Can anyone advise on suspected biopolymer under my eyes? (Photos)

Silicone biopolymers are commonly used in the face and body. They may sometimes cause noticeable symptoms that we gauge using the Karamanoukian Soft Tissue Reaction Grading Scale from I to V. The severity of your complications dictates the interventions needed, ranging from itching and burning to severe necrosis of the soft tissue. Nerve pain and symptomatic swelling is also possible. Insurance may cover your surgery, but that is a discussion that requires you to contact and appeal to your insurance carrier. Options for removal are complex and depend on whether you have the material in your face or body. We reverse BBL with silicone commonly and remove silicone from the lips very commonly. Diffuse silicone in the face is not likely to respond to removal. Filler migration, swelling, and granulomas can cause significant discomfort and cosmetic ramifications. Our office specializes in the use of enzymes and filler reversal techniques without hyaluronidase to help improve the results of botched cosmetic fillers, whether caused by Juvederm, Restylane, or foreign fillers. We can also test for the material to determine the likelihood of silicone granulomas and silicone reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Hi Lorna,
I'm sorry to hear of your condition. I see many patients who are victimized by illegal injectors, and the one thing you should know is that you're not alone and treatment is possible! If I were treating you, I would send you for an MRI of the orbits. That should reveal any foreign body substance in the area.
I wish you luck in your search for treatment!
Dr. Nik

Thank you for your question in regards to removal of the biopolymer around the eyes. I’m sorry that you are now having problems with an unknown substance injected around your eyes. Due to the sounds of things, it appears that this is a biopolymer and not a hyaluronic acid. Usually, by about 3 years, a hyaluronic acid would be gone. Since this is hard firm tissue, it is probably biopolymer and scar. I would suggest this would be removed. I suggest this be removed through a transconjunctival incision. That means an incision is placed inside your lower eyelid in the red area. There would be no external scar. Tissue dissection would be carried down to the area of biopolymer and biopolymer and scar tissue would be removed. The procedure would be much like a lower blepharoplasty, where excess fat is removed. In your particular case, I would not suggest a subciliary incision or an incision underneath the eyelashes. I also would not suggest an incision directly on the lump, as this would lead to an unacceptable cosmetic appearance. Thank you for your question in regards to removal of biopolymer from around the eyes. I specialized in biopolymer and silicone removal and subsequent reconstruction.  Since removing biopolymer and silicone 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 they have performed many biopolymer and silicone removal surgeries and have 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.)