Sculptra
Sculptra before & after photos
60%
209 reviews
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“The Whole Truth Please”

41 posts
Comments (70)
Updated 29 Mar 2009
Posted 24 Mar 2009
Not Worth It
Spent: $2,000 in California

I am writing in this particular site because after spending an hour or so in here I am shocked at how misleading the info is in regards to sculptra. The truth is that granulomas form - often times they can be seen. The granulomas are permanent and extremely disfiguring.

This material sculptra is a foreign body and your system will attack it as long as it remains in you. This is an implant, its not like other fillers. While the benefits only last 2 years the granulomas are forever unless you excise them. This is not easy to do without causing more damage. My hope is that this info will help you to make a more informed decision - go with a filler that if lumps form they can be removed in a less damaging manner.

Please understand that not all complications can be fixed with more plastic surgery. My life has forever been changed. My photo's are now used at many training conferences- there is no help for me, I hide away and have no life. Its been 4 years since I had the implant and I have tried several methods to remove them and they have not changed one bit, and in fact I am more disfigured. Please research this.



Updated on Mar 29, 2009:

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

My Doctor: Name not provided

Not informed enough with product as well as technique.
Vote: 28 members found this review helpful

Comments (70)

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Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager - 4,028 posts) 25 Mar 2009
Hi kooie, Thanks for adding your review and I'm so sorry to hear about the negative experience you had. If you haven't already, please consider reading some of the Q&A on Sculptra lumps, as this may help you get rid of them. Sculptra Q&A What can I do about Sculptra lumps? You also mentioned that you think our Sculptra info is "misleading" - would you mind telling us what, specifically, is misleading? You're welcome to send me a message with your thoughts, or click the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page if you prefer. We've received 71 reviews of Sculptra so far, and currently 61% believe it is "worth it". I just wanted to make clear that this is not an endorsement from RealSelf, but rather an overall ranking from our community members. Thanks again for your review and I hope you're successful in finding a treatment to get rid of the Sculptra. Best, --Sharon
ms-lead (103 posts) 4 Apr 2009
I have a much more accurate name for these injections, not Sculptra, no, Lupus, oh they actually named a disease after Sculptra! I cannot believe for $$$ some surgeons or dermos, right, medical doctors, (that term does not apply to these people) would overlook the trial studies and see there are basically none. Sorry, the one that sticks out, over half of the trail study patients had NODULES. A word for something that does not describe the hell you have just entered. I am so sorry for all of those in the future who will have to go through what I do and so many other unsuspecting woman will be sales pitched into for profit. This is so sick. The people who hide behind the respected term of MD are legal criminals. Not for long. This is pure evil. No surgeon, no dermo, no other human being should think to harm another for profit is okay. This in time, will all come out. Watch those malpractice insurance carriers drop these type of surgeons or dermos in a hot second. I can't wait for that day and it is coming.
Keith (29 posts) 5 Apr 2009
Michelle P.- I have replied to you on my own post that I am not "angry" that someone has had a different experience than my own with this product and that I was trying very hard to understand what exactly is going on with Sculptra -particularly with women in the U.S. Just because you have had a bad experience with this product does not mean that it is completely "evil" and all medical professionals using it should be sued for "malpratice". Many, many, of us (especially HIV+) have gotten our faces and our lives back getting Sculptra injections and frankly your blanket statements about it being injectable "Lupus" is just plain crazy. I absolutely agree that using this product for "off label" use should be very carefully considered but when you trash a product to the point that you want to have it banned and sue all the doctors injecting it, you are jeopardizing MY access to Sculptra. Do not tell me post on some other site (like you have told me on my own post) that caters to HIV+ or just keep going to France to get it done. YOU are the one using MY product, not the other way around. I have had more Sculptra injected in my face than probably anyone on this entire site. Go after the doctor that messed you up. Go after Dermik for not doing their due diligence. But do a little research before you make such wild accusations.
San Diego1605 (2 posts) 28 Nov 2010
I notice since your posting, the percentage has gone DOWN 5% to a pretty low 56%. I just wonder why someone would spend thousands of dollars and go through the pain and brusing for a low 56% "endorsement rate". I mean, just step back and think about it!
I do not consider 56% very much of an endorsement.
Virginia1944 (1 post) 26 Dec 2010
Sharon, So the other 39-40% are disfigured? That's pretty high, don't you think? A well-known plastic surgeon in Richmond, VA wants to do this procedure on me. After reading reviewis of disfigurement I wouldn't touch this procedure with a ten foot pole. I my heart breaks for the people who will never recover from this.
2trusting (229 posts) 29 Mar 2011
Hey ms-lead,
As I puruse this wesite further,after I found it back in the winter when I found out the dr. that scarred and damaged me had left the company, I am even more thankful to keep finding more and more helpful information which I am sorry I did not find before I let them cut me and give me nerve damage that will take years to improve if ever. " THE PEOPLE WHO HIDE BEHIND THE RESPECTED TERM OF MD ARE LEGAL CRIMINALS." Well said my friend. The day is coming...the investigation going on is continuing to shine light into their smoke and mirrors operation. I'm so glad I read this posting. God bless you and from my heart to yours, they will face retribution in the Lake of Fire even after the Law takes care of them here before time is finished. I know I won't quit going against them even after I get my money back. Until the laws are changed to where this type of thing will not be allowed to go on in this country and when a Dr. loses his license in one state, they can move to another state and become licensed there. This has to stop. There are registeries for sex offenders that are easier to access than ones for horrible Drs. that move around reeking havoc behind closed doors. Oh yes the day is coming. They allow this kind of thing in third world countries, and here in this country they should be banished.

