20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
Radiesse provider: Not specified
I had Radiesse injected into N/L folds and marionette lines two days ago. Also had Captique done for vertical lip lines. I was told that there would be "minimal discomfort" and perhaps some mild swelling and/or bruising. Even with the injections of local anesthesia it was EXCRUCIATING! I was trying not to scream as the p.s. just told me to breathe since he didn't need me passing out in his office. (Thanks for the compassion.) He "massaged" the area by my mouth so hard I felt like I was being punched in the face!
Now the whole injected area is almost black and purple...I look like a domestic violence victim and don't dare leave my house. Even makeup will not cover bruises this severe. The swelling is freaky and I am terrified that I will have this "joker" from Batman smile forever. Even with the swelling beginning to subside, I look odd...not like myself at all, and the bruising is a nightmare! Who knows how long it will take to heal or how I will explain it to people.
I will NEVER, EVER, EVER put anything into my face again, and I am so disappointed in myself that I bought into the oppressive culture that tells me it is not okay to be 46, I must look 25 forever. I would pay another $2,000 to make it go away. Can't WAIT to have my lines back!
Radiesse reviews by RealSelf.com users
Avg cost $1,098
53% say Radiesse was worth it
47% say Radiesse was not worth it
2/8/08
omg - your story is identical to mine. Even our age is the same. My son commented that I looked like the joker from Batman too. He scolded me for doing stupid things when he says I look good. It has been a month for me since the injections and I still look aweful. I am terrified to stand and talk with people. I am an instructor at a college and had to tell my class what happened just to be able to stand infront of them. What I did to try and look more youthful and better has been a nightmare. Gawd, I for one hope it doesn't last as long as they say. Like you - never again.
2/12/08
There are many qualified, trained people that inject fillers and it actually turns out quite well. I have had radiesse once for the cheek area and it turned out great. However, I also let the doctor know to go easy so I could analyze the results. Upper lip fillers always look bad...just do a series of light tca peels to get rid of small vertical lines on upper lip. You can buy tca peels- 15% to 30% on line.
2/14/08
Oh boy, I'm so sorry you had the same experience! I went back to the doctor a month out and he gave me a course of steroids as well as an antibiotic in case there was an infection going on. The big lumps were too large to call it Radiesse because there was more "stuff" in that area than what had been injected. So...he assumed it was probably some edema from trauma to the tissue. The day after the first dose of steroids the swelling was down by at least 50%. The joker smile (AUGH!)has mellowed out and now it looks great. I am left with some lumpiness, but it's tolerable. You can see it, but you have to be looking kind of closely. There are now two areas where the lumps were that are pink from what looks like spider veins (tissue trauma again). I am going to a new doctor to have them treated with a laser. I only hope and pray that they can be corrected. What a nightmare it all turned out to be. Maybe if you talked to your doctor you could try some oral steroids and see if that helps. Worst case, it can be cut out. Not fun, but it can be done. Good luck!
2/19/08
Once you finished with the oral steroids, did your swelling stay gone or did it come back at all? I am scared that once I have finished with the steroids, it will all return.
2/21/08
The portion that decreased (it was edema I guess) stayed gone. There is still a linearity I can see and feel; but it's not obvious to people around me. I must have missed your earlier post -- did you have the same thing? Are the steroids helping? No, I don't think you could expect the benefit of the steroids to get reversed. Good luck to you.
