Silicone Injection Removal

Silicone injection removal is a surgical procedure designed to remove silicone that has been injected into the body for cosmetic enhancement. Complications range from minor issues such as silicone migration—where the injected material moves from the original site—to severe reactions like granuloma formation, which are lumps formed in response to foreign substances in the body. In addition to physical complications, aesthetic dissatisfaction can compel individuals to seek silicone removal. Given its permanence and risk of adverse effects, understanding the process of removal becomes crucial.

Luckily, if you are experiencing these uncomfortable issues, silicone injection removal is possible and can be performed alongside the trimodality skin tightening techniques of VASER, Renuvion, or Morpheus8.

At David Matlock MD, we specialize in silicone injection removal, with a small infragluteal crease incision, or a closed technique, so patients do not have to have a large scar across the back. Whether you’re dealing with complications from new or old silicone injections that have migrated or need minimally invasive solutions, Dr. David Matlock is here to help. Dr. Matlock is a double-board certified cosmetic surgeon based in Los Angeles. We offer a specialized service for silicone injection removal from the buttocks with only two tiny incisions underneath the buttocks crease, ensuring improved health and appearance.

Dr. Matlock’s expertise in this advanced silicone removal technique ensures safe and effective treatment. Contact us at (424) 424-1462 or fill out our contact form so that we can begin to find the right solution for you, and take the first step toward restoring your comfort and confidence. We also have the option of virtual consulting, which you can indicate your preference for when you contact us.

About Silicone Injection Removal

Illegal silicone biopolymers injected into the body can cause uncomfortable swelling, stiffness, and other problems. The removal of silicone from the buttocks, thighs, legs, and vaginal area requires considerable preoperative surgical planning and expertise in order to maximize clearance of the foreign body material. ⁽¹⁾ These silicone fillers can migrate from one area of soft tissue to another, causing granuloma formation and diffuse inflammation of the skin and fat. Granuloma, also called siliconoma, is a skin condition characterized by lumpy, red tissue that forms when the body is introduced to a foreign substance like silicone. Granuloma is just one sign that the silicone injections are causing complications. If inflammation is not addressed, it can lead to fibrosis of the skin, which is the scarring and thickening of the skin, and loss of tissue perfusion, or healthy blood circulation to the tissues. This is why it is so important to get illegal silicone injections removed.

Dr. Matlock is a specialist in silicone removal and can help you resolve some of the long-term issues related to silicone injections by carefully removing the product from the body. At our office in Los Angeles, we can help you address the long-term complications of silicone injections while also considering the appearance of the natural silhouette.

Benefits of Silicone Injection Removal

Silicone injection removal is beneficial for multiple reasons.

Candidates

If you have experienced adverse effects from prior silicone injections, such as migration or undesirable physical manifestations, silicone injection removal may be right for you. Candidates must have realistic expectations for the procedure; Dr. Matlock will let you know during your consultation what is possible to achieve and what is not. Good candidates:

Personal Consultation

Your silicone injection removal and journey to a more comfortable life begins with a personal consultation with Dr. Matlock. You can request either an in-person consultation at our Los Angeles office or a virtual consultation via our contact form. Or, you can schedule an appointment by calling our office at (424) 424-1462. During your personal consultation, Dr. Matlock will use his expertise to ascertain the extent of your silicone injection problems. After a thorough evaluation, he will determine the most effective treatment plan for your situation.

Preparation

Dr. Matlock will ensure you are prepared for your silicone injection removal before the day of your appointment by providing specific instructions. To prepare for your procedure, you will complete blood tests and physical examinations that are important to ensure that you are eligible for a silicone injection removal procedure. Dr. Matlock will let you know what medications to avoid and for how long. As with many procedures, we may ask that you discontinue any smoking or nicotine consumption for some time before your procedure. We will also advise that you arrange transportation home from your appointment, as you will be unable to drive directly afterward.

