Female Ultrasound Guided VASER Assisted Silicone Buttock Removal | Dr. Katzen*

Our patient is a Black female in her 50s who came to Dr. J. Timothy Katzen after developing painful complications from silicone injections placed in the buttock region by another surgeon.  At 218 lbs at the time of surgery, she maintained her normal routine, but over time the silicone migrated beyond the original injection sites and began affecting nearby regions.  This migration can trigger ongoing inflammation that leads to swelling, firmness, tenderness, and discomfort with sitting, walking, and everyday movement.  Our patient reported increasing pain and frustration as the area became more symptomatic and uneven in appearance.  After a thorough evaluation and surgical planning, Dr. Katzen performed a silicone removal procedure in the buttock region using an ultrasound guided, VASER assisted foreign body removal method under general anesthesia.  Ultrasound guidance is a key part of this approach because it provides real time imaging of silicone pockets and inflamed collections beneath the skin.  Rather than relying only on what can be felt by hand, ultrasound helps identify where the foreign material is located, how deep it sits, and how widely it has spread.  This allows Dr. Katzen to plan safer access points and target the areas that are contributing most to swelling and pain, while avoiding unnecessary disruption of healthy tissue.  Once the silicone pockets were mapped, VASER technology was used to assist with the removal.  VASER is commonly known for advanced liposuction, but in this setting it can help loosen scar tissue and break up the dense, irregular foreign material so it can be removed more effectively.  Migrated silicone often becomes intertwined with the body’s tissues and surrounded by scar tissue, so a careful and controlled technique is essential.  Dr. Katzen focused on removing as much foreign material as safely possible, reducing inflammatory burden, and improving contour while protecting important structures and preserving healthy tissue.  These photos were taken one week after surgery, so it is normal to still see some swelling at this stage, but our patient already shows encouraging improvement in the treated areas.  Our patient achieved remarkable early results and is experiencing meaningful relief as healing progresses.  With continued recovery and close follow up, the tissues typically soften and refine further over the coming weeks and months, helping improve comfort and overall shape.