There are a number of procedures, treatments, and materials that have fallen out of use in plastic surgery and aesthetic medicine because, over time, they have proven to be potentially harmful to patients. One of these is methacrylate in buttocks. We explain why you should say no to this treatment.
What is methacrylate?
Methacrylate, also known as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), is an acrylic material used for industrial, dental, and medical purposes.
Can methacrylate be injected into the buttocks?
The answer is a resounding “no.” This compound should not be introduced into the body, whether in the buttocks or breasts, as it can result in severe and even fatal consequences for the patient.
Years ago, some doctors would mix methacrylate or silicone with the small amount of fat they could extract from their patients to reinject it into the buttocks, adding shape and volume. Today, this practice is banned due to the severe complications it can cause, such as pulmonary embolisms, kidney failure, and even death.
Reasons to say no to methacrylate in buttocks
- Causes pulmonary embolisms.
- It’s illegal.
- Releases calcium into the blood, contributing to kidney stone formation.
- Causes permanent skin inflammation and granulomas.
- Risk of death.
Can methacrylate be used in any treatment?
The use of methacrylate is only authorized as a facial filler in doses of 1 to 3 milliliters, and it can only be administered by specialists in aesthetic medicine or plastic surgery.
When methacrylate is improperly injected into the buttocks, the microbeads in the material spread throughout the fat and gluteal muscles, adhering firmly to the tissues.
The body may react in various ways, even years after the injection. For example, methacrylate causes chronic inflammation of the tissues, leading to granulomas. It also stimulates vitamin D precursors, releasing calcium into the blood, which contributes to kidney stone formation.
In severe cases, patients have died due to embolisms that formed shortly after methacrylate was injected into the buttocks.
Is there a solution for methacrylate in the buttocks?
Yes. To address plastic surgeries involving methacrylate injections in the buttocks or breasts, the material must be removed. Depending on the case and the extent of infiltration, results may vary, but they will always be better than leaving the methacrylate in place.
The goal of secondary gluteoplasty or mammoplasty is to improve the treated area, achieve harmony with the patient’s physical characteristics, and eliminate deformities.
Dr. Alfredo Fernández Blanco
The plastic surgeon Dr. Alfredo Fernandez Blanco stands out in his branch of medicine, as the best breast surgeon, he is also a pioneer in the so-called secondary surgeries or sequelae. With more than 30 years of experience and thousands of successful cases, he continues to achieve the most natural results that can be expected in a cosmetic surgery operation.