4/14/08
HI I READ YOUR HORROR STORY ABOUT RADIESSE AND HAVE SAME PROBLEM BUT I HAD IT INJECTED UNDER EYE-IM 28 YRS OLD SINGLE MOM OF 2 AND SO UPSET I LOOK LIKE THIS AND SPENT SO MUCH MONEY-I DID HAVE IT DONE IN CHECKS AND IT LOOKS GOOD-BUT UNDER MY IS A BIG WELP LOOKING LINE-PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT STEROIDS DID YOU TAKE-I SHOULD HAVE NEVER GONE TO DOC I WENT TO-ARE THEIR INJECTABLE STEROIDS TOO???AND DID THEY MAKE A BIG DIIFERENCE-DID IT BREAK DOWN RADIESSE-THIS IS REALLY RUINING MY LIFE-PLEASE LET ME KNOW-THANKS -JEN
4/14/08
please let me know what steroids you used-my doc is clueless how to get rid of radiesse
4/20/08
Dear Jen,
Sorry for the delay in responding. I don't check that email account very often. I am so sorry that you had a bad experience too. What happened in my case was a localized reaction to the Radiesse and the injection trauma...it was inflammation that was the problem, not the Radiesse itself. The steroid was a 7 day dose pack and it relieved much of the inflammation, though I am still getting laser treatments for the pinkish areas at the corners of my mouth. Steroids will not break down the Radiesse, but if you are dealing with an inflammatory response to it they could help. In any, any, any case...the product WILL go away. It doesn't last forever, (though it may seem like it when you don't like what you're seeing.) Mine was done in December (only 4 months ago) and it seems like it has calmed down A LOT. What I learned from all of this was to stand firm against the pressures to have "work done" and accept myself as I am...a reasonably pretty middle aged woman with a reasonably good heart. Please don't get discouraged...if you can go to someone else for a second opinion I would. Good luck to you. -- JK
4/26/08
Hi Donna,
I was 47 when I had the radiesse injected into N/F. It has been 11 months and the crap is still in my face.
I also looked like the joker when I first wan injected, not to mention freakish. I pray that my face goes back to its original contour. My major concern is that this stuff has been bulging out of my face for so many months that my face has been stretched. Never again will I use radiesse. I hope the product dissipates for you quicker than mine.
4/28/08
I can understand how you feel, I feel the same way, and hoping don't strech my skin, and worry skin may lose when produt gone.
4/29/08
OMG ladies STOP!...steriods...laser...this is not treatment! look up all that stuff too before you further damage your beautiful selves. Oral steroids are no small matter no matter what the docs say,read the package insert and see you you'll take those risks they have very serious side effects especially to your metabolism and Docs hand them out like candy to all who are swollen, you'll have a whole bunch of other problems that make the "joker" look like play time and maybe not be from radiesse at all.
4/30/08
Hi, i had radiesse about a month ago, then went on holiday. I noticed about one or two weeks after Radiesse under my eyes (for tired looking area)that there was a bony-like lump under each eye. I'm back from holiday now and about to phone up GP. I also suffered terrific bruising to my cheeks, which took over two weeks to disappear. I would NEVER have radiesse again.
5/1/08
Ladies, first allow me to say how very badly I feel for each of you that have had such horrific experiences with Radiesse. I know that when we have anything traumatic like this to ourselves it effects us so deeply. I have been researching Radiesse and am scheduled for a consultation this Saturday. Now that I have read all of your heartfelt, painfully honest, reviews, I have completely changed my mind.
THANK YOU! Please know that the time you have taken to write your reviews have saved at least one other very grateful lady from a terrible experience. I cannot thank you enough, and I pray that each of your healings are expedited and this will all be a faint memory for you very soon.
I have done Restylane and Juviderm before, both with very positive experiences. I will stay with the sure thing now.
Blessings, Linda
5/18/08
Ladies,
I too feel so bad for each of you. I had radiesse put into my facial folds about a month ago. I have had no problem with that but she put it around my top lip as I had two very small verticle lines starting. I can't stand my upper lip. It looks swollen. I am so embarrassed. I am going to my physician tomorrow at 6:15am. She said she could put in a shot of cortizon but wants me to wait longer. I can't stand it. I am going to insist on the shots. Has anyone had luck with this?
5/20/08
Hi,
Two different surgeons informed me to wait it out after my nightmare injections.
It has been 12 months and the crap product is still in my N/F area. I now have lines that I never had before because my face has been bulging unnaturally for 12 months. I am still devastated by what happen and understand how you feel.
I am very sorry that your experience has also been horrible. Please let me know if the cortizon works for you because I would still consider if it would make the radiess product totally dissipate.
