Sculptra. Am I going to have fat cheeks as a final result?? 1 day post op

Question

I just got Sculptra yesterday. I’ve been crying most of the night because it just looks like someone punched me in the face. My right cheek is noticeably bigger at certain angles. I didn’t want to make my face fatter, I just wanted to make it look smoother with less prominent nasolabial folds and more volume to my cheek bone area. Will it go back down to its original shape or am I going to look like a hamster for the next 18-24 months??

Kimberly Butterwick, MD · Answer

Sculptra is a wonderful product that can restore lost volume to the face and fill in contour defects, including nasolabial folds. Sculptra is a watery solution that contains microparticles of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). When it is first injected into the skin, the solution and the PLLA fill in the defects and lost volume. The liquid causes some swelling — which is undoubtedly what you are seeing now. The water will be absorbed in the next few days, reducing the volume greatly. 
At the next stage, some of the PLLA molecules will be resorbed by your body and you may think that you are going back to baseline (your look before treatment). This is not the case. As the PLLA molecules are resorbed, they are replaced by new, long, strong strands of collagen that firm up and support your skin, thus filling in the defects and lost volume again — this time more permanently (up to 2 years or more). The new collagen also allows increased production of elastin, which improves skin flexibility. Let this entire process play out before judging your results. Usually 2 or 3 treatments one month apart and results are gradual. If you only had one vial, I sincerely believe you will not look over-treated. If you are not thrilled with how you look in the next month or so, please contact the board-certified dermatologist who treated you. I suspect, though, that you will be very happy and will not have to make that call!

Jack G. Bertolino, MD · Answer

What your seeing is post injection swelling. Scul;ptra takes time and is not abrupt. Massage the treated area several times a day. You look will come on slowly. It also matters on how many vials where used on you. Make sure to follow up with your injector/provider. Hope this is helpful. JB

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs!  Most likely your current results are the result of the carrier fluid used to introduce Sculptra into your face.  This fluid is quickly absorbed by your body over the first 24-48 hours to largely restore your pre-treatment appearance.  Sculptra provides gradual improvement over the first 6-8 weeks in younger patients and up to 6 months in older ones.  Hope this helps.

Richard Zienowicz, MD · Answer

Your swelling should go away quickly.  Sculptra takes a few months to work. This should only be a temporary side effect of the injections.  Your injecting physician should be able to comfort you with the same advice.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

This is due to swelling. Swelling will take 1-2 weeks to resolve.  You can get RF treatments like venus legacy or thermi 250 to give improvement. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer.

Richard E. Moore, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and posting your pictures. What you are seeing is totally expected. Sculptra is comprised of tiny particles of poly-l-lactic suspended in 10 ml of sterile water/lidocaine. What you are seeing at this time is the 10 ml of solution not the results of Sculptra. Over the next 2-3 days that swelling should resolve and over the coming weeks and months you will form new collagen. It will not be anywhere near the volume of solution that was injected. Be sure to massage the areas that were injected 5 times per day for 5 minutes for the next 5 days.I hope this was helpful - Dr. Moore.

Justin Harper, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Hi tkfillingim,Please don't cry over this "hamster-like" enlargement - yet. Sculptra induces collagen growth over time. It's effect is not instant like hyaluronic fillers. This swelling can be due to two things - the liquid used to reconstitute Sculptra and your body's reaction.Please observe these instructions and any other that your doctor prescribes:Do massage the treated areas 5 times a day for about 5 minutes for 5 days after treatment.Following your procedure, you may experience soreness and swelling in the jaw and in the treated area which may last for several days. You may hold ice packs on the treated areas gently for several seconds at a time to minimize discomfort.Feel free to wear makeup a few hours after treatment.Treated areas may be red, swollen, and bruised for the first 2-14 days.Avoid strenuous workouts and alcohol for 24 hours if possible.A few days after treatment, the injected volume will absorb and you will look as you did before treatment. This is normal. Your body will gradually build collagen in the treatment areas and full results may be seen in about 3 months.You'll have to be patient for three weeks or so.All the best,Justin Harper M.D.

Ana Carolina Victoria, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions.  The swelling that occurs after sculptra injections is definitely transient and usually gies away by the first few days.  The end result is seen gradually 2-3 months after injection.  Hold tight and ride out the swelling, it will should get better.

Sculptra. Am I going to have fat cheeks as a final result?? 1 day post op

Answers (8)

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