Smart Lipo to Remove Silicone Injections?

Question

I injected it in my cheeks, chin and hip. Can it be removed and how much would removing it cost? Somebody boasted about Smart Lipo removing it out with the fat and scar tissue that built around it it. Is this true? I want to know.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello Girl33635. Thank you for your question regarding Smart Lipo to remove silicone injections. Thank you for your history. I’m sorry you had silicone injected into your cheeks, chin, and hips. There are two methods to remove silicone: open and closed. In the open technique, an incision is made over the product, and the product and its associated scar tissue are directly resected. With the closed technique, a small incision about the size of a pencil eraser is made.  A VASER probe is inserted and turned on.  The scar tissue surrounding the silicone is melted with the VASER cannula. The VASER uses ultrasonic energy to melt scar tissue. Then, a variety of liposuction cannulas can be used to aspirate or remove the silicone and associated scar tissue.  Typically, SmartLipo does not have a large enough cannula to allow for the successful removal of silicone and scar tissue.  The best cannulas for successful silicone removal are custom-made. Therefore, most plastic surgeons who specialize in silicone removal do not use SmartLipo; they use VASER and custom-made cannulae that do not fit on the SmartLipo platform.  Thank you for your interesting question regarding SmartLipo to remove silicone injections and whether this technique works for silicone removal. I hope I answered your question regarding silicone injection removal. Good luck. 
Sincerely, Dr. J. Timothy Katzen

Carlos Alberto Ríos García, MD · Answer

I understand your concern. Many patients are told that laser-assisted liposuction techniques such as SmartLipo can simply “melt out” silicone together with fat and scar tissue. Unfortunately, the reality is usually much more complicated once silicone has been present for months or years.
One important thing to understand is that silicone does not usually remain as a separate liquid pocket. Over time, it may become microscopically integrated into:
* fat* connective tissue* fascia* scar tissue* lymphatic structures* and delicate facial tissue planes
This is especially important in areas like:
* the cheeks* chin* and face overall
where tissues are thinner, highly vascularized, and much less forgiving than the body.
While some surgeons may attempt liposuction-assisted debulking in selected body cases, many reconstructive surgeons are extremely cautious about laser-assisted liposuction or SmartLipo in silicone disease because these techniques may potentially:
* spread inflammatory material* worsen migration* damage lymphatics* injure nerves* remove healthy tissue* create contour irregularities* or worsen fibrosis
In the face specifically, overly aggressive suction or heat-based procedures may also risk:
* asymmetry* skin thinning* dimpling* contour collapse* scarring* or long-term deformity
That does not necessarily mean nothing can be done. Depending on:
* how localized the material is* degree of fibrosis* inflammatory activity* skin quality* and MRI findings
some patients may still benefit from:
* selective excision* staged debulking* contour revision* scar tissue reduction* or reconstructive procedures
designed to improve shape and symptoms while preserving healthy tissue.
One important misconception online is the idea that if silicone comes out “with the fat,” the problem is solved. In reality, once silicone becomes integrated into tissue, removal often becomes a reconstructive balancing act between:
* reducing disease burden* preserving healthy tissue* minimizing deformity* and protecting long-term function and appearance
rather than simply extracting everything aggressively.
Cost varies tremendously depending on:
* how many areas are involved* complexity of surgery* imaging findings* need for staged reconstruction* and whether the face, body, or both require treatment
The safest next step is usually MRI imaging and consultation with a reconstructive plastic surgeon experienced specifically in silicone and permanent filler complications before pursuing any laser-assisted liposuction approach.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

LIposuction has been proposed as an option for body silicone, but the long term results have not been shown in large clinical studies.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I never heard of this. Some people have used Liposuction to try to debulk silicone free injections. But, it is extremely difficult and I doubt it works. Unfortunately the only way I know to remove free silicone that is caught in the tissue is to excise it.

Smart Lipo to Remove Silicone Injections?

Answers (4)

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