Removing Silicone Breast Injections and Get Implants After?

Anyone reading this, please do not have silicone injected into your breasts. This is very different than having silicone implants, which are very safe. Injections are very difficult to remove and it actually is considered a reconstructive procedure requiring extensive surgery and possible deformity to correct, if possible. At this point, I agree that you should see a reconstructive breast surgeon. Good luck.

Thank you for sharing your experience. You're not alone in this, and there is a path forward, but it’s important to be informed and work with the right kind of surgeon. Silicone injections can migrate, inflame surrounding tissues, and create lumps, granulomas, or fibrosis, often years later. Even without pain or deformity now, changes can develop over time. It sounds like your doctor couldn’t properly assess your imaging because they didn’t know about the injections. This is very important. Ultrasounds and MRIs must be interpreted with your history in mind, especially when silicone is involved, because it may be mistaken for benign fat or fibrous tissue without the right clinical context.
Removal of silicone requires a specialist in excisional silicone removal, especially from the breast. This is not a common skill among general plastic surgeons or even cosmetic surgeons. The procedure involves meticulous dissection to excise as much of the silicone and affected tissue as possible then reconstruction of the breast (which could include a lift, fat grafting, or later implants). The first stage of surgery would include removal of silicone and inflamed tissue. The second stage (3–6 months later) would be for breast reconstruction and/or implant placement.

You are not alone. Many women have gone through this quietly and successfully. It just requires the right specialist and honest planning. I am a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a specialized focus on silicone and biopolymer removal. Over the years, I have dedicated my practice to safely addressing complications arising from these materials. Recognizing the unique challenges they pose, I developed a removal and reconstruction technique that is designed to ensure the most complete removal possible while minimizing risks and optimizing patient outcomes. I'd be happy to see you for a clinical evaluation whether it be complimentary virtual consultation or an in-office appointment to discuss your options. Please note – insurance can cover these procedures if your plan holds out of network coverage and the procedure is deemed medically necessary. My Silicone Coordinator can look into existing coverage during your initial call. (516) 279-2616

Thank you for your question regarding removal of silicone injections from the breast with subsequent breast reconstruction. I would highly suggest you have the silicone injections removed as soon as possible. Silicone is highly reactive and causes a whole host of immune responses. In the breast, it can cause severe scarring and can possibly even increase chances of cancer. Therefore, I suggest you have the silicone removed as soon as possible. This can be done through an incision on the breast. Most of the time I reconstruct the breast at the same time with insertion of a breast implant. However, if you have extensive silicone it may require removal of the silicone then, waiting 4-6 months to return for breast reconstruction with implants. However, in the majority of cases I am able to remove all the silicone (or at least the majority of the silicone) and then undergo breast reconstruction with breast implants. Thank you for your question regarding removing silicone injections into the breasts.
I specialize in silicone removal and subsequent reconstruction. I am the Director and chief clinical investigator at the Institute of Silicone Removal. Since removing silicone is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in removing silicone. Do your research. Make sure they have performed many 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, silicone removal surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Surgeons, 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, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Silicone nodularity after silicone breast injections is described in the literature. Most of these nodules should be assessed to rule out tumors or granuloma. ;There are several ways to remove the individual nodules, but this requires the expertise of a surgeon who is familiar with these techniques. We remove liquid silicone injections and granulomas from the soft tissue and have had great results.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

There is no easy solution to the problem.
If the silicone can be localized than it can be excised. However, this is unlikely. Unfortunately the silicone is a thick gummy like substance that is difficult to remove when injected. This is very different from breast implants that generally contain the vast majority of the silicone when ruptured. Also the silicone in current breast implants is very thick and generally stays together as a mass..
It occasionally forms a cyst which can be excised but more likely it spreads through the tissues and becomes almost indistiguishable from the breast tissue.
The only effective way to remove all the silicone may be to get a subcutaneous mastectomy and no one really wants to do this for benign desease. This is the reason, you may find it difficult to find a surgeon to perform the procedure. After this, you would essentially need a reconstructive procedure to restore the shape of the breast.