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Half of my Face Rotted Off! - Redding, CA

I am a cosmetic laser nurse and injected Radiesse,...

  • 21 Jan 2011

I am a cosmetic laser nurse and injected Radiesse, Restylane and Juvederm for many years. Last February the company sent a new injector trainer to show me and my staff the latest way to augment cheekbones to do the 'liquid lift'. I chose to be injected first before my volunteer patients to see how it felt.

She blocked the blood flow to my left cheek entirely!!! The product is incredibly thick, and this is a risk factor. I looked in the mirror and said, "You've occluded my blood flow." She shook it off and said, "Julie, you just know too much. Now relax and let me do the other side." My husband is the physician in our practice. I wanted to run down the hall and show him but she just downplayed it and kept injecting me. By the time she was through with me and my hubby saw it, it was too late. The tissue was dying.

For 6 months I had pain and disfigurement as my left cheek rotted off and had to regrow. Now, nearly a year later, I am left with pitted skin like severe acne scars. I have lasered it 5 times and only reduced the redness. I have spent thousands of dollars flying around california for medical advice to keep it from scarring, laser treatments, medicines, etc. The company had some Florida doctor call me from his car phone to tell me what to do and what to take. He was a total jerk. I asked the company to please send me to a California doctor so I could see them in person. They wouldn't. I was clearly on my own.

The company couldn't give a crap. They have NEVER called to check on me. The representative sent me one short email that basically said I was in good hands with my husband. That was it. The nurse felt bad, and was super sweet. But even she has not checked up on me since it all went down. I think they advised her not to email me anymore for fear of lawsuit.

I wish there was a class action suit.

They are getting away with horrible business practices.
 

Great review?

My Doctor:

My rating:

Please choose Juvederm, and a qualified, experienced injector who really cares about you. I would never treat my patients the way BioForm Medical treated me. I sent all of my Radiesse stock back to the company for a refund and they didn't even give me a full refund. They just don't care.

Comments (63)

