There is, in fact, no FDA-approved injectable filler for large-scale body contouring. However, this has not stopped unqualified people posing as doctors from injecting dangerous materials like industrial silicone, cement, or mineral oil into patients’ bodies. When loose silicone is introduced into the body, it can cause many side effects, including death.
If you know or suspect that you have unapproved liquid silicone in your body, visit Dr. Agullo, a board-certified plastic surgeon, to remove this hazardous material.
What Are the Benefits of Liquid Silicone Removal?
This procedure is ideal for women and men with silicone injections who:
- Experience pain or infection from illegal silicone injections
- Have scarring or disfigurement from illegal silicone injections
- Have granulomas (a hard tissue formation) due to illegal silicone injections
- Want to remove their unapproved injections
Am I a Candidate for Liquid Silicone Removal?
People who have undergone illegal or unapproved silicone injections may be candidates for silicone removal.
In addition, proper candidates should:
- Be in good overall health
- Not have any previous medical conditions that can impact their healing
- Not smoke
- Have realistic expectations of your results
Are you a candidate for liquid silicone removal? Call Dr. Agullo at (915) 590-7900 to set up a consultation.
Why Should Liquid Silicone Be Removed?
Harmful or Deadly
When liquid silicone is injected near blood vessels, it can travel through the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, heart, and brain. This can result in blood clots, strokes, and even death.
Painful
Liquid silicone can become incorporated into healthy tissues, which can cause them to harden and form granulomas. This can be extremely uncomfortable. Removing silicone injections will restore comfort and peace of mind.
Unnatural Looking
Unlike approved cosmetic enhancement materials, such as fat, implants, or facial fillers, liquid silicone can move within the body and change its form, leading to unnatural-looking results.
Infections
Industrial silicone is the most common injectable material used by unauthorized clinics. This silicone is not sterile and is prone to infections. Many clinics will substitute mineral oil or cement (PMNA) as large-volume fillers. Most of the time, the body will find ways to push these materials out.
At Agullo Plastic Surgery, tailored care begins with a full consultation to discuss the goals and options available.
What Is Discussed During My Liquid Silicone Removal Consultation?
A consultation with Dr. Agullo is required to determine candidacy for surgical removal. During this consultation, he will examine the area to determine how or if the silicone has expanded or traveled through the body.
Patient safety is of the utmost importance, and removing this dangerous material is often the only course of action.
How Is Liquid Silicone Removal Performed?
Silicone injections may or may not cause symptoms immediately following the treatment.
If you know that silicone or other material was injected anywhere in your body, see a board-certified plastic surgeon right away.
However, some patients do not know that their injections are made of silicone, mineral oil, or cement. Pain, itchiness, discoloration, and the formation of granulomas are signs that the injected material is not safe.
Surgical Removal
Liquid silicone binds to healthy tissue. This makes removal very difficult and also prevents liposuction from being a potential treatment option. Surgical removal of the liquid silicone is the only course of action.
Dr. Agullo makes an incision near the treatment site before all loose silicone (or other foreign material) is removed. Incisions are closed, and you will be required to wear a compression garment.
How Should I Prepare for My Liquid Silicone Removal?
Ensuring that you are prepared for your surgery will allow you to start your recovery on the right foot. You have likely experienced complications with your liquid silicone injections, and this procedure will help restore comfort and safety.
To prepare for your surgery, be sure to:
- Bring any paperwork and your ID to the procedure
- Have a family member or friend waiting to drive you home
- Not eat or drink anything on the day of your procedure
- Stop smoking at least six weeks before your surgery
- Stop taking any blood thinners for two weeks before your procedure
- Not drink alcohol the night before your surgery
What Are Your Concerns?
What Can I Expect for My Liquid Silicone Removal Recovery?
You will be asked to wear a compression garment and take it easy after your silicone removal. The extent of recovery will depend on the treatment area (buttocks, breasts, or face) and will vary by patient. Dr. Agullo can give you a better expectation of what you can expect to experience during your consultation.
Be sure to rest and take some time away from all vigorous activities. Most patients require a few days away from work to recover.
Is My Liquid Silicone Removal Painful?
As liquid silicone removal is performed under anesthesia, there should be no pain during the treatment.
Prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication can be taken to reduce any discomfort following the procedure.
Will My Liquid Silicone Removal Leave Scars?
Small incisions are necessary to remove the unwanted silicone safely. These incisions will leave scars; however, these scars are often small and will fade with time.
Dr. Agullo does his best to place these incisions in discreet locations whenever possible.
When Will I See My Liquid Silicone Removal Results?
You will start to notice your results immediately after treatment and can anticipate seeing relief from liquid-silicone complications shortly after. There will be some swelling in the treatment area that may take weeks to resolve.
As liquid silicone binds to the tissue, there is no guarantee that Dr. Agullo will be able to safely remove all the silicone; however, most patients experience significant improvement in both comfort and aesthetics.
What Are Some Frequently Asked Questions About Liquid Silicone Removal?
The silicone used in a silicone breast implant is a gel substance encased in a solid silicone shell. This gel cannot move freely through the body or integrate with healthy tissue.
While silicone injections, or similar injections consisting of PMMA (acrylic), cement, or certain oils, are dangerous, you can safely enjoy the same aesthetic benefits from many approved procedures. Fat grafting is available to add volume and definition to the buttocks, face, and lips.
Fat grafting uses fat harvested from another part of your body to augment your desired areas. Because it is your fat, there is no chance of infection, rejection, or toxicity. Fat grafting is one of the safest cosmetic procedures available to you.
You can protect yourself and your health by doing thorough research before you undergo any cosmetic procedure. All cosmetic treatments should be performed or administered by a licensed healthcare professional. Doctors should be board certified and only use products that have been approved by the FDA.
Also, you should never get a large-scale filler injected into the body, especially one made of silicone, PMMA, or cement.
Patients who have undergone illegal silicone injections to the buttocks often do not know they have other approved and safe options for buttock augmentation.
These safe and reliable methods include:
Interested in Liquid Silicone Removal?
If you want to learn more about Dr. Agullo’s liquid silicone removal procedure, contact his office by calling (915) 590-7900. Dr. Agullo offers liquid silicone removal for patients in El Paso, Texas, and the greater El Paso area.
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