Question:
I had my implants removed due to an infection. How long do I have to wait before I can have them replaced and is there any way to prevent infection with the new implants?
Answer:
Once there is an infection around an implant, then it definitely should be removed. After removal, patients usually stay on antibiotics for a period of two to six weeks depending on the bacteria that caused the infection. Once the infection is completely cleared, we usually like to wait at least another two weeks at minimum for swelling to subside before replacing implants. It is safe to wait until swelling has subsided and all the infection has cleared before replacing the implants but you also do not want to wait too long because the implant pocket will continue to contract and tighten up with time making it more difficult to replace the implant. The only way to prevent infection with the implants is to use meticulous surgical technique and to irrigate the implants and the implant pocket with triple antibiotic solution, which is a standard of care.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.