I'm suffering complications after silicone injections to my buttocks. What can I do?

Question

Seeking medication treatment for silicone injection in buttox. Having inflammation and hardening lumps. I also had chills for 10 days. What are my options besides surgery? I had the sillcone injections injected over to years ago and my buttox was always soft and felt smooth but now all of a sudden complications has arised.

Ryan A. Stanton, MD · Answer

Very sorry to hear of your grave misfortune. Having silicone liquid injected into the body tissues results in many different types of complications ultimately leading to hardening, pain, infection, and/or significant disfigurement.  Depending upon which complication you're experiencing different treatments are available and necessary.   For example when it comes to infectionp, antibiotics are necessary and possibly even surgery. When hard and painful areas become unrelenting,  powerful anti-inflammatoriy medications may slow the process but typically surgery is the only option to remove these problematic areas. Keep in mind that never is 100% of the silicone liquid removed and thus it may create lifelong problems.  The most important thing now is to find a experienced trustworthy plastic surgeon  that you will likely have a long term even lifelong relationship with. Glad to help.

Carlos Alberto Ríos García, MD · Answer

I understand your concern. The fact that your buttocks remained soft for years and are now suddenly becoming:
* inflamed* hard* painful* and associated with chills
suggests that something active may now be occurring within the tissues.
One important thing to understand is that silicone complications can sometimes appear many years after the original injections. Patients may remain relatively stable for long periods and later develop:
* granulomatous inflammation* fibrosis* cellulitis-like reactions* immune activation* inflammatory nodules* fluid collections* or chronic tissue reactions
sometimes triggered by illness, immune changes, trauma, stress, or for reasons that are not always fully understood.
The chills are especially important because they raise concern for possible:
* active inflammation* infection* systemic inflammatory response* or cellulitis-like episodes
and should not simply be treated online without proper medical evaluation.
Regarding non-surgical treatment, management sometimes includes combinations of:
* antibiotics (when infection is suspected)* anti-inflammatory medications* corticosteroids in selected cases* granuloma management* pain control* imaging surveillance* and monitoring by specialists familiar with silicone complications
However, medications usually do not “dissolve” silicone itself. Instead, they are generally aimed at controlling:
* inflammation* immune reactions* swelling* pain* or secondary infection
One important thing to understand is that not every patient immediately requires surgery. The safest next step is usually:
* physical examination* MRI imaging* evaluation of inflammatory activity* and determining whether the disease appears localized or diffuse
because overly aggressive surgery during active inflammation may sometimes increase the risk of:
* wound complications* tissue loss* fibrosis* contour deformity* lymphatic injury* or prolonged healing problems
At the same time, persistent inflammation and recurrent symptoms should not simply be ignored either.
These cases are often managed more like chronic reconstructive inflammatory disease than routine cosmetic surgery. The most important next step is evaluation by a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced specifically in silicone and biopolymer complications, especially since your symptoms have changed significantly after years of relative stability.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Silicone biopolymers can cause severe longterm complications including inflammation and nodule formulation. Although results are longer-lasting that Juvederm or Restylane, long-acting fillers should be avoided.  
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

George Volpe, MD · Answer

If you have had silicone injections to your buttocks and are experiencing chills and other symptoms, there is a possibility that you have an ongoing infection. You should be evaluated by your physician and antibiotics may be warranted. Although small localized areas of silicone can be removed, it is usually spread out throughout the buttock region and it cannot be removed without performing surgery.

Jose M. Soler-Baillo, MD, MS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  You will need to be seen in person by a board certified plastic surgeon.  Many times women think they are having (illegally) silicone injected in their buttocks' when in reality it can be a wide variety of harmful substances.  This can lead to a plethora of problems, as I am sure you are aware.  It is crucial to prevent or fight any infection that might be present and to have as much silicone as possible removed although 100% will never be extracted.All the best,Dr. ResultsMiami, FL

Malik Kutty, MD · Answer

The problem you're having is a tough one to take care of. The liquid silicone spreads out and causes inflammation which you're experiencing. Assuming that it was not a physician who did the injection, you really should see a plastic surgeon near you to discuss ways to at least treat the flare-ups.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Buttock injections are illegal and not medically sanctioned because of the severe immediate and late complications.You will never know what was injected exactly and if it is silicone, then it is not a sterile medical grade. Infection is very common and granuloma formation is common.A thorough work up including CT Scan, or MRI  is needed. Infected areas and collections need to be drained, cultured, including cultures for mycobacteria. and treated with long term antibiotics. Surgery is needed to remove as much of the "silicone" as possible.

Megan Jack, MD · Answer

Please schedule an appointment immediately with your surgeon, as you may have an infection or other complication that needs to be addressed promptly.  Other than attempting a course of antibiotics which is a 50/50 on salvaging your injections, surgery is likely in your future. Often these free silicone injections develop infectious or inflammatory complications that require surgical excision to remove the inciting material.  Good luck!

Antonio Gayoso, MD · Answer

It is not normal to have fever and chills this long after a procedure. Hardening and lumpiness is also of concern. The provider that performed your procedure needs to evaluate you and determine if additional care is needed. If that person is not available, (it is rare that a board certified plastic surgeon would inject silicone into the buttock region), then I would suggest an appointment with a board certified plastic surgeon to evaluate you. If your condition worsens before you can seek evaluation with a board certified plastic surgeon, (i.e. more fevers, chills and continued illness), see evaluation in an Emergency Department so that they can determine if immediate care is indicated, such as antibiotics etc.

I'm suffering complications after silicone injections to my buttocks. What can I do?

Answers (9)

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