Normally I get 28 IU of Botox a different doctor said I needed Dysport 180 units. How do I know I got what I paid for? (Photo)

You can’t really never know if you got what you paid for. For every 1 unit the equivalent amount of Dysport is approximately 3 units so if the doctor ordered 180 of Dysport you will be getting an equivalent dose of 60 botox. I’m not sure what area you are being injected but if you have done well with 28 units then 60 might be too much. If you did your whole forehead, the glabellar complex and crow’s feet you would not need more than 50 units in total. Of course it could be more but on average it would be less than or equal to 50 units.

Hello amandarogers16,
It’s normal for you to have bruises and swelling under the eyes since final results would take about 14 days to show. The conversion rate between Dysport and BOTOX is 2.5:1. Therefore, if your doctor recommended to apply 180 Dysport units that amount would translate into 72 BOTOX units. It seems like an excessive amount but I would need to know exactly which areas where treated to determine it. In the future, you should consider that Dysport may not last quite as BOTOX. Good luck! Dr. De La Cruz. 

I think you can never truly know that you got what you paid for.  But you should be able to tell if you like the results.Regarding the disparity in the number of units, I can imagine a scenario where this story makes sense, and several scenarios where it does not make sense.  If the new doctor was suggesting new areas, then you would need additional units.  I commonly inject > 70 units if I am doing the entire upper face (forehead, glabella, crow's feet) and an area in the lower face (eg DAO's, masseters, platysma).  If you were wanting the same areas and you were happy with your previous result, it would make more sense to stick with your original injector.

Based on your description, you had about 60 units of Botox. It will take 1-2 weeks for final results with Dysport. If you're unhappy with your final results, venus legacy can soften results. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Thank you for your question.  If your injector indicated that he/she placed 180 units of Dysport, the equivalent would be approximately 60 units of Botox.  Some bruising and swelling is quite normal following injection and will resolve in 1-2 days.  Best to wait a full week before considering the final result of your procedure.  Good luck.

In the end, you have to take the doctor's word on how many units you received. Figure out how much you are willing to spend on an area and then go to the injector who gives you the best results. The dosage will also determine the longevity. If you are injected with a more concentrated solution, more units will be used and it will cost more but it will last longer. 

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph. 72units of Botox for the face in a 36 year old is quite excessive and does not sound like an appropriate dosing.  Perhaps he was thinking 72 units of Dysport? This would be equivalent to the 28units of botox you have received previously.  I would have a discussion with your injector again as there is likely some confusion taking place.  Dysport units should be roughly 2.5-3 times as high as Botox for equivalent results.  

The short answer to your question is: there is no way of finding out you actually got with regards to Botox or Dysport what you paid for. In my practice, we actually do not charge by the units administered but rather by the area treated for that very reason. The units injected don't matter and are not the focus of conversation. What matters is the outcome and patient satisfaction. We administer as much Botox or Dysport as is needed and safe to do. The patient pays per treatment area and not per unit injected and I had great success and patient satisfaction with that approach (this includes free touch-ups if needed). With all that said, 72 units of Botox sounds quite high but it depends on which areas were treated. For migraines as an example, 72 units is actually low (FDA approval is 156 units for chronic migraines). For cosmetic purposes in the face, though, 72 units is on the high side. Hope that helps.

The units you are describing, 72 units of Botox and 180 units of Dysport, are very high doses.   Excessive in my opinion quite frankly. Regarding the integrity of your injector, I cannot help you with that. My advice would be to seek a consultation elsewhere if you are at all uncomfortable with where you had your injections. Best wishes.

Conversion from Botox to Dysport is 2.5 to 3 times in terms of units. It is not clear which area was treated? Frown lines? forehead? crows feet? all?
From the picture I see some tear trough shadow which is better addressed with a filler.