scarredforlife

I'll defer to InjectorNurse's opinion as to what helps the most. She has healed much better than I have. As far as the wound healing, it took about 2 months for me. One thing I didn't do (that I wish I had) is cover the wound with Aquaphor or another ointment. Ask your doctor about this. I didn't do it, and almost half my face completely scabbed over - so much so that my face was immobile. I'm now left with severe scarring.

If you have any areas of black skin, then that is bad news. It means those areas progressed to full necrosis and will scar. I'm sorry to scare you!

I went to a plastic surgeon and he performed CO2 laser (Active FX) and fat transfer. Neither of these procedures were effective, and actually made it worse. Then no doctor would touch me for a year, saying I needed to give it time. I'm just now resuming reconstruction, which will include removal of the transferred fat, VBeam laser (for the redness), Juvederm filler (for the facial atrophy), Fraxel re:store and/or dermabrasion (for resurfacing), and excision of some elevated white scarring.

Here is another resource for you. Look for the treatment under the "impending necrosis" section. You may want to bring this article to your doctor appointment today. Again, if your doctor hasn't heard of this complication or tries to dismiss this as an infection, then seek a second opinion immediately!
http://www.skininc.com/treatments/medicalesthetics/101981538.html?page=1

It is good that you are seeing a plastic surgeon today. However, he/she may not be familiar with this complication. Most likely, the Radiesse was injected into a vein causing vascular occlusion and subsequent impending necrosis. Do NOT let him/her tell you it is an infection. That's what happened to me, and it took 3 weeks and a trip out of state to find out what was really wrong. Some doctors recommend taking 325 mg aspirin daily and using warm compress while you're at home. Once in the doctor's office, he/she may massage the area with 2% nitroglycerin paste. Some doctors inject hyaluronidase, although in theory this wouldn't be effective because Radiesse can't be dissolved like Juvederm or Restylane. If the condition progresses, then other treatments include Medrol Dose pack and hyperbaric oxygen.

Julie, I would love to talk to you. I had the exact same thing happen to me in September, 2010. My wedding was in October, and I had to get married with a bandage on my face! My skin is still red and (I'm afraid) scarred forever. I'm undergoing treatments, including laser and fat transfer. My husband and I were shocked at how similar your photos are to mine.

I hope we can help each other. Please reply if you would like my contact info.