Is Vaser liposuction a viable way to remove silicone injections from face?

Question

I've heard at least a few specialized plastic surgeons can remove most/alot of medical grade silicone (1000) from upper cheek bone (just below eye orbit) down to lower cheeks (slightly above jawline). Is this possible and effective? About how much (%) silicone is removed this way? Can this be done under local anesthesia with oral or IV sedation? How long is recovery typically? Thank you so much for your consideration and reply!

Jeremy S. Nikfarjam, MD · Answer

Hi Roamer,
In my opinion treating hundreds of patients for silicone removal (buttocks, face, breasts), no kind of liposuction can remove this product. I have a few videos on my Instagram account illustrating this- the body walls off this foreign body with individual little scar capsules. Neither the size of the silicone granulomas, nor the scar tissue can fit through the hole of a liposuction cannula. I've performed revisionary procedures on patients who have first attempted treatment via this method, and many patients report that liposuction has actually made the problem much worse. 
I wish you the best of luck in your search for treatment!
-Dr. Nik

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, I would NOT suggest VASER suction to remove injected "medical grade 1000" silicone from  the face, cheeks, and jawline.  The VASER uses ultrasound to break down the scar tissue around the silicone.  After the scar tissue around the silicone is broken, the exposed medical grade 1000 silicone is removed.  The problem is that the VASER may burn your skin.  The VASER is simply too strong and unpredictable, even on the lowest settings.  Therefore, I would not use the VASER on the face to remove silicone. Rather, I would suggest a facelift approach for the removal of silicone on the upper cheek bone. An inconspicuous incision is placed around the ear and the face, cheek, and jawline is approached.   I have had significant success with this technique.  Removal of silicone from the face and cheek  is best performed under general anesthesia.  The procedure takes about 3 to 4 hours.  recover is about 2 weeks. I specialized in silicone removal and subsequent reconstruction with fat grafting and/or implants.  I am the lead investigator and founder of the Silicone Removal Institute. 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, 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.)

Jaime Pachon, MD · Answer

It is the worst option you can choose to remove biopolymers, it will only achieve activation and migration of the product. biopolymer removal on the face is done by open technique.

Luis Lopez Tallaj, MD · Answer

Liposuction is a method exclusively created to remove Fat, not plastic material. Please take a needle of a syringe and put silicone in the tip and see what happens...
The difference between real dermalfillers as hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxiapatite is that they stay were we inject it and do not move, and of coirse it will absorb within a period of no more than 12 to 16 months dependind on the case and area. Alloplastic material such silicone and PMMA the invade the cells citoplasma and integrate with the closer tissues, also they migarte and causes deformitis with compromise of the micro circulation, a real nightmare. In some cases we can remove part of it, neve all of it, trying to recreate a temporal normality in the lips or someother areas of the face with the risk of severe deformities. It’s so important that prior to do cosmetic facial injections you verify the doctor choosen by you, and search about the brand of the product that this professional is pffering to you. Recently we posted a documentary in our youtube channel Lopeztallaj, Besos de plástico explaining everything involved with those ilegal injections for a real prevention. It has english subtitles.

Is Vaser liposuction a viable way to remove silicone injections from face?

Answers (5)

Answer: I don't recommend this option

Answer: I don't recommend this option

Answer: Silicone removal from the face?

Answer: Silicone removal from the face?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Silicone Injection Removal

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Is Vaser liposuction a viable way to remove silicone injections from face?

Answers (5)

Answer: I don't recommend this option

Answer: I don't recommend this option

Answer: Silicone removal from the face?

Answer: Silicone removal from the face?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Silicone Injection Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.