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“Radiesse Nightmare”

Emmilou 31 posts

Comments (106)
Updated 3 Sep 2009
Posted 23 Apr 2009

Not Worth It

Spent: $700 in CT

I am distraught with my cheek treatment. I have visible lumps under my left eye and both eyes look older and more tired. My previous pretty (but aging) face is a real mess. Also, my Dr. injected near the corners of my mouth and overfilled the right side. It looks like I have a cyst!

My Dr. wants to "go back in," saying I need more. Well, no way after her first disaster...I'm probably going to seek out a plastic surgeon to attempt to help me -- he'll likely have more experience w/injectables. Otherwise, I'll have to wait it out. This stinks! LaniBee

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

My Doctor: Name not provided

It tends to lump up and resists being "massaged into place" -- it just didn't work. Never again!

looking down on cheeks

looking sideways onto right cheek (the better one) hah!

January 1, 2009 photo

Vote: 26 members found this review helpful

Comments (106)

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jk (7 posts) 25 Apr 2009

Lani,I know how you feel. I had similar results with injections in my cheek, close to my eyes. This was 14 months ago and I still have increased bags under my eyes bc of radiesse. Some day I will have a lower bleph, but I am waiting. I do hope that you are doing better. JK

Emmilou (31 posts) 26 Apr 2009

Well, in fact, the left under-eye area is more swollen. It looks like a big water sack (but I can feel the product lumps inside.) Really, really awful, especially as they're sooo uneven. I'm considering a lawsuit. Anybody do that yet? Thanks, Lani

bsd48085 (5 posts) 18 Jun 2009

Lani, I am trying to contact lawyers at the present. Same problem, but in my nose & lips. I can tell you what doesn't work- Kenilog steroid injections. I already contacted their customer center twice & keep getting the blow off. I can post if I find anything legal out & please post the same if legally you find someone willing to take the company on. Barb

Emmilou (31 posts) 18 Jun 2009

Hi Barb -- I contacted a lawyer via email & explained what I was aiming to recoup...which was a complete refund, psch. damages (self-esteem, anxiety, etc) and plastic surgery to remove the lumps and correct the areas. He wasn't interested. Not sure any attorney is interested -- not enough in it for them! They get these complaints all the time. I say go for it anyway -- I called a medical malpractice guy (even though it's not "medical" but "esthetic.") good luck!!!

Natalia77 (6 posts) 26 Apr 2009

Hi Lani I hope your doing better since then! Your bottom pic looks great but I understand what u r going thru! I myself am going thru some very HORRIFIC times with my Restylane injection in my lips I had 11 days ago & I do not know what to do? My lip blowed up like a golf ball/deadly pain/than it exploded with pus deflating everything! & now I am lopsided & cant close my mouth or even step out to the store etc.I'm new on here & found this site hoping to get some feed back from some other dR's on this site or anyone but I can't seem to post it thru? So if you have some time to chat with me I could maybe explain my prob also bcuz I have no one else that can seem to understand me until I get in contact w/my nurse who mutilated me.=( PS just 2 let u know Ive had numerous experiences with Restylane b4 & I never had it this horrific thing happen or have ever heard happen to anyone! So please get back to me if u have a chance thanks & god bless.

Neena (20 posts) 3 May 2009

Never ever let a nurse inject you!Always go to a plastic surgeon or dermotologist. I have had restylane injected in my lips three times.yes it swells for awhile but should not puss up or explode.Go to a doctor and document this in case you end up need to sue. This should not have happened to you.Like I have stated before call the manufacturer.Tell them you had this reaction.Do you have anything stating that this is the product that was injected?

Emmilou (31 posts) 4 May 2009

Hi Natalia -- the bottom pic is my before pic -- I don't look like that anymore...I look older and more tired...plus lumpy under the eyes. I would NOT let the nurse touch you again...she must work under a Dr. -- insist on the Dr. That's my best advice for now!

Natalia77 (6 posts) 4 May 2009

Hi Neena thanks for your comment I will send u a message on your page if I figure out how? If not then I'll post it below on here? Hi Emmilou Gosh I really hope u r doing better & it has gone down?!!thanks for your feed back!

