Restylane Injections Only Lasted Three Days?

Question

So my sister and I both had Restylene injections for our lips the same day and same person. (A nurse/aesthetician who is the surgeons wife)It looked great but after three days it had completely absorbed. I had a consultation years later with her and her husband who is a plastic surgeon and he suggested a fat transfer but I've heard mixed things. Is there a reason why it lasted three days? My sister tried Juvederm as well and same thing, more money! Are there any other options?

Sam Naficy, MD, FACS · Answer

Injected properly, Restylane in the lips won't disappear in 3 days. As others have mentioned, you likely had a fair amount of swelling and had less product injected than you thought. Always be clear about your expectations and discuss them at length with your provider. Knowing and understanding what look you're trying to achieve is vital to a satisfying result. The more educated and informed you are, the better off you'll be!

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

In general, both Restylane and Juvederm work well to fill the lips. Juvederm is a little softer than the Restylane, and may be a better option for some patients. 
	These fillers generally last for about 9 months, but actual results vary from patient to patient.  It is not possible for the filler to last only 3 days.  What you may have seen initially was some minor swelling, and less of the product was injected than you thought.  It is possible the nurse took a very conservative approach.  I would give it a little bit of time and see how your lips look after a few weeks.  At this point, you may elect to use more filler in the area.  Overall, a filler is the best option for a lip augmentation and will give the most natural result. Thanks and good luck!

Steven Hacker, MD · Answer

Three days is abnormally short. Restylane should lasts six months on average, if it is not lasting long there may be an issue with injection too deep.

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS · Answer

The most likely explanation is that an insufficient quantity of restylane and juvederm was utilized. Consult with 3 - 4 experienced and expert injectors. Fat transfer is unpredictable and problematic so that is unlikely to be the answer.

Michael M. Kim, MD · Answer

You didn't indicate the volumes that were injected, but my guess is that very little product was inserted. When lip injections are done, the patients' lips at the end of the procedure and that following evening can be ridiculously swollen and large. The edema then decreases within about 2 days.

	If your lips looked the appropriate volume during this period, it's likely you didn't get enough product injected. Just a thought.

	 

	mike kim, md

Restylane Injections Only Lasted Three Days?

Answers (10)