Treatment for Facial Granulomas After Silicone Injections

Question

My mother had silicone injections (biopolymer) applied in face and since 3 years ago has facial granulomas, facial swelling, redness and pain mainly underneath both eyes where sometimes it becomes difficult for her to see. 
She has been to dermatologists and other eye doctors who have tried therapy with steroids (orally and injected) and have had no success. Please offer any solution we live in Miami and will travel anywhere. PLEASE PLEASE HELP My mother now suffers from a severe depression due to this. This picture is after a recent intervention of a steroid injection. Usually she swells even more.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Silicone granulomas can be removed individually if they are causing secondary problems of ulceration, infection, or pain.

Raj S. Ambay, MD · Answer

Silicone injections in various parts of the body has been done quite frequently all over the country.  The difficulty with silicone injections begins with the quality of the silicone itself.  I have seen many cases where industrial grade silicone has been injected inside the human body.  This can be a tremendous disaster.  Problems can include infections, granulomas, cellulitis, and persistent skin infections, disfigurement and skin dimpling.  It is very easy to have silicone injected, but very difficult to have it removed.  The removal can frequently be very complex and involved lengthy surgery. Multiple operation is not uncommon.   It is not uncommon to expect scars in locations that would otherwise be undesirable.  If you do have silicone, or are having problem with silicone that was injected by a non-healthcare provider then you should certainly seek medical attention.  Some solutions include IV antibiotics, oral antibiotics and surgery after the inflammation has subsided.  Removing the silicone is not just a cosmetic issue but also an issue of better health.  Depending on the type of silicone injected concerns with autoimmune diseases and infections are foremost.  Taking medications such as ibuprofen or cortisone is only a temporary measure.  The real solution is surgery.  Not all plastic surgeons are willing to operate on patients who have had silicone injected in their body.  Many of these cases are not covered by insurance because they were performed for cosmetic reasons.  My recommendation to anyone that has had silicone injections and wishes to have it removed, is to seek a board certified plastic surgeon who is likely willing to do more than 1 operation as well as willing to do some of these operations in a hospital setting. I have had patients visit me for removal of silicone and the discussion to proceed is never an easy one.

Treatment for Facial Granulomas After Silicone Injections

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Treatment for Facial Granulomas After Silicone Injections

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Everything you need to know about Silicone Injections

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