Am I at risk for further health issues after PMMA injections?

Question

Help plz!! I got 250cc in each side but I just read the horrible stuff am I at risk for further health issues? The lady wants me to go back but I’m not planning on going back. What are my changes if I stop now. I believe if I stop here nothing will happen

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello PMMA stands for polymethyl-methacrylate.  PMMA is in products like Artefill and Artecoll.  In Artecoll and Artefill, PMMA microspheres are combined with cow collagen, and lidocaine.  Artecoll and Artefill have many side effects like prolonged pain, redness, itching, skin pigmentation changes, and foreign body reaction.  A foreign body reaction means your body makes scar around the PMMA or foreign body. The scarring can become severe and quite thick and painful.  These thick scars often turn into granulomas.  These granulomas can also confuse doctors into thinking that these lumps are cancer on ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs.   Indeed, sometimes these granulomas caused by PMMA fillers can turn into cancers.  See Dr Sidewell’s article of "Cutaneous sarcoidal granulomas developing after facial cosmetic filler in a patient with newly diagnosed systemic sarcoidosis".

First, I would suggest you not have any more PMMA fillers.  If your present PMMA fillers are causing you problems, I would suggest you seek a board certified, experienced plastic surgeon who can assist you on removing the PMMA.  Usually, PMMA and other filler can be removed with ultrasound guided liposuction, or direct surgical removal.  These fillers are difficult to treat.   Please seek an expert plastic surgery.   Bottom line: don’t get any more PMMA injections.  If you have any more questions regarding PMMA or any other fillers and the removal, please call my office. Sincerely, Dr. Katzen.  Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Jeremy S. Nikfarjam, MD · Answer

Thank you for being open about this. You're absolutely not alone in feeling uncertain or even scared after learning more about silicone injections. The truth about silicone injections (non-medical grade or black market, free liquid silicone injected into the body), especially in large quantities and not inside a medical-grade implant is considered very high-risk. It's not FDA-approved for body contouring or buttock augmentation. Complications may not happen right away. Sometimes they appear months to years later. Some potential risks include - Migration (the silicone moves to other areas of the body. For example: thighs, back, groin folds); granulomas (painful inflammatory lumps); infection; tissue necrosis;
autoimmune-like symptoms (chronic fatigue, joint pain, etc.); skin discoloration or hardening.
However, many people have had silicone injections and never develop serious complications — especially if the volume was relatively lower and they stop early. That said, your body’s reaction is unpredictable. Stopping now is your best move. The more product that gets injected, the harder it becomes to remove later, and the higher the risk of systemic issues. I recommend consulting with a Board-Certified Plastic & Reconstructive surgeon who specializes in silicone/biopolymer removal and silicone disease so they can assess where the silicone has settled, ff there are early signs of issues, how to monitor your health moving forward, and get baseline imaging done (typically an MRI with and without contrast - standard silicone protocol). It's important to watch for symptoms, such as: persistent pain or swelling, skin changes, hard lumps (nodules), fatigue, brain fog or joint pain.

I am a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon 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 and a third stage of reconstruction (often referred to as a reconstructive BBL). This approach is designed to ensure the most complete removal possible while minimizing risks and optimizing patient outcomes. I'd be happy to see you for a clinical evaluation whether it be a complimentary virtual consultation or an in-office appointment to discuss your options. My Silicone Coordinator has undergone silicone removal and reconstruction and would be happy to get the ball rolling to see how we can help.  (516) 279-2616

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Silicone biopolymers are being used throughout the world for facial and body volume augmentation. Results are longer-lasting that Juvederm or Restylane. 
Bellafill and Artefill are known to cause granulomas and permanent nodules with swelling. This is not the case for everyone. Silicone biopolymers can also cause similar chronic inflammatory conditions. 
In my practice, I specialize in the removal of Bellafill and Artefill injections, in addition to silicone biopolymers, from the face and body. Initially, treatments are non-surgical with corticosteroids and immune modulators. If unable to be corrected, we can also perform surgery in some cases. 
Silicone biopolymers can also be removed from the body if there are signs of migration or inflammation. All of these filler-types should be removed as early as possible. 
Lastly, our office is conducting ongoing studies of plasma-assisted corticosteroid application, which allows for diffusion of the treatment medication in superficial tissue without causing atrophy. 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Certainly, it would be difficult to predict.  Open surgery with direct excision is effective as it allows removal of the offending agent without additional or surrounding fat removal or deformity.

Am I at risk for further health issues after PMMA injections?

Answers (4)

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