Frequently Asked Questions About Silicone Removal

• Are there safe options for butt augmentation?

  Yes! Patients who desire a more prominent and beautiful backside have many safe and effective options to achieve their cosmetic goals. Dr. Mendieta delivers incredible results with the following approved and legal butt augmentation procedures:

  • Brazilian Butt Lift
  • Butt implants
  • Butt injections (using Sculptra® Aesthetic filler)

• Can liquid silicone be injected without causing problems?

  In some cases, liquid silicone injections do not result in symptomatic health concerns. However, many patients are unaware of what could be happening in their body until it is too late. Removing the silicone is the only way to reduce the risks associated with black market silicone injections.

• What are the risks associated with silicone removal?

  Dr. Mendieta performs silicone removal with amazing results, but some of the possible risks include:

  • Prolonged swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Scarring
  • Redness
  • Pain

• How can I tell if silicone was injected into my cheeks?

  Some patients do their homework and ask for safer injection options, such as Sculptra® Aesthetic.

  Unfortunately, not every patient does this, and even some that do find that their unreputable doctors lied and injected silicone instead. When this occurs, patients may only learn that it was silicone injected once problematic symptoms start to occur. If you experience any pain or aesthetic deformities, consult with a plastic surgeon as soon as possible.

• How does silicone injection removal work?

  There are two common approaches for silicone removal. Liposuction can be used to suck the substance out. However, this only works on large accumulations of silicone. If the silicone has spread out through the body, it will need to be removed surgically. Your plastic surgeon will give you details about which treatment option is best for your situation.

• How does the doctor know if the silicone has spread?

  An MRI can be done to accurately identify where the silicone is and whether it has spread throughout the body.

• Does silicone removal require me to put under?

  Yes, you will have to either have general anesthesia or conscious sedation. You can discuss your anesthetic options with your plastic surgeon during your consultation.

• Is silicone removal recovery difficult?

  Simply put, yes. Most patients report feeling discomfort and that the recovery from silicone removal is challenging. Patients should be prepared that recovery can sometimes take between two and 10 weeks. Additionally, some patients are left with dented areas in their body where the silicone was removed.

  However, individuals feel happy that they went through the procedure, as keeping silicone in the body is dangerous and can lead to severe problems.

• If the procedure leaves dents in my body, can this be fixed?

  Sometimes silicone removal causes dents in the body once the silicone is gone. The area can be reconstructed post-removal so that it feels and looks natural again. This is accomplished using safe techniques, such as fat transfer.

• Can the plastic surgeon guarantee that all the silicone will be removed?

  Removing silicone is very difficult, and, unfortunately, all the silicone cannot always be removed in a single treatment. Your plastic surgeon will check to see if there is any silicone left in the body after your silicone removal. If some remain, the patient can choose to have a secondary procedure.

• Do all plastic surgeons offer silicone removal?

  No, a lot of plastic surgeons do not offer silicone removal. It is an incredibly challenging procedure and holds some risks. As a result, some doctors don’t feel comfortable with this procedure. That is why it is important you find a plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Mendieta, who specializes in silicone removal and has done it plenty of times before.