Why did my filler only last 5 months?

By Diane4897 on 18 Jun 2012

I am extremely upset that my $1,100 worth of Radiesse only lasted 5 months. It made a dramatic difference and I got compliments all the time and now I am extremely disappointed that it didn't last longer. I thought it would last at least 10-12 months. I have had Restalyne and it lasted much longer and was a lot less than the Radiesse. I explained my predicament to a doctor friend of mine and he said that he attended a seminar on dermal fillers and when the Rep asked how many doctors cut it 1/1 only a few raised their hand. When asked how many cut it 2/1 about 1/3 of the room raised their hand and finally when asked who cut it 3/1 most of the doctors in the room raised their hand. Shame on them for cheating their patients because I will NEVER use the doctor that I went to again. When I called and told them what happened they said I was welcome to come back and purchase another syringe at $100 less than what I paid. What a deal - NOT!!! I guess because there seems to be no regulations regarding cosmetic fillers the doctors can rip us off all they want.

Comments (4)

Diane4897 19 Jun 2012

The PA was definitely alluding to her diluting all the fillers - I'm not sure how this is accomplished and yes, Botox is a relaxant which is what our doctor friend might have been talking about but since I mentioned the Radiesse not lasting I certainly thought that issue was what was being discussed as well. By the way why is my name showing as Diane4897? That is not the online name I chose to be identified with.

Diane4897 19 Jun 2012

I don't think anyone would be that self-incriminating to actually tell you they diluted it on a website for the whole world to see. I also forgot to add that I saw another doctor before I made the choice to go where I got my procedure done and the PA at the other doctor's office also said that the doctor I went to was known for "cutting", i.e., diluting the fillers, especially Botox. Unfortunately I didn't believe it and went ahead. Now I know they were telling the truth.

Megan P (Community Manager) 19 Jun 2012

Ah, perhaps that is where the confusion is stemming from. Botox can be mixed at different ratios. However, Botox isn't a filler, it relaxes the muscles, where a filler plumps the tissue - two very different effects.

Megan P (Community Manager) 18 Jun 2012

I don't blame you for being disappointed that it only lasted 5 months. At that cost, who would even want to pay to keep it up?!

I wasn't aware that fillers were diluted before being injected, and I'm guessing that is what you are referring to when you say cut 2/1, 3/1, etc. To make sure I fully understand this, and that we are passing around good information I have posted the question below in our Q&A section. That way the board certified doctors who volunteer on RealSelf can share their opinions with us. It usually takes 24-48 hours for answer to start to be posted.

Can Radiesse Be Cut (Diluted) with Something else Before Injecting, or is It Straight from the Tube?