Is it possible to remove silicone, hydrogel from the buttocks area with liposuction?

Question

Can lipo be used to remove silicone out of the buttocks and area surrounding like hips under local anesthesia?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, Misslay. Thank you your question regarding the removal of silicone from the buttock.  Thank you for question regarding whether it’s possible to remove silicone hydrogel from the buttocks with liposuction. The answer is “yes and no”. Your illegally injected buttock and hip silicone/hydrogel can be removed with a carefully orchestrated procedure called ultrasound guided, VASER assisted, silicone suction. This procedure is performed at your general anesthesia, not local anesthesia.  Local anesthesia is too painful. During ultrasound guided, VASER assisted, silicone suction, an ultrasound is used during the surgery to localize your illegally injected silicone. Then, tumescent solution is injected to optimize the surgical field for VASER and suction.  The VASER uses ultrasonic energy to break up the scar tissue surrounding the silicone and hydrogel. Then, suction is used to aspirate the silicone, hydrogel, and associated scar tissue. This is NOT traditional liposuction. This is a unique type of suction cannula only used for silicone suction, not traditional liposuction. Even though the liposuction technique is the same for silicone and hydrogel removal, the instruments for silicone removal are not used for traditional liposuction. Therefore, traditional liposuction instruments do NOT work for a silicone removal. 
This is the reason that I answer your question “No, traditional liposuction does not work for removal of silicone and hydrogel buttock and hip removal.”  I hope this answer helps to clarify whether it’s possible to remove silicone and hydrogel from the buttocks with suction.  I hope that I have answered your questions regarding removing silicone from the buttock.  The FDA warns AGAINST silicone injections on their website.  The FDA states “Do not get injectable silicone or any type of filler material for large-scale body contouring or enhancement.” Also, the FDA has said Injectable silicone is permanent, with side effects that can occur right after the injection and up to years after treatment. Silicone spreads and migrates easily inside the body, which may worsen adverse events and make surgical attempts to remove the silicone oil more difficult or impossible. Silicone, when injected into areas with many blood vessels such as the buttocks, can travel to other parts of the body and block blood vessels in the lungs, heart, or brain. This can result in permanent damage to those tissues and lead to stroke or death.”  I specialize in silicone buttock removal and subsequent buttock reconstruction.  I am the Director and chief clinical investigator at the Silicone removal Institute.   Since removing silicone from the buttock is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in removing silicone from the buttock.  Do your research.  Make sure they have performed at least 100 buttock 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, buttock silicone removal surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic 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 and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Jeremy S. Nikfarjam, MD · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question! I think it is important when consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon, that you make sure you are seeing someone who specializes in silicone/biopolymer removal. Ive performed many silicone/biopolymer removals in my private plastic surgery practice and have found that the best way to remove silicone/biopolymer is through a staged excision under general anesthesia. The goal of a silicone removal procedure is to remove the problematic material including silicone/biopolymer product and the compromised surrounding soft tissues (necrotic tissue) and foreign body granulomas. All of which cannot successfully be removed with a liposuction cannula. The incisions that I make during the staged excision are minimal and within the buttock crease (as opposed to the 'butterfly incision' that extends across the entirety of the lower back/upper buttock). I find that this technique yields patients the greatest surgical and medical benefit and a beautiful surgical result, all while reducing the risk for specific post-operative complications like wound dehiscence and seroma formation.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Biopolymer reaction in the buttocks has variable form and can be first assessed with 4D ultrasound and an examination in order to assess the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. Depending on the areas of concern and the levels of spread, there are different approaches for removal. Although some doctors have advocated VASER or laser liposuction, our experts feel that this causes too much fibrosis of tissue and scar formation which may further compromise longterm outcome. We prefer either granuloma treatment, a liposuction basket approach with suction assisted delivery and washout of tissue and biopolymer. Some patients require surgical excision which may help remove massive quantities of filler.

Our office specializes in biopolymer removal and there are very specific details that should be addressed during the consultation.

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Praful Ramineni, MD · Answer

Silicone removal can easily be done with liposuction.  In my practice this is commonly done with the Power Assist liposuction machines and a small incision in the gluteal cleft to hide the tiny scar.  This can be used to debulk and remove a majority of the silicone (although there is no way to remove all of it).  We prefer to do this under general anesthesia at the hospital. Recovery is quick and minimal downtime.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Special lipo techniques needed to try to superficially remove silicone injected buttock. But must be under general anesthesia because of the amount of pain during surgery. Best to virtual consult with....

Is it possible to remove silicone, hydrogel from the buttocks area with liposuction?

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Answer: Silicone Removal

Answer: Silicone Removal

Answer: Is it possible to remove silicone, hydrogel from the buttocks area with liposuction?

Answer: Is it possible to remove silicone, hydrogel from the buttocks area with liposuction?

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Is it possible to remove silicone, hydrogel from the buttocks area with liposuction?

Answers (5)

Answer: Silicone Removal

Answer: Silicone Removal

Answer: Is it possible to remove silicone, hydrogel from the buttocks area with liposuction?

Answer: Is it possible to remove silicone, hydrogel from the buttocks area with liposuction?

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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.