Procedure

What your procedure will look like will depend on the methods that Dr. Matlock chooses to use for your unique situation. The procedure will begin after we administer general anesthesia. Dr. Matlock can physically remove the silicone injections by making incisions on the top or underneath the buttocks and removing the product that is in the tissue. Or, if possible, Dr. Matlock can make one small incision and break up and suction out the product. Which method Dr. Matlock uses will depend on how your body has specifically reacted to the foreign substances. Scar tissue will be removed and Dr. Matlock will take great care to make the new incisions discreet. Silicone injection removal procedures can take anywhere from 1-3 hours. It is important to note that, because of the way that silicone interacts with the tissue, it will not be possible to remove all of the product. However, a majority of silicone removal is possible and this can help improve a patient’s situation.

Recovery

The recovery timeline for silicone injection removal will depend on the techniques used, and how much silicone had to be removed by Dr. Matlock. It is normal to experience bruising, swelling, or tenderness after the procedure is completed. Usually, patients should expect to take 1-2 weeks off of work to provide themselves adequate time for recovery. After this, low-impact activities can be resumed, like mindful walking, desk work, and simple errands. However, it will be a little more time before you will be able to engage in more strenuous activities like exercise and heavy lifting. After 4-6 weeks, you should be sufficiently recovered from your silicone injection removal procedure.

Recovery is different for everybody, so Dr. Matlock will provide you with comprehensive instructions for how to optimize your individual recovery. He may also recommend some products for you to use during your recovery.

Results

The results of your silicone injection removal procedure will be that any further complications from past silicone injections can be prevented. Complications like unevenness of the skin and dpainful swelling can be avoided or ameliorated with silicone injection removal. In turn, a patient’s outer appearance can be improved by the removal of silicone injections. The removal, when done in tandem with any of the trimodality skin tightening techniques, can lend a smoother and more even appearance to a patient’s skin. These techniques may also bring out the contours of the body. Silicone injection removal may result in elevated confidence levels because of how the procedure may result in less pain and discomfort for the patient, as well as an enhanced appearance.

Trimodality Skin Tightening

To improve the contours of the body and the appearance of the skin after silicone injection removal, we employ VASER, Renuvion, and Morpheus8.

VASER

VASER (vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance) uses ultrasound technology to target specific areas of stubborn fat. Specifically, VASER can help surgeons target fat tissue during liposuction. VASER is helpful during silicone injection removal because it allows surgeons to locate and target the silicone that has migrated and incorporated into tissue. The incisions for VASER will be small.

Renuvion

Renuvion, also known as J-Plasma, is a non-surgical procedure meant to tighten the skin and improve the skin’s ability to snap back into place. Renuvion uses minimally invasive helium plasma that heats the targeted tissue with plasma energy. ⁽²⁾ Renuvion can help after silicone injections are removed to restore the elasticity of the skin. ⁽²⁾

Morpheus8

Morpheus8 is a treatment that uses a fractional RF device that delivers energy and carries out microneedling in order to penetrate the tissue. This radiofrequency microneedling stimulates new collagen growth and can increase the elasticity of the skin and new blood vessel growth. ⁽³⁾ All of these properties can help the skin appear refreshed and rejuvenated after silicone injection removal. ⁽³⁾

Cost of Silicone Injection Removal in Los Angeles

The cost of silicone injection removal in Los Angeles will depend on the details of your unique treatment plan, and how much silicone must be removed. In order to receive an accurate quote for your potential procedure, you can set up an appointment at David Matlock MD’s Los Angeles office, centrally located off Sunset Boulevard. To do so, call our office at (424) 424-1462 or fill out our contact form.

Read Dr. Matlock’s blog for more information about our services.

References

1. Bina Kassamali, Kylee J.B. Kus, Min MS, et al. Characteristics and treatment of silicone granulomas: A retrospective multicenter cohort of 21 patients. JAAD International. 2021;3:111-114. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdin.2021.03.007
2. Ruff PG, Gaurav Bharti, Hunstad JP, et al. Safety and Efficacy of Renuvion Helium Plasma to Improve the Appearance of Loose Skin in the Neck and Submental Region. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2023;43(10):1174-1188. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjad055
3. Dayan E, Chia C, Burns AJ, Theodorou S. Adjustable Depth Fractional Radiofrequency Combined With Bipolar Radiofrequency: A Minimally Invasive Combination Treatment for Skin Laxity. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2019;39(Supplement_3):S112-S119. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz055