Migrated Buttock Injection Removal with the Open Technique and Butt Lift*

Migrated buttock injections can create more than a cosmetic problem because they may cause chronic pain, tissue damage, and changes in contour that worsen over time. Our patient is a 30-year-old Black female who came to Dr. J. Timothy Katzen after receiving one session of foreign body injections to the buttocks in 2017. She had originally been told the product was Macroline, but as time passed, she developed pain that kept getting worse and believed the material had migrated. When foreign material moves through the buttocks, it can irritate the tissue, cause inflammation, create scar tissue, and leave the area feeling firm, tender, and misshapen. Under general anesthesia, Dr. Katzen performed silicone injection removal of the buttocks using the open technique so the affected tissue could be directly identified and removed. This approach is often necessary because migrated material may be trapped within the tissue and cannot simply be suctioned away. After removing the painful and contaminated tissue, Dr. Katzen also performed a posterior butt lift to elevate and reshape the buttocks for a smoother, more natural contour. This combination procedure is important because it addresses both the underlying medical issue and the visible deformity caused by the foreign body injections. These photos were taken 2.5 years after surgery and show our patient’s remarkable long-term result. Most importantly, she is relieved of most of her pain and enjoys a smoother, lifted contour.