Take care,
2trusting
kooie (41 posts) 25 Mar 2009
Hi Sharon, Thanks for your support. I guess what I am finding here on Real Self that leaves a bad taste in my mouth are the ads you have posted on sculptra, its just strange to see a site that is suppose to "Keep It Real" and suppose to help people make an informed decision be supported with this type of paid advertising.This advertising is big and bold and catches the eye - it says "Real Self supports sculptra" Your not neutral at all. Also I have been in and out of this site for about a month, I have posted a couple of times to doctors who don't tell the whole story. I saw several posts that were negative towards sculptra and now all of a sudden there are all these strange posts about how absolutely wonderful sculptra is. Everyone is silly happy with the stuff. Which is fine but its an about face... These posts seem fake. Its your site you can do as you please, but please know its important to me that the information regarding sculptra is truthful. This is my mission in what little life I have left in me. If you saw my photo I am sure you can understand. Best Regards, Koo
HKKitty (54 posts) 25 Mar 2009
Hi Sharon, Since you are in California you might want to go to Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald in LA for a consultation. She is one of the top doctors using this product and works closely with a handful of doctors who have been using Sculptra since its inception. I believe that a lot has changed since you were treated. The problems that you suffered can now be overcome thanks to better knowledge gained from more extensive clinical experience. Hope things improve for you.
Sharon at RealSelf (Community Manager - 4,028 posts) 26 Mar 2009

Hi Koo,

Thanks a lot for clarifying your comments and for your willingness to discuss.

RealSelf doesn't accept any direct advertising from doctors or companies. We do display Google ads, but we don't choose the subject matter of these ads. Anyone who buys the term "Sculptra" (or similar) on Google will be displayed, so there is always the chance that an anti-Sculptra site would also appear. We display Google ads because RealSelf is free for all consumers and doctors to participate, so this offsets our costs.

On a personal note, I can assure you we do our best to keep spam off the site. We read and verify every review before it's published (what I'm doing right now, actually) and also monitor every comment for spam. I concede that there are occasionally suspect reviews, but I don't believe that all, or even most, of the positive reviews are spam. In fact, many are from members who have contributed other things to the site (photos, comments, questions, etc) over a period of months or even years.

We try our hardest to be facilitators of cosmetic treatment conversations rather than moderators. I am, however, sorry to hear some of the doctors' opinions have upset you. Within certain limits (spam, self-promotion, etc) we let doctors and consumers say what they want about their experiences. I think this helps to paint an overall picture of the "truth" - in Sculptra's case, 40% of people were unhappy and/or had lumps, but some people were also happy with it. For someone doing research, I think this quantifies the risk/reward in pretty real terms.

Thanks for letting me hijack your review space to explain ourselves a bit better. :) If you have any ideas for ways we could improve the site, please get in touch. Our inboxes are always open!

