73custom

Day 5 post op! Yeah they were just too big so I may go again with smaller but I seem to have a pattern of reactions to surgery. The PS said that my left side had an immediate reaction to the removal and that is why it is so swollen. It really didn't get super swollen until 24+ hours post op though. It has gone down some but my left side is pretty big and I have a nice bruise under my eye. My right side has just a tiny bit of swelling. It was a tough decision for removal but I should have been more involved in the the sizing. It was just too much. Some people didn't recognize me at first and that, combined with the one side appearing much larger, were enough reasons for a removal. It has been quite an ordeal and lots of $$$$. While I was knocked out the PS asked my wife about why I was set on removal. He commented that when he puts in smaller implants people complain and want bigger ones. This seems like bad communication. It might have been successful had it just not been so drastic (IMO of course).

I am using a pineapple extract pill form and arnica (sp?) pills and creams too. That is good to know about the pineapple juice not really working due to processing - we bought a bunch and then figured out that might be the case.

I have some more days of before back to work. I am not looking forward to people seeing me with another interesting change to my face! I might still have a nice black eye still. Oh well it is done. I really needed to hear people's experiences when I was going through all this so I am hoping people can use my experiences too. Thanks for the reply la_angel

73custom

Well 5-6 days in and most of the swelling is gone. One PS told me that the recovery for removal would be roughly the same as implanting - does not seem true by a long shot. I look almost "normal".

versace

Having most of the swelling gone after 5 to 6 days is highly unusual. Is it possible that perhaps it appears as the swelling has resided only because the mass of the implants is now missing? From my experience swelling associated with malar augmentation typically lasts anywhere from 6 to 9 months. That being said I fortunately do not have a great deal of experience with implant removal.

__________________
“One popular new plastic surgery technique is called lip grafting, or "fat recycling" wherein fat cells are removed from one part of your body that is too large, such as your buttocks, and injected into your lips; people will then be literally kissing ass.”

73custom

There is still some swelling for sure. It is very mild compared to the implant recovery. It could be due to the mass missing from the implants but it is really not bad. I was expecting removal swelling to be bad for months and in about a week it is quite tame. One side was really huge to from the removal. Just an FYI for removal experiences! I think anyone that doesn't know me would not see any swelling at this point.

c2it

I haven't gotten cheek implants (don't need them because I have big cheek bones) but I think this is something that really has a impact in terms of how old a person looks.

If you look at younger people they have full cheeks and older people have them sunken in. I'm glad I have good bone structure but if I didn't I wouldn't think twice about doing this. I'm actually pretty surprised it's not more popular.

la_angel

That's GREAT that the swelling is going away so fast!! I wonder if when/if you get new ones back in the swelling won't be as bad because the area is used to getting upset like that.

Did the doctor charge for removal? Do you mind me asking how much they originally costs- surgeon fee, anesthesia, and O/R.

73custom

Let's see- it was a little over 4k to start with. Removal was low 2k area with 700.00, 900.00 for OR and anesthesia, and 500.00 for the PS for removal. Much easier on the wallet for removal. I can't remember where the $$$'s fell exactly for the implantation. I was back at work today and I don't think anyone could really tell much was up with my face - I do have some swelling still but just a bit. Kind of an expensive lesson but I am still happy right now with all. I still have stiches in my mouth so it would be a while before I would be able to think about this again. I did have a lot of swelling on that one side at first from the removal and that will probably be healing for some time. I think I'd go to a different PS but I just want to relax for now!

dlq

Shoot I would do cheek implants if they are only 4k. I always thought they were more than that. Then I come across this cosmetic surgery forum and read about people paying a lot of money for them it's nice to hear there are still docs out there doing things for fair prices instead of ripping everyone off with their crazy markups.

versace

I am happy to hear your swelling is minimal, 73custom. Please keep me updated on your progress. From an educational standpoint, I also am intrigued to hear your store since I do not have a great deal of experience with cheek implant removal.

__________________
“One popular new plastic surgery technique is called lip grafting, or "fat recycling" wherein fat cells are removed from one part of your body that is too large, such as your buttocks, and injected into your lips; people will then be literally kissing ass.”

73custom

18 days after removal and it is hard to tell if there is swelling - I am sure there is some but I really look like before the procedure and I can't feel pain or see puffiness etc.

Some things to note - It took getting used to to having implants as you can feel them. One surgeon told me that they sit right on a nerve and so that is why they always felt a little bit like pressure was there. So you really can tell they are there by lightly pushing on the implant area or by sleeping on them. Maybe that would have faded more over time? What else hmm? I'll keep thinking of what i would have wanted to know beofre hand...