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Teabag2 17 Mar 2013
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InjectorNurse1 17 Mar 2013
I agree Teabag2. The problem with Radiesse is that if you have an ischemic event as many of us have had, you cannot erase it immediately like you can with HAs such as Juvederm or Restylane. Therefore, all I inject these days are HAs (Juvederm is the best). If I ever see artery blockage, I can erase the HA immediately with an injectable medicine called Vitrase. You cannot do that with Radiesse. In addition, my injector did not even know she occluded my artery! Therefore having an excellent injector is absolutely important. I wish you great healing, Julie
jk 24 Mar 2013
Hi Teabag2, Would like to contact you by e-mail. Please let me know what your e-mail is.Thanks, JK
bentley14 28 Mar 2013
Hi my email is heartofheart8125@gmail.com. Thanks
bentley14 2 Jan 2013
Hi Julie.......Today I had my first laser treatment. I was beyond excited waiting for today to come. The dr. was so sweet!!!!! He used two different lasers (and did not charge me anything extra!) I have been wearing the silicone tape nearly full time, but get to leave it off for a few days. I can tell already that the ridge is flatter. I was anxious to share with you, and the others on here. Our bodies have an amazing capacity to heal themselves. And when enough time has passed Drs have incredible tools to finish the healing. THANK YOU for your support :)
InjectorNurse1 17 Mar 2013
Bently, that is such excellent news!!! Which lasers did your doctor use? I often forget it even happened to me. Unless a certain light hits my skin, it looks totally normal, or looks like I once had some acne. I hope our healing helps others. Hugs to you, and please keep me updated!
bentley14 28 Mar 2013
Hi Julie-I truly hope our healing helps others too! You have been an inspiration to me...THANK YOU! I had purchased a gentle yag treatment from Living Social a couple of years ago, but had only used one of the three that came in the package. When I called, they were very willing to honor the remaining two even though so much time had passed. I went in and the Dr. was amazing. He did the gentle yag on my face, but not on the scar. For that he switched to a different laser with no charge. He was very excited to see the result and it made me excited too. AMAZINGLY, with only the one treatment it looks nearly flat. The only raised part is where the hole was the deepest. He told me it may crust and peel a little in the first week and then continue to get smoother over the next month. This is exactly what happened. I continued to wear the silicone tape at night, but not during the day. The scar looks so much better-though it is still evident. I will use my final laser soon and that may be enough. But the Dr has offered to do as many as I would like and pay the same price I paid through Living Social ( $50 each!). I can honestly say that I have had the most wonderful people around me. I actually had a Dr (a plastic surgeon-eye surgeon) ask me about the scar and when I told him what had happened, he told me that he is working with a Dr in Canada to document the cases. He said there are many more cases than people realize, though still a small percentage. He was impressed with the healing given the initial severity. So it does feel like some improvement in reporting and follow up care may be coming. I hope so for all of the others recovering from the injuries. I hope you are doing well!!!!!! Blessings :)
Machaut to Vaughn 27 Nov 2012
A lot of them don't care... $$$$$ I hope you are documenting all of this; I would definitely consider a lawsuit. What they did to you is criminal. I wish you much healing.
InjectorNurse1 27 Nov 2012
Hi Machaut to Vaughn, I decided to post this thread and not pursue legal justice. I think there is more power in telling people how terrible Radiesse is, how the injector nurse who trains people has no idea what an ischemic event looks like, and not to ever consider getting injected (or lasered) by someone you don't know. I have healed beautifully (considering) but took my healing in my own hands (and own lasers.) I paid for everything, and got nothing from Merz, the terrible company who makes Radiesse. I don't regret not suing. I'd rather educate people and look at this as a positive thing that may help others.
MarkK1927 23 Oct 2012
Hi Julie. I'm currently trying to contact a laser specialist because my damage is getting progressively each day and I need some opinions. I made a post: http://www.realself.com/review/boston-ma-fraxel-laser-fraxel-destroyed-my-skinsurprised-fraxel-dual-1927 With images provided and I'm over 1.5 months out and I don't know if this is normal. The condition of my skin is so bad right now, it was full face so my entire face looks burned and crepey. The technician who did the treatment claims it's normal and will smoothen out but for the other damage victims on realself, it just gets worse.
InjectorNurse1 24 Nov 2012
MK, I'm sorry to hear that. I have been using Fraxel re:store for years and haven't seen any complications. I am hopeful for you. Which Fraxel did you get? Re:pair, Re:store, or Re:fine? They are quite different. Take care of yourself and know that the face is the most forgiving skin on our bodies. It truly has amazing healing capacity. Hang in there. So sorry I didn't see this until now. Please let me know how you are doing now. Julie
InjectorNurse1 24 Nov 2012
I just read your posts. I'm sorry I didn't see it earlier. I hope I never see this happen to any of my patients. I think it is partially the technique and training of the nurse of physician operating the laser, and partly how the patient's skin heals and reacts. Staying out of the sun also makes a big difference. I am also wondering if you had Fraxel too soon after your injury. How many months did you wait? I waited a year or so before I touched it with the Fraxel or the Sublative. Before that I used a vascular laser (VP532) and IPL from Syneron SRA head. Thinking of you and hoping your anxiety has lessened. Some of the posts I read on your thread were frightening, and can't help with your anxiety. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Julie
InjectorNurse1 27 Nov 2012
Hi MK, I posted on your thread. Wishing you the best, Julie
bentley14 12 Oct 2012
Hi Julie.....It was such nice surprise to open up my email and see that I had one from you. I quickly logged onto RealSelf and read the updates :). As for my scar, the dr believes the sunken dent is a result of the area being denies nutrition during the dying process of the vein. It can be filled in later with a product called Sculptra, but for now it's better to leave it alone. He did say that he would recommend a series of 8 laser treatments, but since I am a teacher it's hard to schedule that in. I will likely wait until June, when school is out. Plus that will have given my face one full year of healing, and it will probably be as good as it can be without any intervention. I have begun using a red/blue light box for 20 minutes every other day and it has made a real difference. I am hoping that with continued use of the silicone tape, Tanamu oil, and the light therapy I may be healed before I need the laser. Or maybe I will need only a couple, instead of eight. I hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend. And thank you for all of your kindness and support. Good luck to mk14 also. PS. I am in Portland, Oregon.......so not too far from you. I visited Dr Darm up here, though he is not my ps. He is the one that recommended the laser treatments.
