I have bumps in my upper lips from injections - can you help?

Question

15 years ago I got injections in my upper lips recently I see bumps, horrible , my MRI don’t show nothing 2 MRI diferent times and don’t show nothing, I need get any doctor for help me , I’m desperate Please help me

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding silicone injections into your upper lip. It is not uncommon for MRIs to show normal results and small areas like the upper lip. Unfortunately, you and I both know that you had silicone injections to the upper lip. These silicone injections do not go away. The silicone injections do not dissolve. Occasionally they migrate from the lip to the nasolabial folds, chin, and even neck. However, most of the time silicone injections remain in the lip. Additionally, what happens over time is that your body creates scar tissue and foreign body reactions to the silicone. That is why the lumps are getting larger. I would highly suggest that you have this removed as soon as possible. Unfortunately, nothing dissolves the injections so the Injections need to be removed. I perform these procedures routinely under general anesthesia. The procedure takes approximately 1 to 2 hours. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Please seek an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who has removed silicone from the upper lip in many patients. Thank you for your question regarding what to do about the silicone in your lips.
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.)

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

Emmanuel Mallol Cotes, MD · Answer

Thank you for  expressing your concern. To provide a valid medical opinion I will need to see pictures of you lips from different angles. I would suggest to be treated by board certified plastic surgeon with experience in this procedure, to get the best desired results.

Respectfully,
Dr. Emmanuel Mallol Cotes.-

I have bumps in my upper lips from injections - can you help?

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I have bumps in my upper lips from injections - can you help?

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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.