“Sculptra lumps caused by inexperienced doctor”
Sculptra: NOT worth it
Cost: $900
Pain: Severe
Pain: Severe
Sculptra satisfaction: Poor
i had sculptra 18 months ago by a dr. that i worked for at the time - i was the guina pig for his learning the technique. well, he never massaged my face of mentioned to me anything about massage, just told me to put ice packs on my face that night - i was swollen and bruised like crazy. i also developed 2 bumps under my right eye that weren't noticable at first (only to the touch), but now are prominent. it grosses me out to touch them and i am terrified that they will never go away. i don't know what to do!
Sep 17, 2008Comments and replies (13)
17 of 18 people found this review helpful
This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.
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1 post
10 Oct 2008
I am freaking out! I had sculptra 5 weeks ago and a week later noticed a small lump under my right eye- you can't really see it but you can feel it. It seems to be getting bigger and I think you can see it in certain lights. Today I noticed a new tiny lump under the other eye. I just wonder if they keep growing and if they ever go away. There doesnt seem to be a site that tell you what to do or how to treat them. Any info on this would be greatly appreciated.
3 posts
11 Oct 2008
Raptorannie, I'm so sorry you had such a dismal experience -- it seems to have been such a different one than mine. For what it's worth there IS good news for you: I'm told Sculptra responds to Kenalog injections just as does Restylane, etc, and may thusly be "dissolved". Thus your "bumps" may be treated, but do pick your next doctor carefully!
6 posts
12 Oct 2008
thank you ! since i posted i have been to see a plastic surgeon and his only advice to me is surgery - which will leave a scar under my eye unless i have a blephroplasty(sp?) so they can go in under the skin... another lump has come up under my other eye (not as noticible) and one on the right side of my nose. i had my medical records sent to my new doctor and there is NO consent form and only a one line mention of "sculptra - tolerated well" - i am so scared to have surgery and yet, these things are so prominent that i am very self consious when talking to anyone - they stand out soooo much!
14 posts
2 Dec 2008
Hi, How long have you had the Sculptra for? Could the lumps be explained by the fact that Sculptra requires a few months to disintegrate?
6 posts
3 Dec 2008
i had it done in the fall of 2007 - the lumps are very hard and prominent - 2 plastic surgeons have adviced me that the only way to get rid of them is to surgically remove them. they are also continuing to appear, over a year later.
unregistered guest
3 Dec 2008
It has been my experience that surgions usualy offer surgical solutions. Just because he/she recommends a surgical solution that will perminantly scar you does not mean that you have to accept it as the only solution. Remember, Sculptura is a form of alpha hydroxy acid. The molecule has been modified to be persistant, not perminent. Thus, the lump will eventually go away wheras the scar will probably stick around your whole life.
91 posts
4 Dec 2008
One year later and the bizarre side effects just keep on getting worse and more painful. I cannot find any reputable plastic surgeons who will remove. I am so desperate to get this stuff out of my face. Not "only" are there visible disfiguring lumps, indentations, and deep eye creases on my once lovely face, but a add to that, a constant irritating sensation, as if the layer under my skin has been invaded by some toxic foreign particles. Actually, that is exactly what is happening. How did this 'one' get run past the FDA? My pray is that scientist will find an agent to dissolve polylactic acid. This is truly one of the most evil for profit scams.
14 posts
4 Dec 2008
seriously?? lumps for 6 months to one year?! i thought it would break down by itself in a matter of a few months, according to their website? could this be due to an overproduction of collagen production in situ? i imagine using some light laser treatment that is used for keloids or hyperthropic scars may help the lumpy areas subside? t
91 posts
5 Dec 2008
A real plastic surgeon who specialized in facial reconstruction wouldn't even know where to start - perhaps my under eye area, the interior of my mouth, my chin, rebuilding the support system under my eye, filling in the 'x' like deep creases which formed in the indentations of my once smooth under eye area, oh the traveling nodules, putting 'fat' how insane does sound, a fat transfer, to fill in the indentations, rebuilding the support structure under my right eye and magically erasing the discoloration. And after that, I would need support to rebuild my trust. I never agreed/consented to subjecting MY FACE, my health, to some big drug company trial study or even knew that there were these kind of people who hold medical licenses who would inject pla into a patient's face as if it were some no risk, whatever. After all, and I quote "It isn't surgery"... I am just too sick to my stomach to even go on. This is really a 'special injectable'.
1 post
12 Dec 2008
I have also had a horrible experience with sculptra - I have since read online that it is NOT for the under eye area. My lumps started showing up 5 months after the injections, they are still growing now 7 months later - some are right up under my eyeball (lower) even though the sculptra was injected lower - it pushes on my eyeball & is awful. I also have the severe creases under both eyes, where there were none before & some of the lumps are bumpy "ropes" about 2 inches long - also indentation next to the "ropes", even though the ropes protrude - it is absolutely horrible - do not use this under your eyes - try the shorter lasting collagen builders instead!