Many thanks,
--Sharon

kooie (41 posts) 26 Mar 2009
Hi Sharon, I appreciate your explaining how things work here. Your statement "in Sculptra's case, 40% of people were unhappy and/or had lumps, but some people were also happy with it. For someone doing research, I think this quantifies the risk/reward in pretty real terms." I would like to remind everyone that this 60% of happy sculptra 'victims'you mention haven't discovered they have a problem yet - This is not just my opinion, this is science. Sculptra is a synthetic agent, as long as the foreign agent is present, the body can continue to cause the reaction, that reaction are the lumps or granulomas you see. These reactions can occur up to ten years out. Synthetic agents should not be used because of this, as was said by Dr. Arnold W. Klein on this site " The granulomas are foreign substances that can and do cause foreign body reactions. Permanent agents can cause permanent problems! It is much better to use biologic agents such as collagen and hyaluronic acids such as Restylane and Juvederm.
kooie (41 posts) 25 Mar 2009
Thanks for your post HKKitty, I appreciate your tip on Dr. Fitzgerald. I will contact her, however I have to tell you that I have seen or contacted several of the very top doctors about my issue. I have contacted even the designer of this product in Europe. Many techniques have been tried and I have been even more disfigured. I shall post that photo for all to see what happens when you try to fix this. Its worse then the lumps. You are correct that things have changed since I was treated, but only in how the implant is injected and mixed- there are no new successful techniques on getting rid of the granulomas, especially if they are large and have been there for a while. Many many new victims of this product are coming to me everyday. I get at least 3 e-mails a day asking for advice, I see damage that is worse then mine. I will see about posting those photos after I get permission. These are recent sculptra victims- some from just 3 months ago. Many more victims will come forward as they realize they have a problem. Most people are working with the doctors that did this to them and being told, be patient the lumps will go away. So like me they will be patient, wait and wait, maybe go 2-3 years as their doctors will ask, then they realize "Oh crap, these aren't going away" they then realize they have permanent or very long lasting damage. The granulomas can rear their ugly little heads up to ten years later. I am not telling you all anything that can't be backed up by facts. I have been dealing with this for 4 years and believe me I have learned a thing or two. Don't go by my nightmare, just go to Google and type in sculptra lumps and see all what comes up, don't go to one site go to many, check out the journal articles. Please understand that anyone who has had this crap implanted can have a problem and it may not show up until later. Believe me its not worth the risks. The issue here is the mess can't be removed - this is not a trivial matter and are you all willing to risk that the granulomas could show up years down the road. By the way these lumps aren't soft, they are very hard, bone hard. They are heavy, mine are very heavy- You can all sing the praises of scultpra as much as you want but any honest doctor will tell you that what I am saying is true, there are risks that is the message I am trying to put out- nothing more. If a doc wants to say there are no risks with this product, I 'd run the other way. I am not saying there can't be successes - there are and this is talked about all the time, but I want to talk about the fact that it can go wrong, the damage can be permanent. Really a good doctor would steer you to juvederm or resty which are hyaluronic acids, sculptra is a polylactic acids. I am just saying there are risks please don't write and tell me how wonderful it is... ok ok I get that, but there can be a risk of granulomas that are difficult to get rid of. I have chased this thing for years, spent thousands, seen the best of the best docs, the good ones say leave them alone you'll look worse if they come out. A bad doc ....oh yeah he's all over this, " I can fix it, let me put some kenalog in it, let me bop a needle in and out", yep that can be done and its can cause worse damage. Look can we just warn there might be a risk... thats all I am asking.... Just be honest, use the same excitement you use to sing the praises of sculptra to sing the risks. While there are problems with the product there can be problems with the doctor who is injecting it. I 'd rather not blame the doctors though, I believe the product is just plain risky and difficult to work with - even in the most experienced hands and I also believe there are more inexperienced hands then there are experienced so it becomes doubly risky. You all can figure it out ...its not rocket science.
kooie (41 posts) 25 Mar 2009