InjectorNurse1 24 Nov 2012
Hi Bentley, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving weekend. I had/have a sunken area too, about the size of a pea. I keep it filled with Juvederm. Sculptra is great for experienced injectors. I use it a lot for my patients who have lost significant volume. I like Juvederm for spot (focal) filling better though because it offers quicker results and has collagen-building results too even when the filler is gone. What kind of laser is your Dr. suggesting? There are so many, and 8 is a lot. Just curious. For me, I had better results with a combination of Fraxel Re:Store and Syneron Sublative. IPL helped the color reduction a lot. I use Syneron's SRA head for IPL. I could look up Dr. Darm and see what he or she has available. Take care, and keep that excellent attitude up! You rock :-)
bentley14 27 Nov 2012
Hi Julie.......it is always a nice surprise when I receive a message from you :). I haven't done any laser treatment yet, but I have purchased two to use in December and January. (The "gentle yag" is the type he recommended, what do you think????) I will absolutely check into the lasers you used because you have healed so beautifully. The red/blue light box has worked incredibly well. I do still wear a small piece of silicone tape to keep the scar soft. I only take it off when I shower or wash my face. You are doing such a HUGE act of service to provide all of us with information and support through sharing your experience, and to allowing us to share ours with each other. My injector has called to check on my progress at least a million times. She has switched to blunt tip needles and filed a report with the maker of Radiesse. Thank you so much for your sweetness :) Happy holidays...
MarkK1927 12 Oct 2012
Well, I finally received Fraxel to treat my redness and scarring that resulted from the vascular compromise. It has been one month since the procedure and my skin is falling apart. I already have a very pronounced orange peel texture covering my face, uncontrollable breakouts covering 80% of my face, and strange holes appearing out of no where. On top of that I still have the redness and scarring. My treating technician claimed my texture will smooth out but I don't know. I don't think my skin should look this bad one month post. I wish they didn't talk me into full face. Now I'm just another laser victim... My next step is treating my anxiety and depression with high doses of antidepressants.
InjectorNurse1 12 Oct 2012
mk, the acne component after fraxel is normal. Did they use re:store or re:pair Fraxel? They are very different. I used re:store on mine. I waited many months after the injury to treat though. How long after your injury was your face lasered? Microdermabrasion (done gently) takes off the dead skin at the surface quicker to unclog your pores. I give my patients a quick microdermabrasion if they clog up. I don't charge anything, they just come in and we wisk it off quickly and it really helps them progress with their healing without the blemishes. Where are these strange holes? Is it over the injury area? Fraxel doesn't remove redness. It only helps with texture such as scarring, and tends to tighten skin too. I would love to talk to you and help you through. If you would like to send me a personal email, I can call you sometime. my work email is disappearingact@sbcglobal.net. I truly think you are going to be alright. I'm here to help, so please don't give up. Sending you positive, healing thoughts, Julie
InjectorNurse1 12 Oct 2012
I just re-read your old post and see that you had re:store. That's excellent. Again, you'll need IPL or VP532 to reduce redness, but that can happen later. My redness is completely gone, but there are times when I'm hot that it is more pink than my other cheek. I just look at it and smile. It's my badge of honor, having survived something so awful. It doesn't get me down anymore. IPL and VP532 took it away for the most part. I have done much research on this injury and most people heal extremely well. You will too. If you'd like to email me photos, and converse off-site, my email is disappearingact@sbcglobal.net Again, I'm here for you.
MarkK1927 12 Oct 2012
I received the treatment 3.5 months following the filler injury, I actually received the 1927 wavelength from Fraxel Dual which apparently targets both pigments and some scarring. I was supposed to receive both wavelengths my second treatment but my skin is in pretty bad shape after the first one so I'm unsure whether I want to resume. For some reason I already have that orange peel appearance that everyone has been complaining about months post, it's most apparent on my forehead. I don't know if it's normal or not, if perhaps it will go away in another month? I just don't know and am not willing to risk more cosmetic injury at this point. The technician wants to perform IPL to help reduce the redness but I've decided not to take anymore risk. Judging by my skin's current condition and some of the images and reports I've seen posted by others, I can't help but feel that IPL and Laser complications are not rare. I think I'm going to let the redness fade on its' own, I'm applying Retin-A to the rest of my face in order to rectify the burn victim appearance resulted from Fraxel and hopefully it will help the minor scarring (indents) that seem to have spontaneously appeared weeks following Fraxel as well. Also, even with the numbing cream, that was the most painful thing I've ever experienced. I'm still considering IPL but I may need to consult someone who I know I can trust.
InjectorNurse1 12 Oct 2012
Mk, I wouldn't put Retin-A over your skin until it's completely healed following the Fraxel treatment. You could add insult to injury, so to speak. Fraxel does take some pigment off, but brown only. The red needs to come off with a vascular laser or IPL. I would wait a couple of months after the healing of the Fraxel. I would stick to the re:store wavelengths, not both. I wonder what settings your technician used... would like to see photos to help more, if you are comfortable sharing. I use IPL and Fraxel re:store every day in my practice and could let you know if your healing is 'normal.' Fraxel usually resolves the orange peel appearance, not cause it. Hmmm... Again, if you would like to talk off-site, my email is disappearingact@sbcglobal.net take care and still wishing you health and healing. Julie Kaplan
MarkK1927 12 Oct 2012
How long does it take to fully heal and how would I know? How about using benzoyl peroxide for my acne?
InjectorNurse1 12 Oct 2012
Healing time varies. The roughness will be gone (the dots flake off) and your skin returns to a normal, healthy tone and texture. The acne will likely resolve once this happens.. The probable reason for your acne break out is those dots from the Fraxel are still clogging the pores. You can gently exfoliate these in the shower with a washcloth and soap. You could also get a gentle micro-dermabrasion treatment from your clinic. Maybe I'd wait 2 months before using a medicine such as Retin-A or benzoyl peroxide. You could also try a topical or pill antibiotic once the dry, dead skin flakes off.
bentley14 21 Sep 2012

