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POSTED UNDER Lip Surgery REVIEWS

Silicone Removal from Lips and Re-shape - Santa Monica, CA

ORIGINAL POST

I had silicone 5000 injected using the micro...

OnepinkminxAugust 6, 2016
$4,500
I had silicone 5000 injected using the micro droplet technique 7-8 years ago. At first they looked great, but over time lumps and bumps began to form. The top left lip was an area of concern where it was larger and hung down. On the right side there was a divot. I used fillers to even then out which was costly and temporary. I decided to look for a long term solution and found Dr.Raffy who says he specializes in silicone. The doctor said I was a good candidate. Several months after the consultation I decided to go through with it. I'm currently at day 9 and there is a still a great deal of asymmetry on the top lip. The stitches are still in place. I'm trying to be patient to see final results. As it stands, my bottom lip looks ok, however the top is deformed. I will continue to post updates.

Onepinkminx's provider

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 124 Reviews
PROFILE

Replies (11)

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Dr. Karamanoukian
August 9, 2016
Thank you very much for your insight. Removal of silicone is a difficult process and requires a dedicated approach. For many patients, silicone injections can be a lifelong and permanent problem with no real solution. I have treated hundreds of patients cope with a disease process (foreign body reaction) that can be devastating, deforming, and even life threatening. I have advised patients for the last decade to avoid any type of permanent filler in their lips but continue to see this as an epidemic problem. I can understand your frustration with the process as every patient wants the problem to 'just go away,' but unfortunately complications from silicone injections are lifelong and permanent. In our office, we help patients cope with this problem when the majority of doctors have no viable solution. We cannot make the silicone disappear but have to work with patients to find some hope with this difficult problem.
KareLa
October 17, 2016
An El Paso doctor injected my lip with liquid silicone when I had an appointment to get Zyplast Collagen 13 years ago. I didn't know until after the injection that it was silicone. I was horrified and reported the incident to the TX Medical Board. For the last 13 years my lip has continued to enlarge & change shape. I visited a local board certified plastic surgeon 5 years after the injection & he would not agree to excise the silicone due to risk of lip deformity. There were not many doctors doing this kind of surgery at that time so I gave up until now. 6 weeks ago I had two pencil eraser sized lumps removed from my upper lip. The recovery is not as quick as I had anticipated & my lip is still numb. Along the vermillion line & just below is very firm with scar-like tissue which I massage daily to soften. The shape of my lip is a little asymmetrical because there is a little scarring that feels contracted on one side. My smile is tight but getting better with time. By far the worst part are vertical lines that have appeared that look like smoker's lines (I don't smoke). My lips feel like they are pulling towards the center & the lines actually continue from the skin above my lip into the pink part of my lip. My doctor thinks it will relax over time. I certainly hope so. Dr. Karamanoukian is spot on with when he says do not use liquid silicone to augment lips. I would never have chosen a permanent filler but got it anyway & I encourage everyone to stay away liquid silicone. I'm hoping for a good final result, but I totally understand what Dr. Karamanoukian is talking about.
rich rich
January 2, 2017
Hi dr Raffy. I am having a hard time getting in touch with you regarding aquamid removal or lip reduction. ????
jess453
August 11, 2016
Please keep us updated.
lip1
August 22, 2016
Are your lips healing well?
rich rich
January 2, 2017
How did you manage to contact him? There does not seem to be a stand alone email. I've tried 3 times through the web site but get no reply.
lipstickjunkey
January 9, 2017
Hi darling I hope you are healing well. I had my butt injections removed awhile back from another dr. It just how every body bodys will react differently
Good luck!
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