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Sculptra Nodules Got Bigger After Massage

I would like to know what to do about the nodules that appeared 2 weeks after my second Sculptra treatment. I was told to do vigorous massage, and it got bigger. I was then given some cortisone and told it may help. Then I was simply told it's just part of Sculptra. Is there anything I can do that will not disfigure me any further? My last treatment was on June 5th of 2009. Nodules were seen on June 22, 2009.

Doctor Answers 3

Leave it alone for a couple of months.

June 26th, 2009
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Hi.

You could make things worse. Leave it completely alone for 2 months and see what happens. Of course, the lump will eventually fade, but it can take many months. In extreme situations, the lump can be removed through a small incision.

This doesn't help you, except in the future, but we don't use Sculptra, because it takes repeated treatments, and I have seen lumps. Ther are better fillers.

George J. Beraka, MD (retired)


Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 9 reviews

Don't do anything right now

June 27th, 2009
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Two weeks is a very short time following Sculptra injections. The last thing you should do at this point is an intervention. Leave everything alone for several months and let things settle. Gentle massage may help but I would avoid vigorous massage. If several discrete lumps are still present after several months, they can be excised through small incisions, but this is only a last resort. The most important thing you can do is to make regular visits to your doctor. Good luck!

Elan B. Singer, MD

Elan B. Singer, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
4.8 out of 5 stars 23 reviews

Sculptra Nodules

June 26th, 2009
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Yes, here is what your physician can do.

Take a 30 gauge needle with saline in it and put the needle into the nodule and then go back and forth as if trying to break it up. Once it feels like it is breaking up, then push the saline in. Now massage it real, real hard to blend the small broken particles of the nodule into the surrounding tissue. After that continue massage at home. You can also go to an aesthetician or a massage therapist and get deep massage of the face to facilitate the process.

After one week if there is still nodules left behind, then have the physician repeat the procedure.

Regards

Tanveer Janjua, MD

Tanveer Janjua, MD
Bedminster Facial Plastic Surgeon
5.0 out of 5 stars 75 reviews

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.