I think the product should be banned.
Good luck,
Shannon
5/23/08
Shannon,
I had cortisone put into the line across my upper left lip line and a shot put into a bump on my right upper lip. It definitely has helped!!! I am going back for a recheck on Tuesday and want another shot across my right upper lip line.
I am ok with the radiesse that was put into my laugh lines (going from my nose down to my mouth). It's the lips I wish I would of never done!!!
5/23/08
Jayme,
What are TCA peels and where do you buy them on line?
Sandi
6/13/08
Do any of you girls live in california? And by any chance do you know a Dr. Werschler????? Like you I have been so stressed out..I'm praying this will get better, but it's only been since April of this year.. my email is Cloeffler2000@yahoo.com.. pls stay in touch with me...P.S. one doc tried to squeeze the stuff out of my mouth shortly after and all that came out were an insignificant amount of crystals...we are told this will go away, so I sit here and wait..Pls. keep in touch w/ me.. Thanks.. Cristina
6/17/08
Dear Christina et al,
I'm so sorry that you had a horrible experience too. The doctor I went to for a second opinion (Illinois) said the only way to get it out is to cut it out...and I believe they would go in through the inside of the mouth, as the outside would leave a scar. Ouch. Please hang in there. It cannot possibly last forever. But I'm with Shannon...I think the stuff should be taken off the market.
6/21/08
Hi all..
I'm gonna have a consultation in Bioscor clinic this afternoon for doing nose job with radiesse / restylane.
I was thinking to add my nose bridge a little more but your stories really scares me out. what should i do?
will restylane be safer than radiesse?
please suggest me by email.
Thank you
tina
6/22/08
stick with restylane, which I never tried radiesse. I hate the product and it disfigured my face. I had no issues with restylane.
6/29/08
I had radiesse under the eye area and came up with bumps and redness. Injected April 28 2008... two an half mo. ago. still lumps and red. This makes me depressed and I don't want to go anywhere. I have been to three different doctors and they all say wait. The news out there is very sad. I don't want to look at anyone in the eye and I'm always looking at myself. Drives me crazy!!
What is the answer???
7/1/08
I am sorry to say I also am having issues with this product. I had it done just yesterday, didn't tell anyone I was going. When I got home I couldn't stand to look in the mirror. This stuff will last at least a year they say. I had it injected into NF and creases to the sides of my mouth. I have the joker smile too, my profile is ruined. I can't even sleep, I wish I never had this done. I don't know why my doctor used this product over the Restalin he did on my friends. They look great I look disfigured. Some things I have read said this will last 2 years? Help please, need advice I am sick over what I have done to myself.
7/1/08
Hi Jo, I'm also sorry for what I have done to myself. This is not a good product. I have redness and bumps under my eyes and they say it will go away but not soon enough. If its brown it won't. It sucks!!! Thank God its not brown but still hope its O.K No one seems to have an answer but wait.....
If you just got it done give it sometime at least 10 weeks. My thought are with you!!!
7/1/08
I'm sorry the radiesse has worked so poorly for you. I feel bad that the only answer you have been given is to wait! I know other RealSelf readers would love to hear more about your story. Please consider writing a review. Click here to describe your experience with radiesse.
In fact, if anyone has an experience with a cosmetic treatment or procedure, we also want to hear from you! Go here to share your story.
7/4/08
Jo~
How are you doing? Has it calmed down at all? I am waiting for it to dissolve as well. I just tell myself "This too shall pass". Don't point it out to anyone. Maybe you are noticing it more (that's what I tell myself). I understand how you feel.