One short message... Doctors please pay attention here... The FDA panel of doctors that approved the use of Sculptra in the USA are now saying they were lied to about the risks... (For those who don't know Dermik is the company who distributes Sculptra) I quote "The product never would have been granted approval under the standard complete pma application criteria. The key panel concerns were: brief period of patient follow-up, limited number of patients in clinical trials,narrow patient demographics, inconclusive analytic results regarding safety and efficacy; poor understanding of mechanism of action; no histology provided; inflammatory response and nodule formation in 52% of subjects." AND..... " We are dismayed by dermik's blatant disregard for patient safety and law and strongly encourage the fda to act immediately to protect the public by stopping this behavior." http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfMAUDE/Detail.CFM?MDRFOI__ID=979482
Keith (29 posts) 28 Mar 2009
Please note that I have always been treated in Paris with the European Brand (apparently identical) New-fill. Perhaps the lack of extensive training and follow-up by its US manufacturer of Scuptra(New-fill) is the cause of so many negative results. I would be a great case study- having used it since July of 2001. Any plastic surgeon or dermatologist out there who wants to see what sculptra looks like after 14 sessions over eight years with 2 vails each; doing around the eyes in 8 of them. Never a nodule never a bump. Why is my experience unique if it's not at least partially due to the level of expertise? I am just asking.
kooie (41 posts) 25 Mar 2009
Keith you asked: "Why is my experience unique if it's not at least partially due to the level of expertise? I am just asking." Here is why .... It is successful for treating hollow cheeks, for filling big depressions and for the non-surgical face lift, but it is poor for the treatment of fine lines and wrinkles. Filling large depressions and for facial contouring this is arguably the best of the lot. Those of us in here whining and complaining had the injections pushed on us for wrinkles. This material does not act as a dermal filler, which would be injected superficially to smooth wrinkles, but needs to be placed deeply below the muscles to be a safer and more effective agent. This why you are happy and we are not.
HKKitty (54 posts) 27 Mar 2009
Yes, Kookie, you are correct about the appropriate use of Sculptra. And a highly experienced doctor should advise the patient of that. I believe that in the past it was used as a fill in the eye area to plump out hollows around the eyes. The problem there is that the skin under the eyes is very thin and even if injected deeply, the product is still close to the surface of the skin. I'm not sure why people are developing granules as Sculptra is supposed to dissolve after being injected. The filling out of the face comes from its alleged ability to stimulate the body to produce more of its own collegen. From what I understand from the doctor who treated me, Sculptra is consider inappropriate for the eye area. And from reading the posts on RealSelf, it appears that the people who experienced granules or nodules primarily had Sculptra injected in the eye area, whereas those who were either satisfied or at least didn't develop granules seemed to have the product injected in more fleshy areas of the face. The doctor I went to only injected my temples and cheeks. She said I need to fill out one side of my lips (only one side as that side was small than the other) and specifically said she'd use Restylane for that -that Sculptra was not good in that area of the face. Her strategy for me is to fill out the temples and cheek area - not under the eyes. She said Juvederm and Restylane are usually used there, however she recommended using nothing there and just by filling out the rest of the face, the eye area would look better. I'd like to note that I had Juvederm injected under my eyes last year and the results were horrific. Had two lumps under my eyes for about 8 months. Any I went to a top plastic surgeon. In reality, every procedure works better or worse on different people. The key is to find a doctor who specializes in a specific product as they are likely to have the kind of clinical experience that gives them first hand information about what will likely be successful.
jimaima (6 posts) 25 Mar 2009
Kooie, thank you so much for sharing your experience at your cost... I really hope your skin condition gets better.... I was considering to get Sculptra from a famous doc for doing that, but I do not think I will get it for what I leaned from your experience. I do understand some people may have had a big success, but I just can not take such a big risk which may appear long time after and lasts for years or longer. I decided to get temporary filler.
kooie (41 posts) 26 Mar 2009
jimaima, you are why I am here. I am so happy your going with not only a safer filler but one that is designed to address your issues. Thank you for posting- kooie
Keith (29 posts) 25 Mar 2009
Koole, That last post of yours really clarified a point well taken. Thank you. I am wondering if the number of HIV+ med-related lipoatrophic faces out there are having anywhere NEAR the problems we hear about now. It appears to me as being promoted to women like a wrinkle-filler/sunken eye-plumper.
Butter (unregistered guest) 26 Mar 2009
You could be 100% correct about cosmetic uses, but remember it is only FDA approved for HIV/AIDS patients. Some of the reviews on here are for HIV/AIDS. I would hate to see them lose a treatment option b/c of off label abuse. Docs should explain this, though.
