Will I need to see a plastic surgeon to determine if there was silicone injected into my body?

Hi Lina2lov3888!

Thank you for sharing this — it makes total sense to feel anxious, especially given the situation with the injector. You’re absolutely right to be cautious and proactive. An MRI with and without contrast would be the best imaging for any soft tissue disorder or to determine what was injected. An MRI, especially silicone-sensitive sequences, can often help distinguish between hyaluronic acid (which is water-based) and silicone (which is hydrophobic and shows up differently). However, interpretation is key — so it's important to ensure you're getting the right imaging and the right specialist to review it. This can be ordered by your primary care physician to start or a plastic surgeon. However, your primary care physician would be a good starting point to determine the substance. From there, if it turns out to be silicone/biopolymer, then I would suggest consulting a Board-Certified Plastic & Reconstructive surgeon who specializes in silicone removal. I am a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon based in New York 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 followed by a reconstructive phase. This approach is designed to ensure the most complete removal possible while minimizing risks and optimizing patient outcomes. Please give us a call if you would like to schedule a complimentary virtual or in person consultation (516) 279-2616.

We're happy to help if you need us. Best of luck.

Thank you for your question regarding concerns about silicone injections. Given your situation, I recommend coming in for a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. While your primary care provider (PCP) could order an MRI, interpreting the scan specifically for potential silicone injections requires experience that many PCPs may not have. Plastic surgeons who specialize in silicone removal, like myself, have a trained eye for identifying signs of silicone in MRI results and can provide expert guidance.

I've been removing silicone injections for over ten years, and I can better assess your options and determine the next steps after reviewing your MRI results. A specialized consultation will give you peace of mind and ensure any necessary follow-up is handled effectively.

Sincerely,
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen, MD

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