LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Dr Lam,

I read from before that you can remove a silicon Implant without having to 'open' the nose right? How fast is the procedure does it hurt, and will recovery time be needed? Also will the remaining cartilage be a problem without an implant?

Another question is regarding eyes, from your experience does the eye crease continue to drop from 3 months to a year? I got double-eyelid surgery plus epi done 3 months ago exactly... i havent seen much changes in my eyes in the past month. I still find my crease too high and westernized looking.

1. i can remove the silicone implant in the office in 95% of cases. if there is calcification along the bridge (feels and looks like bumps) which is rare but can happen with silicone, i can still remove it in the office but it just requires a lot more work. it usually takes about 15 minutes to remove it. no, you don't need to open the nose. i can do it through a nostril incision. it does not hurt. you can drive home. i use dissolvable sutures. usually recovery is not bad at all. if the implant was large and there for a long time there can be cartilage damage. in most cases i can fix it with silicone microdroplets if need be, i.e., without further surgery.
2. if i did your surgery, you would have a little drop further after 3 months but not a lot. i cannot speak if someone else did your surgery. you need to ask your surgeon if i did not do it. if i did it, send me a PM with photos. if i did not, do not send me a photo. send your surgeon a photo. as you know, i make it a policy not to respond about other people's work.
best,
sml

Thanks for the reply Dr Lam...my eyes were done by another surgeon, and i have contacted him but just wanted a second opinion. I have two more questions if you dont mind:

1.Is it normal to still feel some numbness around the eyelash area 3-4 months post surgery?

2. How long after rhinoplasty is it ok to remove the silicon implant? Is there any risk in removal and will it cause further swelling?

1.Is it normal to still feel some numbness around the eyelash area 3-4 months post surgery?
PLEASE ASK THAT OF YOUR SURGEON. I DON'T LIKE TO ANSWER SUCH A QUESTION. I REALLY APOLOGIZE BUT IT IS NOT FAIR TO BE ANSWERING QUESTIONS ABOUT ISSUES THAT FOLLOW ANOTHER SURGEON'S WORK.

2. How long after rhinoplasty is it ok to remove the silicon implant? Is there any risk in removal and will it cause further swelling?
I WOULD SAY IT COULD BE REMOVED ANYTIME AFTERWARD. SWELLING USUALLY IS NOT AN ISSUE. HOWEVER, REMOVING IT CAN LEAD TO REVEALING SOME PRESSURE CHANGES ON THE CARTILAGES UNDERNEATH THAT MAY NEED TO BE CORRECTED DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE IMPLANT AND HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN IN,I.E., THE IMPLANT OVER TIME CAN CAUSE PRESSURE ON THE CARTILAGES UNDERNEATH AND DISTORT THEM IF THE IMPLANT IS OF A LARGE SIZE. I AM NOT TRYING TO FRIGHTEN YOU. JUST THE TRUTH ABOUT LARGER ONE PIECE SILICONE AUGMENTATIONS. HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR OWN DOCTOR TO REMOVE IT IF HE CAN IF YOU WANT IT REMOVED. JUST TRYING TO BE FAIR WITH YOUR SURGEON, AS I WOULD EXPECT THE SAME FAIRNESS.