Can lip filler damage lymphatic drainage system years later?

Question

I got Juvederm 5 years ago. My lips went gradually back to original size but the area between my nose and upper lip is puffy. I assumed it was from lip filler migration. My plastic surgeon said the trauma from the injection damaged the lymphatic drainage irreversibly which caused lymph fluid buildup. Can this be the case or is it likely residual filler blocking the lymph drainage? Does it make sense to try dissolving 5 years later? Why are my lips small but the non injected area puffy?

Mats Hagstrom, MD (license on probation) · Answer

I think your doctor is trying to give you some type of explanation for something that may not have an easy answer.

Lymphatic drainage in the face is pretty diffuse and lymphedema has not been associated with the use of HA fillers.

I also don’t believe that fillers migrate. I’ve never personally seen fillers migrate and I’ve been using HA fillers since they were first FDA approved in the 1990s.

I have definitely seen patients have long-term volume changes from previous injections that cannot be explained.  whether it’s scar tissue or related to lymphatics in the end probably doesn’t make much difference. Trying to dissolve fillers at this point it is unlikely to make a difference.

Best,

Mats Hagstrom MD

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