Natalia77 (6 posts) 4 May 2009

Neena,Omg!Thank u so much for your advice!Well I finally talked to the nurse who done it & she said she will fix it? But I told her Im going to wait until its sort of healed b4 she pokes me again. But 2 days ago I had a feeling that the other side of my lip was going to pop just like the other,which it finally did I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing (not as much pain)where now she has to inject the whole entire upper lip (instead of half)& I hope this will not make her more annoyed that she has to inject it all back the way she did the first time? Which I'm expecting her to not charge me for the whole?? If she does then I will be really upset & devastated!=( I am seeing her in 3 days I really hope she fixes what she has done?! Just to let you know I've had Restylane injected previously before & never has this happen!! Thank u so much I will keep u posted again after I see her.

Emmilou (31 posts) 5 May 2009

Natalia -- you're going to let the nurse inject you again? You're a very brave & trusting woman. I sure hope you come out of it WITHOUT exploding lips! Good luck!

Neena (20 posts) 3 May 2009

I had a slightly similar problem with this product but in my hands.My knuckles get red and itchy.I have a lump on my right hand that hurts.Did you call the manufacturer?They should be able to help you since are having some type of allergic reaction. I didn`t have any problems with restylane or botox.

Emmilou (31 posts) 4 May 2009

Hi Neena -- I tried to send the company (they make botox, restylane, perlane, Radiesse, and more. I wasn't surprised to learn that there was a "problem" sending my correspondence to them...on their end. I used a Dermatologist whom I really thought was great. She's very state-of-the-art. I used her for Fraxel treatments with no problem. I may try calling the mf., but my product has already settled & hard.

mychel_ (unregistered guest) 5 May 2009

Radiesse is manufactured by BioForm. They do not manufacture Juvederm, Perlane or Restylane.

Emmilou (31 posts) 7 May 2009

I know the mf. is BioForm...they also make Botox, I think. I was led to believe they make the perlane & restylane....guess not! No biggie.

Teabag (45 posts) 2 Aug 2009

Emmilou, How are you today? It's such a shame what happened to you. I also have the problem of having been injected with Radiesse that left a swollen mess under my right eye. I see so many people describing the same problem on this Realself website. Why is this still going on? Why are Doctors getting away with injecting this product when it is 'Not Recommended'? Did you get any satisfaction yet? Has your swelling gone down any? I think there should be a class action suit but its pretty hard to get back at anyone in the Medical Field. Let us know how you are.

Lawgirl (9 posts) 9 Mar 2010

If my doctor had mentioned to me that Radiesse was NOT approved for use in the eye area and that there have been no studies on this product to track results after one year of use, I would NEVER had agreed to this procedure. My purpose was to get rid of undereye circles and have no downtown. She told me no problem. Well I am on day 5 and have so much swelling and bruising there is no way to cover it up. Doctors should not be performing an off label use of a product that there is absolutely no scientific studies on. My doctor said she had never had a problem before and called Bioform and spoke to the person that had seen a lot of this. My question is that if the company has seen a lot of this reaction why are they still marketing it for this procedure? I made an Adverse Event Report to the FDA and want to be compensated for this atrocity.

Emmilou (31 posts) 3 Aug 2009

Hi and thanks for writing. I still have the "mess," but it seems SLIGHTLY improved. I'm planning on the full year+ to get back to whatever normal will look like then (geez, I'll be 53+ by then). Anything's better than this. I have not yet made an attempt to get some compensation from the Dr. I've drafted a letter, but haven't sent it yet...guess I'll get the courage up sometime (soon)...Em

Teabag (45 posts) 10 Aug 2009

Hi Ladies, I have now been to two other Plastic Surgeons who say there is nothing that they can do for me. I just have to wait for the swelling to go down. I called BioForm, the people who manufacture Radiesse and talked with someone for an hour about my situation and all the other victims that I can see here on Realage. They said they can only give my Doctor suggestions on how to help, because I am not "their patient" I am my "Doctor's patient". Well, isn't that nice? My Doctor is not answering my calls or messages. What I do have is a phone number to call and put in a complaint with the FDA. It's called MedWatch and the # is 1 800 638-2041. It's called Centers for Medical Devices, for some reason. We all need to get some documentation to get this product off the shelf and out of peoples faces!!! So this is the first step. I will try to find out about a class action suit, but it's very hard to sue anyone in the business money making monopoly called "Medicine".

