Silicone Removal from BBL in Los Angeles

Silicone BBL Removal Los Angeles | Biopolymer Removal Buttocks | Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian | Kare Plastic Surgery Santa Monica

Kare Plastic Surgery · Santa Monica · Los Angeles

Silicone BBL Removal Los Angeles

Q: Can all silicone be removed from the buttocks?

Complete removal of all injected liquid silicone is not always achievable because silicone disperses through tissue planes and integrates with surrounding fat over time. However, the majority of accessible silicone and surrounding granulomatous tissue can be removed through open surgical excision, significantly reducing symptoms and disease burden. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian uses the Karamanoukian Grading Scale to classify each patient before designing the removal protocol. Call (310) 998-5533.

Q: What is the Karamanoukian Grading Scale?

The Karamanoukian Grading Scale for Soft Tissue Inflammation is a proprietary classification system developed by Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian to evaluate the severity of silicone disease before surgery. Grades 1 through 4 guide whether immediate surgery, staged procedures, or pre-surgical preparation is most appropriate. It is the foundation of every silicone BBL removal consultation at Kare Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles. Call (310) 998-5533.

Q: How is silicone removed from the buttocks?

Silicone injected into the buttocks is removed through open surgical excision, in which incisions are planned in the buttock fold to access and remove the silicone deposits and surrounding granulomatous tissue. Standard liposuction alone cannot adequately remove liquid silicone because it has integrated with surrounding tissue. MRI mapping is performed before surgery to determine the extent of silicone and any migration to adjacent areas. Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles performs silicone BBL removal for patients nationwide. Call (310) 998-5533.

804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · (310) 998-5533

Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian is one of the country's foremost experts in silicone BBL removal and biopolymer extraction. Using the proprietary Karamanoukian Grading Scale, he performs comprehensive surgical removal of silicone and biopolymers from the buttocks, hips, and thighs for patients throughout Los Angeles.

Schedule a Consultation Now Silicone Removal Overview

Los Angeles Silicone BBL Removal

Santa Monica Biopolymer Removal

National Leader Karamanoukian Grading Scale

Nationwide Patients Same-Week Consultations

MD FACSDual Board-Certified Surgeon

Grading ScaleProprietary Protocol

Leading CenterForeign Body Filler Removal

(310) 998-5533Same-Week Consultations

Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian MD FACS, dual board-certified plastic surgeon, Kare Plastic Surgery Santa Monica Los Angeles, national expert in silicone BBL removal biopolymer buttock removal and silicone disease treatment using the Karamanoukian Grading Scale

Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD FACS Silicone BBL Removal Expert · Dual Board-Certified Kare Plastic Surgery · 804 7th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90403 · (310) 998-5533

Silicone BBL Removal · Los Angeles

Expert Silicone and Biopolymer Removal from the Buttocks

Illegal silicone, hydrogel, PMMA, and other biopolymers injected into the buttocks cause a progressive inflammatory condition known as silicone disease. The body cannot break down or eliminate these foreign substances and mounts a chronic immune response that produces granulomas, skin changes, pain, and in severe cases systemic complications. These materials cannot be dissolved with an enzyme and cannot be adequately removed with standard liposuction. Surgical excision is the only effective approach.

Kare Plastic Surgery is recognized as one of the leading centers for foreign body filler removal in the United States. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian developed the proprietary Karamanoukian Grading Scale for Soft Tissue Inflammation, which classifies each patient's severity before surgery and guides the removal protocol. Patients travel to Kare from across Los Angeles and the country for this specialized care. See our silicone disease complications page and our silicone removal overview. Call (310) 998-5533.

FDA Warning: Injectable silicone and all fillers used for large-scale body contouring are not FDA approved and carry serious risks. If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, rapidly spreading redness, or high fever after buttock injections, seek emergency care immediately. For evaluation and removal, call (310) 998-5533.

Kare Plastic Surgery · 804 7th Street, Santa Monica

Suffering from Silicone Disease? We Can Help.

Same-week consultations available for patients nationwide. Call or book online now.

(310) 998-5533

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Karamanoukian Grading Scale · Soft Tissue Inflammation · Kare Plastic Surgery

Grade 1: Minimal inflammation. Soft, pliable tissue with little or no skin change. Conservative monitoring and early intervention planning.

Grade 2: Mild to moderate inflammation. Early skin discoloration and firmness. Localized itching or mild pain may be present.

Grade 3: Moderate to severe inflammation. Significant skin discoloration, granuloma nodules, and moderate to severe pain and itching. Evidence of silicone migration.

Grade 4: Severe inflammation with fibrosis, ulceration, and possible systemic involvement. Staged surgical approach required.

Silicone BBL Removal at Kare Plastic Surgery Los Angeles

Intraoperative suction canister containing blood and silicone-containing tissue removed during silicone BBL removal surgery at Kare Plastic Surgery Los Angeles by Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, showing surgical extraction of biopolymer and silicone from the buttocks using open excision technique

Silicone BBL Removal · Kare Plastic Surgery Los Angeles Intraoperative collection canister during silicone BBL removal surgery at Kare Plastic Surgery, showing tissue and biopolymer removed from the buttocks by Dr. Karamanoukian using open surgical excision. (310) 998-5533.

Surgical Removal Techniques at Kare Plastic Surgery

Open Surgical Excision

The primary approach for silicone BBL removal. Incisions are planned in the buttock fold and crease to access the silicone deposits and surrounding granulomatous tissue. The silicone and inflamed tissue are removed together. Preoperative MRI mapping identifies all silicone deposits before any incision is made. Complete removal of all dispersed silicone is not always achievable, but maximal removal significantly reduces disease burden and symptoms. Staged procedures are used for Grade 3 and Grade 4 disease.

Why Liposuction Alone Is Insufficient

Standard liposuction removes liquid fat but cannot adequately aspirate liquid silicone that has integrated with the surrounding fat and fibrous tissue. The granulomatous inflammatory tissue that forms around silicone deposits must also be removed, which requires direct open access. Dr. Karamanoukian may use specialized suction-assisted techniques in combination with open excision to address both free silicone and the surrounding affected tissue in a single surgical session.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can all silicone be removed from the buttocks?

Complete removal of all dispersed silicone is not always achievable. However, the majority of accessible silicone and surrounding granulomatous tissue can be removed through open surgical excision, significantly reducing symptoms and disease burden. Dr. Karamanoukian uses the Karamanoukian Grading Scale to plan each patient's removal protocol. Call (310) 998-5533.

How is silicone removed from the buttocks?

Through open surgical excision with incisions placed in the buttock fold, preceded by MRI mapping of the silicone location and extent. Standard liposuction alone cannot adequately remove silicone that has integrated with surrounding tissue. Dr. Karamanoukian may combine specialized suction with open excision. Call (310) 998-5533.

What is the Karamanoukian Grading Scale?

A proprietary classification system developed by Dr. Karamanoukian to grade the severity of silicone disease from Grade 1 (minimal) to Grade 4 (severe fibrosis with possible systemic involvement), guiding the surgical approach and staging. It is the foundation of every silicone BBL removal consultation at Kare Plastic Surgery. Call (310) 998-5533.

Kare Plastic Surgery · Los Angeles & Santa Monica · 804 7th Street

Remove Your Silicone with Dr. Karamanoukian

Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, dual board-certified plastic surgeon at Kare Plastic Surgery, performs expert silicone BBL removal and biopolymer extraction for patients throughout Los Angeles and nationwide using the Karamanoukian Grading Scale protocol. Same-week consultations available.