Buttock augmentation remains a popular aesthetic procedure, but not all methods come with the same safety profile. Silicone butt injections, in particular, have been known to present considerable health risks, often overshadowing their appeal for enhancing buttock aesthetics. Here, we explore both the dangers of silicone injections and discuss the recommended safer treatment options available.
The Danger of Silicone Butt Injections
Silicone has a broad range of legitimate medical applications, serving a crucial role in the creation of certain implants and in the treatment of medical conditions. However, silicone injections for cosmetic enhancement, specifically for buttock augmentation, have attracted significant controversy due to their unapproved status by the FDA and associated health risks.
Increased Health Risks: Silicone injections have been associated with severe complications. These health issues can range from tissue scarring and damage to dangerous infections at the site of the injection. More alarmingly, injected silicone can migrate through bodily tissues leading to grave consequences such as strokes or heart attacks—risks that are further exacerbated when injections are administered improperly by individuals without medical credentials.
Lack of Medical Expertise: One of the primary concerns is that these injections are frequently performed by unqualified individuals. The absence of proper medical training magnifies the potential for complications. These non-medical practitioners often operate in non-sterile environments, such as hotel rooms or private residences, posing an increased risk of infection.
Substandard Material: In many cases, the silicone used by non-professionals is not medical-grade and may be akin to what’s found in hardware stores for domestic use. This inferior quality silicone is not designed for injection into the human body, therefore it can contribute to undesirable outcomes, such as the formation of granulomas or unsightly lumps and bumps under the skin.
Aesthetically Unpleasing Results: Beyond the severe health risks, silicone butt injections may fail to deliver the desired cosmetic outcomes, with chances of the silicone hardening and distorting the natural contour of the buttocks.
Safer Alternatives for Buttock Enhancement
For those considering buttock augmentation, there are tried and tested procedures that prioritize patient safety while promising effective results.
- Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL): BBL is a well-regarded procedure that uses the patient’s own fat to enhance the buttocks. This method significantly reduces the risks associated with foreign substances, offering a natural look and feel while minimizing the likelihood of rejection and complication.
- FDA-Approved Fillers: Leveraging approved fillers under the guidance of a board-certified plastic surgeon ensures that only substances proven to be safe and effective are used for enhancement.
Opting for buttock augmentation requires a careful consideration of the potential risks involved with different procedures. Silicone butt injections pose significant health dangers and should be avoided in favor of safer, medically approved alternatives. Consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon is crucial to exploring these alternatives and ensuring both your safety and satisfaction with the results.
Where Does the Silicone Come From?
There have also been cases of rogue injectors substituting materials that aren’t silicone at all and causing disfigurement or even death. Some of the mystery, definitely-not-FDA-approved materials used have included mineral oil, tire sealant, and cement. Ensuring that your treatment provider is reputable and operates in a safe medical environment is critical.
If you’re not supposed to get silicone injections to enhance your buttocks, then what should you use instead? You actually have two options if you want to increase the size of your butt. The first is butt implants, similar to breast augmentation using silicone implants, but they are placed in the buttocks. Another option is liposuction, followed by surgery using fat from your own body as a type of filler. This process is known as body contouring, and while it may come at a higher cost, it is a safer way to attain the desired results.
What is the Brazilian Butt Lift?
The second option is more popular and comes highly recommended by plastic surgeons for those who want natural-looking butt augmentation results as they age. It’s the Brazilian butt lift, which is a form of the popular fat transfer procedure.
The procedure uses fat from your own body to augment the buttocks, such as from your tummy or hips. This can be seen as a two-in-one procedure, like a tummy tuck combined with butt augmentation. To perform the procedure, your doctor will first harvest the fat from one area of your body where you have fat to spare. He or she will clean and sterilize the fat, then inject it into your buttocks until they reach your desired size and shape.
Unlike silicone, which is a foreign substance that your body could reject (or worse), the fat injected during a Brazilian butt lift comes from your own body. It’s a familiar substance, meaning there’s no risk of rejection. While you may need to adjust your diet and exercise habits to maintain your results, the benefits of using your own fat far outweigh the risks.
Recovery after a butt lift will take a couple of weeks. During that time, you’ll want to avoid sitting or placing pressure on your backside as much as possible. Your surgeon might recommend a special cushion to sit on to minimize pressure.
While a Brazilian butt lift is generally a lot safer than silicone butt injections, it’s important that you work with the right surgeon if you’re considering the procedure. You want to find a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience performing the Brazilian butt lift and other enhancement procedures, such as botox or breast augmentation. Your surgeon should be able to show you evidence of their work, such as before and after pictures of previous patients or even videos.
Choosing a Surgeon for a Brazilian Butt Lift
In the Houston area, Dr. Paul Vitenas is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than two decades of experience. He regularly performs Brazilian butt lifts and other body enhancement procedures at his practice, including the removal of silicone injections. To learn more about the benefits of using your own fat to enhance the size of your butt, call 281-484-0088 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vitenas today.
In the Houston area, Dr. Paul Vitenas is a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than two decades of experience. He regularly performs Brazilian butt lifts and other body enhancement procedures at his practice, including the removal of silicone injections. To learn more about the benefits of using your own fat to enhance the size of your butt, call 281-484-0088 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Vitenas today.
