Silicone Butt Injections: Why Risk The Side Effects?

A recent documentary by singer K. Michelle has brought to light why some women desire the perfect body (Season 1 Episode Suffering In Silence K. hides in bathrooms painfully scratching at the sores from her silicone butt injections). This has often led to many women getting silicone injected into their buttocks for fullness and to conform to social norms. 

Silicone injections into the buttocks for cosmetic use is not FDA approved. The FDA rescinded the use for silicone injections for cosmetic purposes in 1992.

Silicone butt injection side effects were often seen years later; these complications were often disfiguring and often permanent.

Complications Can Occur at The Time of Initial Injection

This is different than the silicone that is used in breast implants.

The only FDA improved silicone oil that is FDA approved is in small amounts for ophthalmic use. After having butt injections, many patients want the silicone from the buttocks removed once the complications appear.

• Silicone can get into a blood vessels and travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and can be fatal.
• If the silicone travels to the brain, a stroke can occur.
• Silicone oils are used in lubricants and caulking materials.

After a butt injection procedure, it is difficult to almost impossible to remove all of the silicone.

This silicone can often be visualized by MRI and is often dispersed throughout the muscle and fatty tissue of the buttocks. Surgical removal of the tissue in the most problematic areas are often performed.

Burning, redness of the skin and dimpling of skin are some of the common complications. The silicone can often pool in the lower buttocks and give a hanging appearance. Surgical removal can also lead to scarring and disfigurement.

In Summary: Silicone For Body Enhancement Butt Injections is Not FDA Approved.

After any silicone butt injection procedure, medical attention from a board-certified plastic surgeon should be obtained if any symptoms occur such as hardening of the skin and infections.

Immediate medical attention should be sought if any shortness of breath, numbness in the extremities or difficulty breathing or speaking.

Do not Receive any Silicone Injections From an Unlicensed Health Provider.

Before considering silicone butt injections consult with a board certified plastic surgeon.

BBL or Brazilian Butt lifts are performed by transferring fat from one part of the body to the buttocks.

The fat is harvested from multiple sites by liposuction and injected into the buttocks.

All of the fat does not survive.Pressure must be kept of the buttocks to increase fat survival.

A BBL is a safe and FDA approved alternative to butt injections.

When sitting, A BBL pillow is used to avoid pressure on the buttocks. Six weeks or more of pressure relief is suggested. This procedure also has potential complications. Fat emboli can occur at the time of injection. This risk is increased if the fat is injected into the gluteal muscle.

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons suggests the direct muscle injection should be avoided. 

Before considering any of these procedures, consult a board certified plastic surgeon. As portrayed in the documentary, many of the long-term risk and complications cannot be undone.