Hello VadaVitale, Thank you for your question about whether silicone injections to the buttocks from 2008 have spread to other areas. Thank you for your history. Biopolymers are known to migrate. Biopolymer, PMMA, and silicone have been known to migrate through the venous circulation during the injection process, sometimes even tragically winding up in a fatal pulmonary embolus. After the injection, biopolymers can migrate through the lymphatic circulation. Biopolymers injected onto the buttocks can migrate from the buttocks downwards to the thighs, knees, calves, ankles, feet, and even toes. Biopolymer in the buttocks can also migrate upwards to between the scapulae. In other patients, buttock biopolymer can migrate over the hips and into the groin. It is very common for buttock biopolymer to spread to the low back and cause lumbar pain. Biopolymer in the buttocks can also spread to the labia or scrotum. As the biopolymer clogs up the lymphatic system with product and reactive scar tissue, the lymph nodes become congested. Congested lymph nodes can cause lumps in the groin or in the lump at the back or lumbar spine. To determine the location and extent of the product and associated scarred tissue from biopolymer injections, it will be necessary to obtain an MRI with and without contrast. The MRI will be able to determine the amount of product, the location of the product, whether the product is in the gluteus maximus muscle, and the degree of spread into the hips and the lumbar spine. If you think it's migrated into the thighs, lower extremities, and ankles, you will need a dedicated MRI of these areas as well. However, as a baseline, usually just a pelvic/buttock MRI is sufficient. MRIs are superior to ultrasounds and CT scans for the detection of biopolymers and associated scar tissue. Good luck. I hope this helps answer your question regarding how you know if silicone injections to the buttocks from 2008 have spread to other areas. To obtain an accurate assessment of what exactly you need, schedule a free virtual consultation. Most plastic surgeons offer free virtual consultations. During your consultation, most plastic surgeons will be able to order an MRI for you to have done in your local city. The results of your MRI will be reviewed in a follow-up consultation. The results of your MRI will dictate what surgery is necessary to remove your buttock biopolymer. Since removing silicone is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who has significant experience in silicone removal. 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, MD, MBA (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, Director and chief clinical investigator at the Institute of Silicone Removal, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel, Director and Chief Investigator of Silicone Removal Institute.)
