Hello, I am sorry you received silicone buttock injections and are now experiencing complications of those silicone injections. In the human body, silicone is a PERMANENT SUBSTANCE. Silicone does NOT dissolve or disappear over time. In fact, with time, the body continues to make scar in a defensive reaction to the silicone. Therefore, after illegal silicone buttock injections, the buttocks actually increase in size with the accumulation of scar tissue around the injected silicone. Over time, many people develop ASIA syndrome. I believe you have ASIA syndrome. ASIA syndrome is an acronym that stands for Autoimmune/inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants. Adjuvants are agents (like silicone) that modify the effect of other agents (like causing scar tissue and pain). Typically, ASIA syndrome presents about 10 years after the injection. Since ASIA syndrome was first described as recognizable medical disease in 2011, most medical doctors do not know ASIA syndrome even exists ASIA syndome has many symptoms. Not an uncommon symptom of prior silicone injections is the devlopement of blood clots. These blood clots or sometimes deep venous thromboses (DVT) can shower the lungs and turn into pulmonary emboli (PE). This can present as shortness of breath. First, I would suggest you consult with a hematologist and determine the cause of these clots. Be surebto let your hematologist knownabout your history of illegal buttock injections. If your work-up by your hematologist does not reveal a source (like Factor 5 leiden deficiency), then I bet the reason you are having shortness of breath is from the silicone causing blood clots to your lungs. Second, once “cleared for surgery” by your doctor and hematologist, I would suggest the removal of as much silicone as soon as possible. I specialize in treating patients with ASIA syndrome and in the removal of silicone from the buttock and subsequent reconstruction of the buttock. I am a lead investigator and founder of the Silicone Removal Institute. Since removing silicone from the buttock is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in removing silicone from the buttock. Do your research. Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 buttock silicone removal surgeries and has the before and after pictures to prove it. Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf. If you cannot find an experienced, buttock silicone removal surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)
