Bellafill injected 1 week ago. Lumpy feeling under skin, and puffed up lines where needle was threaded. Is this normal? (photo)

It can take several months for final results with Bellafill and you can have initial swelling, which will last 1-2 weeks. I like a combination approach for nasolabial folds. I like filler for the folds themselves and to provide anatomical support with Sculptra for further collagen building. Ultherapy and rf treatments can be used for skin tightening. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

Filler migration and granuloma formation can cause longterm problems with Bellafill and Artefill fillers. This is similar in patients who have Artecoll and PMMA fillers. Longterm filler complications include migration, edema, chronic swelling, and nodularity. If patients have filler migration or nodules, we recommend a combination approach of filler reversal with enzymes, corticosteroids, and scar tissue modulators. Our HIDEF approach can break down filler scarring and granulomas so that they are less apparent. If the filler material itself does not dissolve, it either means the filler is likely not HA material or is unresponsive to conservative therapy. This technique may be followed by surgical removal of the filler if there is a suitable target for removal and the chance of scarring is low.

Surgical removal of Bellafill is possible and we have a wide ranging experience with the treatment. Some areas of the face can be treated because the Bellafill removal scars are barely visible. We have found that Bellafill nodules, if palpated, can be removed from the tissue. Undereye Bellafill, nasolabial fold Bellafill, and lip filler can be treated successfully. Diffuse Bellafill is difficult to treat.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for your question. Redness is a side effect of Bellafill and it will subside over time. Please review your post op care instructions with your board certified facial plastic surgeon. It is important that you follow your recovery instructions as closely as possible.
Best wishes,

Redness will probably subside. However, I'm a bit concerned about the appearance of skin. It appears to me that the injections were too superficial. In general, what you see at 1-2 weeks mimics the final results. I would massage the area vigorously to see if this filler can be spread out more smoothly. Ask your physician about this and seek another opinion as well.

At just a week form your injection it is almost impossible to say what your result will be.  Bellafill syringes have just 0.8 cc or ml of filler in each syringe so you only got 0.4 cc on each side.  That is very little and if you are still red it is very likely that you still are swollen as well.  In fact I would expect swelling at this stage.  Be patient and give us a followup in about 3 weeks.I hope that helps.Best regards.