Foreign Body Lip Injection Removal After Illegal Permanent Filler Injections*

Foreign body injection removal of the lips can be life-changing for patients dealing with painful, permanent filler complications.  Our patient is a 41-year-old White female who sought Dr. J. Timothy Katzen after having permanent fillers illegally injected into both her upper and lower lips 20 years ago by an aesthetician in Germany.  She had been told the material was a biopolymer.  Over time, she began experiencing burning sensations in her lips and wanted the product removed.  Dr. Katzen recommended surgical removal of the foreign body material from the lips to address the symptoms and improve the lip contour.   Under general anesthesia, he carefully opened the upper and lower lips, located the abnormal material, and removed the permanent filler from the tissue.  This procedure is often necessary because permanent fillers do not simply dissolve and may continue to irritate the lips for years.  Lip filler removal surgery can help reduce discomfort, remove hardened or damaged tissue, and restore a softer, more natural appearance.   The focus is not only on removing the product but also on improving the way the lips feel and look.  These photos were taken 1 week after surgery and already show our patient’s remarkable result.  Her case reflects Dr. Katzen’s skill in permanent lip filler removal, removal of foreign bodies from the lips, and treatment of biopolymer lip injections.  Early post-operative healing already shows a more natural shape and a healthier lip contour.