What do Tampa, the Bronx, and Argentina have in common? All boast recent tragic headlines about deaths related to large-volume injection of permanent filler substances used to enhance the buttocks.
The injections in question involved the use of large amounts of synthetic substances such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), silicone, and polyacrylimide to augment areas of the body like the buttocks and breasts. The Physicians Coalition for Injectable Safety warns that this practice can cause disfigurement, serious permanent injuries, and even death, as has been shown in real cases both in the U.S. and overseas.
In the U.S., the PMMA-based filler Artefill is the only permanent filler which is approved for use as a cosmetic injectable. However, it is not approved for injection into the buttocks or breasts. As of this writing, the only methods of buttocks augmentation which are accepted by the medical community (and supported by studies on safety and effectiveness) are the injection of the patient's own (autologous) fat and the use of FDA-approved implants.
While there are legitimate off-label uses for a variety of dermal fillers, any ethical cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist will tell you that large-volume injection of permanent synthetic fillers is a dangerous practice. The risks range from things like infection and granulomas to necrosis, kidney failure, and pulmonary embolism.
In short, for the sake of your looks, your health, and possibly even your life, it is exceedingly important to seek out a well-qualified physician who understands what types of injection procedures are unproven at best, potentially fatal at worst.
See plastic surgery before and after photos.
