Chronic pain due to silicone butt injections, feeling hopeless. Has any doctor seen this before?

Question

i had 11 mason jars injected into my butt, thighs&hips had my first session oct 11 of 2022 most recent was may 1. I have been reading for weeks and i cant seem to find anyone with similar complications which is worrying me so much. I have had so much mass migration into my legs i can no longer bend my legs. I am living in CHRONIC pain i can BARLEY walk, has any doctor seen this before? its in the CREASE of my legs so i cannot bend. I have had a consult and waiting for MRI but still soworried

Jeremy S. Nikfarjam, MD · Answer

Hi JulieBunny667!

I'm really sorry you're going through this. That sounds incredibly painful and scary. I want you to know that you are not alone, even if your specific symptoms feel rare. What you're describing, I've seen in many silicone patients throughout the years in patients with silicone and biopolymer injection complications. Please know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, there's help. What you're experiencing seems like mass migration into the legs, pain in the leg creases and inability to bend. This is unfortunately something that can happen when large volumes of liquid silicone are injected.
Although I have not seen you for a clinical evaluation, it seems like you're having some gravity-driven migration. Silicone is heavy and not contained, so over time, it can migrate down into the legs, especially if injected in large volumes. Eleven jars is an extremely high volume — that's a lot of product for your tissue to try and manage. It sounds like you're experiencing an inflammatory response. Your body is likely reacting to the silicone with chronic inflammation, fibrosis (scar tissue), and possibly forming granulomas — this causes stiffness, pain, and swelling. When silicone migrates to the inguinal creases (where your thighs meet your pelvis), it can affect your iliopsoas and quadriceps function, making it hard or impossible to lift or bend your legs. The chronic pain, difficulty walking, and inability to bend your legs — that is not normal, but it has been seen before by surgeons such as myself,  who specialize in biopolymer/silicone removal. The good news is - there are many Board-Certified Plastic and Reconstructive surgeons who specialize in helping people just like you. You’re doing the right thing by getting an MRI and staying in touch with your doctors. The MRI will help them map how far the silicone has migrated, see what tissue is inflamed or scarred and help guide surgical planning (if you're a candidate for removal). Next Steps (in case you're not already doing these) would be an
MRI with and without contrast (make sure the radiologist knows to specifically evaluate for silicone/biopolymer migration); consulting with a surgeon who specializes in foreign material removal as general plastic surgeons often do not have enough experience with these kinds of cases and pain management — ask your doctor about options while you're waiting. It's important to avoid massage or physical manipulation of the area as this can worsen migration.

Here at my New York based silicone removal center, 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 two-stage surgical excision process and a third stage of reconstruction (often referred to as a reconstructive BBL). This approach 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. My Silicone Coordinator has undergone silicone removal and reconstruction and would be happy to get the ball rolling to see how we can help.  (516) 279-2616

Best of luck on your silicone removal journey!

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

Hi Juliebunny667, thank you for your question regarding chronic pain due to silicone butt injections, feeling hopeless, and whether any doctor seen this before.  Unfortunately, your situation is all too common.  Silicone injections into the buttocks are a universal problem.  Many people have fallen victim to soft tissue augmentation with silicone.  One of the common complications of silicone injections is migration.  Often, the silicone migrates from the buttock into the lower back, hips, groin, pubic region, and even down the leg.  Some plastic surgeons specializing in silicone removal even see the migration of silicone products injected into the buttocks migrate to the ankles.  Sometimes, this migration from the buttocks to the thighs, knees, calves, and ankles is caused by several silicone droplets.  These tiny silicone droplets become encased in scar tissue and can cause severe swelling and inflammation.  These silicone droplets and their corresponding inflammatory reaction can cause significant pain, disability, and distress.  Silicone can cause chronic pain and swelling, especially in the thighs, calves, and ankles.  Swelling and inflammation can inhibit the hip, knee, and ankle range of motion.  Restricted range of motion can lead to further scar tissue buildup and calcification.  Scar tissue can lead to difficulty walking and exercising.  It is imperative that you have the silicone removed as soon as possible.  I would suggest you remove the silicone from the joints first and then, during a second surgery, remove the injections from the buttocks.  I think removing silicone from the buttocks, thighs, and knees would be too much surgery to undergo at one time.  Another complication of silicone injections is the creation of excessive scar tissue.  Excess scar tissue can lead to hypercalcemia, kidney stones, and kidney failure.  Unfortunately, plastic surgeons specializing in silicone removal have seen this scenario countless times in their young patients suffering from silicone injections and requiring dialysis and kidney transplants.  Please get your silicone injections removed as soon as possible.  I wish you luck. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen

Chronic pain due to silicone butt injections, feeling hopeless. Has any doctor seen this before?

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Chronic pain due to silicone butt injections, feeling hopeless. Has any doctor seen this before?

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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.