“Radiesse Nightmare”

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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".

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!

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?

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!

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!