Can I have the silicone in my lips corrected? (Photos)

Question

I had silicone lip injections in my lips about 10 years ago. As I've aged it's gotten worse. Is it possible to have some removed? My lips are always dry, no matter how hydrated I am. I constantly have to apply lip balm. Is there any hope? Thanks.

Jeremy S. Nikfarjam, MD · Answer

Hi Femmefatale2222, and thank you for your question!I’m sorry to hear you’re experiencing some discomfort. Luckily, there is help! Silicone in the lips/face can absolutely be removed. As a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon who specializes in silicone/biopolymer removal, of all of the patients I see at my private practice who have been injected with a foreign substance are first sent for imaging to determine the approximate location of the foreign body. From there, we discuss a surgical plan to fit the patient’s individual needs (as no two cases are alike when it comes to silicone/biopolymer) to effectively remove the product. I hope this answered your question.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question regarding whether you can have silicone from your lips corrected. The short answer is “yes, you can have silicone from your lips removed”. Silicone removal from the lips is a very common part of my practice. To resolve your symptoms, the silicone, scar tissue, and granulomas needs to be completely removed from your lips.  Typically, I perform the procedure in the operating room under general anesthesia. If both lips are involved, removal of the silicone from the upper and lower lip takes me about one hour. Absorbable sutures are used and usually fall out after about two weeks. If you need lip reconstruction after the silicone and associated scar/granuloma tissue removal, you should wait four months. Lip reconstruction can be accomplished with fat transfer, Juvéderm injections, dermal flaps, and even Permalip lip implants.  I hope this information helps regarding removal of silicon products that a previously been injected into your lips.
I specialize in silicone lip removal and subsequent lip reconstruction.  I am the Director and chief clinical investigator at the Institute of Silicone Removal.  Since removing silicone from the lip is a delicate procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience in removing silicone from the lips.  Do your research.  Make sure they have performed many lip silicone removal surgeries and have 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, lip silicone removal surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state if you must. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric 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, RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

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

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Luis Lopez Tallaj, MD · Answer

The difference between real dermalfillers as hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxiapatite is that they stay were we inject it and do not move, and of course it will absorb within a period of no more than 12 to 16 months dependind on the case and area. Alloplastic material such silicone and PMMA the invade the cells citoplasma and integrate with the closer tissues, also they migarte and causes deformitis with compromise of the micro circulation, a real nightmare. In some cases we can remove part of it, neve all of it, trying to recreate a temporal normality in the lips or someother areas of the face with the risk of severe deformities. It’s so important that prior to do cosmetic facial injections you verify the doctor choosen by you, and search about the brand of the product that this professional is pffering to you. Recently we posted a documentary in our youtube channel Lopeztallaj, Besos de plástico explaining everything involved with those ilegal injections for a real prevention. It has english subtitles. 
La diferencia entre rellenos dérmicos reales como el ácido hialurónico o la hidroxiapatita cálcica es que permanecen donde lo inyectamos y no se mueven, y se absorberán en un plazo no superior a 12 a 16 meses dependiendo del caso y la zona tratada. Los materiales aloplásticos como la silicona y el PMMA invaden las células atravesando su citoplasma y se integran con los tejidos más cercanos, además se migrar y provocar deformidades comprometiendo la microcirculación, una verdadera pesadilla. En algunos casos podemos eliminar parte del mismo, nunca todo, intentando recrear una normalidad temporal en los labios, y hasta en otras zonas del rostro con riesgo de deformidades severas. Es muy importante que antes de realizarte las inyecciones faciales cosméticas verifiques el médico elegido por usted y busque en google la marca del producto que le ofrece este profesional. Recientemente publicamos un documental en nuestro canal de youtube Lopeztallaj, Besos de plástico explicando todo lo relacionado con esas inyecciones ilegales para una verdadera prevención. Tiene subtítulos en inglés y portugués.

Jaime Pachon, MD · Answer

Of course, there are possibilities of removal of the product and a posterior reconstruction and volumetry with lipograft, you only need a proper physical examination and a removal technique that involves removing biopolymer and not amputating the lip.

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