I had silicone butt injections 5 years ago. Silicone Buttock Injections Be Removed?

Hello, I am sorry you had silicone injected into your buttock 5 years ago. The answer is "yes, silicone can be removed from your buttock.....but it is not an easy surgery to perform". The buttock silicone is "not scraped out", but rather removed as a surgical wedge of silicone, associated scar tissue, and affected buttock skin and fat. I specialize the removal of silicone from the buttock and subsequent reconstruction of the buttock. I am a lead investigator and founder of 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 your chosen plastic surgeon has performed many buttock silicone removal surgeries and has 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, 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.)

Thank you for your question. It’s a really important one, especially given how common these procedures have become in the last decade. To clarify, “scraping” isn’t a precise or medically accurate term, though patients often use it to describe the removal of injected silicone or biopolymer materials. These substances are typically free silicone injections, often mixed with other biopolymer substances.
That said, they are not FDA-approved for body contouring and are considered dangerous, especially when injected into deep tissues like the buttocks. In many cases, especially overseas, the substance used isn’t medical-grade silicone, it could be industrial-grade or mixed with oils and gels. Complications can include inflammation, migration of the material, chronic pain, hard lumps, infection, and even autoimmune reactions. Some of these issues show up immediately, but many appear months to years later, even if everything seemed fine at first. The correct medical term is excisional removal. Surgeons may remove the silicone/biopolymer through open excision - cutting out affected tissue along with the material. This includes debridement - cleaning out inflamed or necrotic tissue,
blunt dissection - separating the silicone from healthy tissue, which might be what patients refer to as “scraping.” There is no suction, laser, or "flush-out" technique that reliably or effectively removes free silicone. It's usually a meticulous, layer-by-layer dissection to remove as much material as safely possible and often done in stages to ensure the most silicone is removed as possible. Free silicone isn’t encapsulated. It migrates, adheres to tissue, and causes chronic inflammation. It can interweave with muscle, fat, and even nerves, making removal delicate and sometimes incomplete. This is why it is crucial to find a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in silicone/biopolymer removal. Even if you are asymptomatic now, long term effects can wreak havoc on the body. If you’re experiencing pain, lumps, or changes in shape, don’t wait! Get evaluated by a board-certified plastic surgeon experienced in this type of excision.

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 a 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 share her silicone journey with you and see how we can help with yours. Please note, insurance can cover these procedures. To discuss, give us a call! (516) 279-2616

The treatment varies from patient to patient.  This may range from surgical excision, to hyaluronidase injection followed by VASER liposuction and fat transfer into the area to correct the resultant deformity.  Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely remove the biopolymer and not result in a significant deformity of the area involved.  Complete removal, such as surgical excision, may result in a life-changing deformity.