Sandi
7/6/08
Hi Judy.. Still here in the waits with all of you.. yes.. I still have the joker smile and do not look like myself with other problems.. still speaking with a lisp... Have any of you been treated by a a dermatologist by the name of {edited}. He's from Seattle Washington or Spokane ,I believe. He has traveled to San Fran. California....I'm so sorry were all stuck like this. Please think carefully about having it surgically removed.. I'm worried as to the type of scars you might end up with.. Pls stay in touch with me..you can contact me on my email.. {edited contact info}.. AGAIN HAVE ANY OF YOU BEEN TREATED BY A DERMATOLOGIST BY THE NAME OF {edited}????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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7/7/08
OK... it has been a week since the injections and I must say it does not look that bad any more. The swelling is gone and the bruising is almost gone. As for the joker face, it has calmed down as well but I still look a bit puffed out around the sides of my lips. I wish my doctor would have explained that this stuff does not really fill in the lines as much as it puffs the skin under the lines, kind of like having cotton balls in you cheeks. I still don't think it was worth the extreme pain and trauma. On a side note, I had Botox the same day on forehead and around crows feet, it came out great and almost no pain. I would not get Radiesse again. It should be gone in a year. Another thing I was told is that it continues to work and "fill in" long after the initial injection, is this true? If that is the case the worst of the Joker face has not yet appeared I fear.
Jo
7/7/08
I had Botox and am happy with it too. The radiesse in my laugh lines are fine as well. It is the radiesse put across my upper lip that is the problem for me. I had one small vertical line on my left upper lip. All the radiesse did was widen the line...very strange to me that a doctor would take the chance of putting this in someone's lips. Dr. Sinclair noted on this website that the first treatment last 3-6 months with a second tx lasting 12-18 months (and somewhat semi-permanent as it produces the growth of collagen). I will never get this product again either so I am banking on the 3-6 months). Mine has calmed down but I still want it gone (out of my lips)! My lips feel somewhat tight as well. I think it will only get better knowing you will not use the product again. I think I have a joker look going on too...but it is subtle. I had it put in on April 24th so it has not been 3 months yet and it is getting better...certainly not worth the trama it has caused me!!! And to think I paid for this!!! :(
7/10/08
Hi everyone.
They are not supposed to use it under the eyes or around the lips. Doctors have had notoriously bad results with that; it's a shame that some of them still don't know better.
As for me...I had mine done in mid December (a bit less than 7 months ago)...had the Marlon Brando chipmunk cheek thing going on but it was primarily edema from the tissue trauma. Oral steroids worked wonders. Then I was left with pink patchy skin at the corners of my mouth from the ruptured blood vessels. I had it lasered down twice and thank the Lord it is gone now. All of it is gone. The joker smile is gone. The slight wrinkle/marionette line is coming back (Hooray for the wrinkles!!!) and I am looking just fine now. I write this so you can all know that it doesn't always last for a year. The stuff does settle down and mellow out eventually. Too bad so many of us have been so traumatized by it though. My take home lesson is: No more procedures! Ever! I'm going to age gracefully and with gratitude! Best of luck to all of you!
7/16/08
Thanks for your words of encouragement!!! I appreciate it!
I am just shy of 3 months of having this done. It looks much better on my left side (of my lip). The right side of my lip is a little bumpy and has a risen line across the top of it.
What are the laser tx you are talking about? Again thanks for being positive!
Sandi
9/9/08
severe swelling and edema from lidocaine injections before radiance.
I look old and my nasolabial folds are severely swollen from lidocaine shot.
did the steriod make you gain quick weight?
thanks marie
9/12/08
No, the steroids didn't make me gain wt. It was only a 7 day course. And now, 9 months after the injections it is all gone. Wrinkles are back, only now I don't mind at all!
9/15/08
Hi everyone, I'm having a hard time with radiance. I had the injections done April 28th 08. I was full of trauma for almost two to three mo. I went to a new doctor in Beverly Hills. He has been very calming and understanding, he wanted to make it better for me so I had some laser done to help with the redness and it seems to be much better. Although the redness is much lighter, I also have bumps which seem to be going down. He has been a big help and feels its going to be O.K and will go away within six mo. I just pray.
9/15/08
Hi Laura Ann,
So sorry to hear you had trouble with Radiance but hopefully the new doc will be able to help you out!
Would you consider sharing your Radiance experience with our readers by posting a review? It sounds like you could provide some great insights into the procedure.