How effective would power assisted liposuction be to remove silicone from my arms?

Question

Hello I have a large pocket of silicone injected in both sides of my arms; it's not a deep area with a ton of muscle like my butt-it is directly on the bone. How effective would power assisted Liposuction be to remove it? What about vaser Liposuction? I'm worried about the cannula clogging, what should I do?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello mamallama94,

Thank you for your question about the effectiveness of power-assisted liposuction for removing silicone from your arms. I understand your concern, as silicone injection removal is indeed a complex procedure and requires specialized care.

The optimal approach to remove silicone from the arms involves a four-step process, which I'll detail below:

Intraoperative Ultrasound: This step involves using an ultrasound during the operation to precisely locate the silicone in the arms. We mark these areas with a surgical pen to identify the exact locations of the silicone and associated granulomas in the operating room.

Tumescent Solution Injection: Next, we inject a tumescent solution into the marked areas. We use the ultrasound again to ensure the solution accurately targets the silicone balls and granulomas.

VASER Application: A critical step involves using VASER technology to melt the scar tissue surrounding the silicone. This device is uniquely effective in breaking down the scar tissue, making it an essential tool in this process.

Cannula Aspiration: After the ultrasound has pinpointed the masses and the VASER has liquefied the scar tissue, we use a cannula to extract the silicone and granulomas. It's important to use a large-diameter cannula specifically designed for silicone removal. Standard power-assisted liposuction cannulas are often too small and prone to clogging when used for this purpose. Hence, custom-made cannulas designed for manual aspiration are more effective for this task.

In summary, while power-assisted liposuction plays a role, the removal of silicone, particularly from the arms, requires a specialized approach with custom tools and techniques. I hope this clarifies your query regarding the removal of silicone from your arms. Please feel free to reach out for further information or consultation.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS
Plastic and Aesthetic Surgeon

Jose Telich, MD · Answer

Dear mamallama94 I'm truly sorry to hear about your situation. Silicone injection-related complications can indeed be challenging to address, and a thorough and cautious approach is essential.

While liposuction may seem like a potential solution, it's crucial to note that it might not effectively remove foreign materials like silicone and could potentially distribute them to nearby tissues, as you mentioned.

I strongly recommend seeking consultation with a highly experienced plastic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of complications arising from foreign material injections. Their expertise and recognition in this area can significantly improve the chances of a safe and effective resolution to your concerns.

Best wishes on your journey to finding a suitable solution and achieving the best possible outcome.

Al Farabi L. Jaafar, MD · Answer

My experience with suctioning injected silicone materials using PAL is the persistent clogging of the cannula. Tendency for the surgeon is to use bigger diameter. But since your involved areas are the arms, this may not be a good idea (tunneling may be visible).VASER is designed to implode or rupture fat globules for easy suctioning. It may not work to dissolve the silicone materials.

How effective would power assisted liposuction be to remove silicone from my arms?

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How effective would power assisted liposuction be to remove silicone from my arms?

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Everything you need to know about Power-Assisted Liposuction (PAL)

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.