I had bellafill injected twice, and I think it was overfilled. Advice? (photos)

Our treatments use combination therapy to improve complications associated with Bellafill, a filler with permanent attributes that can cause granulomas, uneven contour, and soft tissue reaction. Our office focuses on granuloma reversal in cases where an incision may leave permanent scars. The reversal is performed with Kenalog IIT combination therapy, fibrous release, and HIDEF fractional RF to help break up the nodularity. Schedule a consultation for surgical removal if the Bellafill is located in the eyelids, lips, and lower face. Midface Bellafill is difficult to surgically remove.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question. I would suggest following up with your injector. In our practice, we usually start off with a very conservative amount of filler in order to avoid overfilling. It is possible you received too much product. 

I do see that the NLF is much deeper on the left side versus the right. I'm wondering if this was something you had before. Often our faces are not the same side to side and we only notice this after fillers are injected because we are looking more closely at our faces. I would bring this to your injectors attention. My experience tells me that the result seen in the first weeks is more than the final results seen 4-6 months after injection. It is probably best to wait to see what result you have, prior to being concerned or adding more filler. At present, there is bovine collagen that needs to be degraded and your own collagen hasn't yet kicked in.

Hello! Since you are only 10 days out of Bellafill it is hard to say by your pictures if it’s swelling still.  I would recommend you schedule an appointment with your injector for a follow up! Best of luck! 

Ten days is too early to make a decision on what to do. I agree with other contributors that the asymmetry could be due to asymmetrical trauma from the injection or technique. I typically use a cannula in order to minimize trauma to the area being injected thus reducing the above possibility . I suggest re-evaluation in 4-6 weeks in order to allow time for deep swelling and bruising to subside. At that point you can better assess any real asymmetry if it still exists.

You're only ten days out.  I know it's worrisome, but the difference could be do to asymmetric swelling due to the trauma of the injection not the filler.  Follow-up with your injector. 

Unfortunately as with any filler you can inject too much.  The nice thing is that it will go down.  Give it a month or so and the reassess your face.  If one cheek seems to be a lot  bigger well consider adding a little to the other cheek.  The main thing for now is just to give it time for it to settle down and give you that natural look that most patients get.  The only time I have encountered anyone with this problem was when they just had it done and were still a little swollen after the procedure.  Be patient for now.

If your injection was only 10 days ago any asymmetry will almost always dissipate in time.  Usually this difference is due to injection injury and not the Bellafill.  I have added a video that may help you.Best regards.