Lawgirl (9 posts) 9 Mar 2010

I emailed the company and the compliance officer said he couldn't help me because he didn't have a medical background but wanted the name of the doctor. I told him to put me in touch with someone with a medical background and he never did. He did tell me that there is no science on the use of this Bioform product under the eye. My doctor waited for two days to get a call back from a Bioform rep that sees this all the time. My doctor had never seen it. They are encouraged because they see a yellow tinge and suggested apple cider vinegar. I am furious and contemplating legal action.

Emmilou (31 posts) 11 Aug 2009

Thanks for your research, Tea. I may also contact them. As for my Dr. -- I'm sure she's thrilled I've made no more contact after I cancelled my follow up (she said I needed "more" -- not on her life!). Why isn't your Dr. being responsible by answering your inquiries? Are you being "inflammatory?" You can write a review on her/his practice -- in a search engine (I use google) type in the Dr's name -- a service where you can rate the Dr. should be in search results. I have had nothing but bad luck w/Drs. lately! Keep me posted!

shannon10 (16 posts) 31 Aug 2010

I am also from Connecticut and had a horrible experience with radiesse. My face was ruined by a board certified plastic surgeon. Radiesse should be removed off the market. The manufacturer should at least have a solution to dissolve the product after horrible results, like restylane. I plan on calling the number listed within the postings with the hope that the product is removed off the market. Please let me know if there is a class action suit, I would love to see the company pay for the damage to our faces.

drmichaelstampar (1 post) 26 Aug 2009

aculty of Bioform, I train physicians in injection techniques. I am also a trainer for Sculptra and have actually treated myself. I am mortified by these stories because after countless syringes of both fillers I have never seen these complications. As I have always contended, the result is Totally dependent on the skill and technique of the injector. Radiesse is very unforgiving due to its longevity, which in my practice is an asset. Unfortunately, although I only train Plastic surgeons, Facial Plastic surgeons, and Dermatologist for the most part, any physician who wants to start doing fillers can call and get trained. Sculptra's mfg, Sanofi Aventis, only trains board certified doctors in these specialties. The problem is that not even everyone qualified to do fillers is good at it. Then there are the "non-core" docs who decide to become an expert at a weekend course or single training session and practice on you.The best referral source is a satisfied patient. I assure all of you, it's not the product, it's the injector's technique. The same goes for Sculptra or any filler for that matter. It should be treated like artwork, not rushed. It should be delivered a "needlefull" at a time, not in blobs to be massaged. It should be a pleasant and a "wow" experience, just like the mirror says. Ideally, 3-5 days of feeling firm or swollen. I excel in periocular treatment but there are more wrong ways to do it than right. I am sincerely sorry for all of your complications but you have to choose your doctor carefully, look at their motivation, profit or perfection?

6850anon (12 posts) 18 May 2010

Hi Michael I really appreciate your taking the time to respond. I believe radiesse can be a great product when injected properly. For years I was thrilled with the results I achieved from the product. Then I had a string of bad luck with doctors. It has now been 14 months since my last injections and Im still devastated. My once high lovely cheeks have been pulled down toward my chin. The left side is worse so my smile is crooked. I cannot give a real smile anymore, it looks as if Im "holding back." Please tell me, could my face muscles have been hurt by the treatments and will they ever recover? how long will this nightmare last? I miss my pretty smile!

Emmilou (31 posts) 27 Aug 2009

Michael. Thank you for your attention to our various disasters...never thought a "trainer" would take the time. You're right re: the skill & technique. My dermatologist was certified in family practice but practices derm. Oddly, she was educated in polymer science before becoming a physician...oh, well. I'd used her before with no problem, so I never imagined that outcome. It's been nearly 5 months since my treatment & it's still plain-as-day. She acted like it would settle in a short while, but I know she realized the error right away. I wish I'd given her a harder time about it, but I just "went away." So, I'm out $1200 or so & my formerly pretty OK face is bedraggled looking. At 52, time's a-wastin' & I've lost alot. Thanks. Any more info would be great. There are lots of us PO'd women -- with money to spend on this stuff --so get it right, finally!

Emmilou (31 posts) 27 Aug 2009

One more thing for Dr. Michael the trainer -- part of the fault has to be placed with the manufacturers' willingness to train "anybody" who wants it -- even those GPs wanting to "become an expert" in a weekend. But, of course, it's money to you!

	“Radiesse Injection - Not Happy with Under Eye Results” 3 comments
	“I Had Radiesse Hand Rejuv a Few Hours Ago - Love It!” 2 comments
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“Radiesse Nightmare”

My Doctor: Name not provided

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