":

86% Tummy tuck
83% Invisalign
83% Blepharoplasty
81% Smart Lipo
80% Silicone breast implants
79% Photofacial
78% Facelift
78% VASER Liposelection
78% Lasik
75% Laser resurfacing
74% Rhinoplasty
74% Botox
72% Permanent makeup
70% Liposuction
69% Pixel laser
67% Active FX
67% Microdermabrasion
66% Chemical peel
63% Juvederm
61% Restylane
58% Sculptra
53% IPL
52% Radiesse
51% Fraxel Laser
50% Mesotherapy
48% Accent XL
44% Zoom teeth whitening
41% Lifestyle lift
37% Thermage
37% Lipodissolve

Add your review

Question

Problems with Goretex implant 6 years later

I woke up with a painful chin about 5 weeks ago after having a chin implant in June 2002. Post-op I had no problems whatsoever. It seems to be getting slightly better, but the pain/discomfort comes and goes. Sometimes the pain throbs, sometimes I feel some tingling, sometimes it's slight and other days it's heavier. It doesn't seem to be central to one location on the chin.

Could I have traumatized it? Could I have bruised a nerve? I think I may have slept on it very wrong one night, but I'm not sure. There is no swelling, redness, or discharge on my chin or lips, and I can't pinpoint a place the infection could have taken hold (no sinus infections, colds, etc.). The treating physician said we could do a fat transfer in 3-6 months but I'm skeptical of this procedure. Any thoughts or advice?

Comments (0)Ask your questionPrintEmail

Asked by: HRHalderman
Denver, CO

Answers (2)

Sort by: Most recent | Most helpful
1
November 11, 2008

Get a diagnosis first

Edward S. Lee, MD
Edward S. Lee, MD

Your pain may or may not be related to your implant. Late infections can and do occur, but without any swelling, erythema, fever or other symptoms it doesn't sound like an infection. Implants can get infected via hematogenous (blood borne) spread from other infections like you've suggested such as a sinus infection. Other sites of infection, even ones far from the implant, such as infected cuts on the hands or legs or pelvic inflammatory disease could lead to blood borne bacteria that could infect an implant.

Your symptoms sound more like an issue with the mental nerve which runs right near your implant. It's odd for an implant to move after so many years, but they can. Implants can also cause bone resorption that may lead to "movement" of the implant. You should get at least a tentative diagnosis before you begin treatment.

I'm not sure from your question whether your physician has suggested fat injections to treat your pain or has suggested removing the implant and then putting in fat. Fat injections are not a solution for pain. Find out what's causing the pain first and treat it.

0 of 0 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?
2
November 11, 2008

Dealyed pain after an implant

Stella Desyatnikova, MD
Stella Desyatnikova, MD
Board Certified
Facial Plastic Surgeon

Pain and soreness can be related to your implant, and a possible current infection, or it can be a totally unrelated problem. Once you have an implant, it is a foreign body, and it is possible to develop an infection around it later in life, sometimes many years later.
In any case, fat injections are not the answer to treating pain. I would be extremely skeptical of this procedure in your case, and I would certainly want to investigate further what is causing your problem. If your treating physician is not able to diagnose it, perhaps he or she can refer you to another physician who can diagnose and treat it.

0 of 0 people found this helpful
Was this answer helpful?

Write a comment

(required, shown publicly)
  • Allowed HTML tags: <p> <br> <em> <strong> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <img> <div>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • You may link to webpages through the weblinks registry

More information about formatting options

(required, kept private and never sold. We hate spam as much as you do, and won’t spam)
CAPTCHA
Enter the numbers in the image below (no spaces)
Image CAPTCHA

Comments for unregistered users are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Community Guidelines

Check out more Q+A about Goretex

All Goretex Q&A

Have a question? Ask it

Email
Permalink
IMPORTANT: As noted in our Terms of Service, the information found on RealSelf.com, including that provided by professionals in the Questions & Answers area, is a general educational aid. The Questions and Answers contain opinions and views created by community members. RealSelf.com is not responsible for the accuracy of any information posted by community members. Do not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical or healthcare advice, or for diagnosis or treatment purposes.