How safe is the removal of silicon or biopolymers from the buttocks and lower back?

Hi Tigeress59, thank you for your question regarding removing biopolymers from your back and buttocks. I perform many of these procedures every week on patients who have had biopolymers, PMMA, or silicone injected into the buttock.  In my practice, it is a safe procedure. However, there are many things we do to minimize complications. 1) Before silicone or biopolymer removal surgery, I check your blood values, EKG, chest X-ray, and have your private doctor examine you to make sure you are healthy for the procedure.  Sometimes, I order a MRI.  2) To further minimize intra-operative complications, I work with a doctor anesthesiologist instead of a nurse anesthetist.  3) Also, I perform these silicone and biopolymer removal procedures under general anesthesia, not local anesthesia.  I believe general anesthesia is much safer than local anesthesia for these types of silicone procedures.  4) I use a Medicare and AAAA certified surgery center. 5) I prescribe antibiotics during and after surgery. All these factors and experience serve to minimize complications.  In my experience, I have not had any deaths from silicone removal. However, that does not mean that silicone or biopolymer removal surgery is an easy or  risk-free procedure.
Usually, eventually, the biopolymer, PMMA, or silicone will cause problems like scar tissue, localized pain, radiating pain, electrolyte imbalances, and can even progress to renal failure and cancer.I hope that I have answered your questions removing silicone and biopolymer from the lower back and buttock. 
Before you make any decisions regarding silicone removal from the lower back and buttock, I would suggest you seek consultation with a silicone removal expert. Please seek an experienced, board-certified, plastic surgeon.  Travel out of state if you must to find such a silicone removal expert. If you have any more questions regarding silicone removal from the buttock and lower back, or plastic surgery in general, please contact my office.  Sincerely, Dr. J. Timothy Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society Plastic Surgeons, International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and Fellow of American College of Surgeons and American Board for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, Awardee: RealSelf 100.)

Hi and thank you for your question! I think it is very important to consult only with surgeons who are board certified and specialize in silicone disease and the associated highly complex removal procedures. In my private plastic surgery practice, I've been successful in treating many patients who've had this material injected into various parts of the body. For example: buttocks, lower back, hips, thighs, breasts, face, lips, etc. A vast majority of my patients were injected 10+ years ago. The removal procedure(s) are performed using a staged excision technique to effectively remove as much of the free-silicone/biopolymer material and associated granulomas and scar tissue in the hopes of relieving some, if not all, of the patient's symptoms.

Silicone biopolymers are being used throughout the world for facial and body volume augmentation. Results are longer-lasting that Juvederm or Restylane. 
Bellafill and Artefill are known to cause granulomas and permanent nodules with swelling. This is not the case for everyone. Silicone biopolymers can also cause similar chronic inflammatory conditions. 
In my practice, I specialize in the removal of Bellafill and Artefill injections, in addition to silicone biopolymers, from the face and body. Initially, treatments are non-surgical with corticosteroids and immune modulators. If unable to be corrected, we can also perform surgery in some cases. 
Silicone biopolymers can also be removed from the body if there are signs of migration or inflammation. All of these filler-types should be removed as early as possible. 
Lastly, our office is conducting ongoing studies of plasma-assisted corticosteroid application, which allows for diffusion of the treatment medication in superficial tissue without causing atrophy. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon