I got illegal butt injections over 10 years ago, should I remove them?

Hi and thank you for your question! When contemplating the removal of silicone/biopolymer injections, my recommendation first and foremost would be to consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in silicone/biopolymer removal and this highly complex surgery, in order to be properly and thoroughly examined. In my experience, upon examination, there have been many patients who don't express symptoms voluntarily but do report discomfort with prolonged sitting, the need to shift their buttock weight while sitting, difficulty performing exercise, other aches/pains, and nighttime fevers. All of which can be attributed to silicone disease. If all of the above are not present, it becomes a decision only to be made by the patient. However, if the patient has mild to severe symptoms (or even without symptoms), such as nodularity, skin thickening or discoloration upon buttock exam, these are all valid reasons to pursue removal done in a staged, open approach. Hope this helps!

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

if the area isnt bothering you do not need to treat it. continue with RF treatments, mesotherapy, and long term tighteing with thermage/ultherapy.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Thank you for your question.  I have seen many patients who have had some sort of liquid injections to the butt, and they have been challenging to take care of.  I presume that they are silicone based, however these patients are often unsure of what was actually injected.  The silicone often integrates into the fat and turns the soft and pliable fat into firm and rubbery areas.  Local excision often creates contour deformities and wound problems.  I have had cases of severe infection requiring big debridements and complex reconstruction.  If massage helps soften it then keep doing it, but be aware that there is a lifelong risk of having problems associated with these injections.  

Maintaining the appearance of the derriere is challenging at any age and after any procedure.  The key is regular exercise, yes I mean squats and lunges, unfortunately, to maintain muscle size and strength and then there is the skin to consider.  If massage makes your butt look better, continue to use deep massage like Endermologie or Synergie.  There are also many devices on the market to keep the skin tighter, Thermage and Profound SQ can tighten skin without surgery.  The point that I am making is that maintaining a youthful appearance no matter what previous treatments you have done is an ongoing process and we have more techniques with which to accomplish this all the time.  Find a good cosmetic dermatologist that your like and respect and see her or him on a regular basis and you can look good for years to come.  All the best, Alexis Parker MD