kooie (41 posts) 26 Mar 2009
Hi Butter, I absolutely agree, I would hate to see HIV patients loose out on this and I would never compromise that. I know that this will never be pulled off the market for use in HIV cases. I am only trying to do what the company won't and that is to keep its use for medical purposes, (have insurance pick up the bill) keep it from being used as solution to wrinkles, and hollow periorbital areas. Its a money maker though when used for cosmetic purposes ... greed makes people stupid. This implant is for facial wasting. I have said before its not rocket science but it is science. You'd have to be brain dead to not get this... If not brain dead then just plain greedy....
time (2 posts) 31 Jan 2010
kooie you may want to consider all the parties involved in your complaint. the doctor, the company, the product and you. it's very important to do your reseach before any cosmetic procedure. someone once said the scissors did not make a bad haircut meaning -- did your physician, even if he was a 'big name' have adequate training? or did he just want to 'book' your procedure? cosmetic docs are looking to make money -- it's a business. some are ethical and some are not. sounds like from your posting he may not have known what he was doing. any doc can order these injectable products from international pharmacies without the proper injectable training. i know a lot of hiv+ people who look great from this product and now actually leave their homes where before they would not. i also know a lot of people since it received cosmetic approval who look absolutely fabulous. it's based on the injector is the bottom line -- so for anyone interested do your research.
Butter (unregistered guest) 27 Mar 2009
So many ppl's reaction is (understandably) irrational when they've had a bad exper. You're very rational despite your experience. I appreciate that. Much respect to you.
Keith (29 posts) 27 Mar 2009
HKKitty, It really sounds like Dr. Rebecca Fitzgerald knows what she is doing. I had it used around my eyes but I also had a lot of fat loss there. One hour injections by a really conservative, cautious, crazy-picky facial surgeon. By hearing Dr. Fitzgerald's conservative approach described in your post, you are probably in good hands. My advice is do not rush back every 30 days for more. My doc always waited 10 weeks even in the beginning when I looked haggard and drawn. He taught me to be patientand realistic.
HKKitty (54 posts) 28 Mar 2009
Hi Keith, Thanks for your feedback. Believe me, the fat loss that most people who are not HIV, myself included, is not serious. We live in an age the prizes youth and beauty above all else. We want instant results too. Doctors, pharmaceutical companies and patients are all in this together. Whether for profit or for pride. I am guilty of the same as well. I've noted to one doctor who's done a few procedures on me that while I want implrovement I don't want to get to the point where my entire focus on never ending self improvement. Also, that there are many people out there with serious medical problems (not a slightly ageing face) and that I often think that I should be donating the money to helping some of them pay for critical surgery. That said, we have to deal with the world we live in... So while if Sculptra can safely help restore some lost volume to my face, that would be great. However, I always re-evaluating every procedure as new research is revealed. It's hard to tell from RealSelf what percent of the people treated with Sculptra worldwide have experienced seriously bad side effects. And of those who did, what were the details of each case. Did all the "poor results" have similar factors (the site of the injections, the year Sculptra was injected, massaging after treatment vs. no massage, etc). You need this kind of information to make a proper evaluation of the product. Every product has potential negative side effects in some patients. Even tried and true pharmaceauticals like asprin. Just look at the stuff sheet that comes with any medicine. It lists every known side effect. However, many are side effects that have occured in one out of a million patients, hence the drug is safe for most people. I would imagine - as I am not an expert on Sculptra - that when injected into the fleshy parts of the face, granules would not be visible because if they occurred, they'd be hidden by the thickness of the skin. Under the eyes is a bit dicier. If you look at the posts for Juvederm, most people who had it injected under their eyes, myself included, were not satified with the results. I will follow your advice and wait 10 weeks. I agree...patients is essential. I will also ask about New-Fill versus Sculptra. Please keep me posted as to any other thoughts you have on the subject. I am interested in following this with people who help bring some clarity about Sculptra to the public.
jimaima (6 posts) 27 Mar 2009
Hi Kooie and the other participants to this conversation..... Do you think Sculptra works specially great for HIV+ people since their immune system is compromised? This is why they may have less negative reaction to Sculptra (foreign body)? I am just curious...

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