Hi again Julie......I keep looking at your result for inspiration when I'm not sure that my scar will heal. I have no redness at all, but the scar is kinda like a skinny worm, about 1.5 inches long) from my tear trough downward to my cheek. At the lower end there is a noticeable indentation. Did you have this? I purchased several microdermabrasions and a couple of ipls to use when I'm healed enough to use them. Tamanu oil is keeping is soft, pus I keep it covered with silicone tape always. I am grateful for your encouraging message of hope. PS- my injector has offered to inject the hollowed are for free, as well as anything else I may like. She also offered to refund my original payment. I didn't want that....I felt so bad for her....she was devastated. She says it will make her very happy to correct the area around the scar, so I am going to have a tiny bit of filler injected in two weeks.
With tremendous appreciation.......cindy

InjectorNurse1 12 Oct 2012
Hi Bently, Does she understand WHY this happened? I would ask that before I'd allow her to fill the indentation. Also, I would try fraxel re:store or re:pair too. Preferably first. These lasers truly take indentation out of scars. I wish you lived close to me, I would love to consult with you and perhaps give you a fraxel treatment. It really made a HUGE difference in my scarring. I did have a physician that I trust put filler in my scar before I purchased the fraxel machine. It's ironic that I had to buy a laser to get rid of my scar... ha ha, but it has been great for my practice and my patients, so I guess that is another good thing out of the bad. :-) Where do you live? I'm in northern California.

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