What is my best course of action for fixing a botched Bellafill injection? (photo)

It is hard to say without a consultation. It would be best for you to be seen by a doctor to fully understand what you are describing as botched. Bellafill is a thicker filler which lasts a long time. It's not a hyaluronic acid like Juvederm which can potentially be reversed. A consultation is recommended.

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

Keep in mind, it can take several months for final results with Bellafill. If you're unhappy with your final results, 5fu/steroid injections and venus legacy/viva treatments can help soften results. See an expert for a formal evaluation. Best, Dr. Emer

Absolutely return to your doctor who can view your before and after photos and offer you advice.  If correction is needed there are remedies to consider.  The collagen portion will be reabsorbed and the final result of this injection is yet to be seen for at least 3 or 4 months.

Hello! First of all, we have no before pictures to compare to.  Overall, the final results of Bellafill take at least 4-6 months. Cannulas are the best way to inject around the eye.  I would contact the provider and if they feel that the filler was misplaces, then they may try h steroids, 5FU, and collagenase.  Worst case scenario is surgical excision with Blepharoplasty. Overall, you need to visit an expert for an assessment. Best of Luck 

It is hard to tell what has happened without before pictures. The final results of Bellafill take at least 4-6 months. It appears to me that there is a need for more filler. However, I would use an HA filler like Restylane. Cannulas are absolutely the way to inject around the eye. If the problem is poorly placed filler, you can try to mitigate the issue with steroids, 5FU, and collagenase. However, see another physician and get an opinion about more filler. Surgical excision with Blepharoplasty might also be a consideration.

Bellafill is a long lasting, biostimulating filler, and it can be injected almost all over the face for volume restoration.  But I would not recommend Bellafill as the first line of filler for tear troughs and for lip enhancement.  Botched under eye can be treated with Steroid, 5FU (Fluorouracil) and radiofrequency treatment using Venus Viva/Freeze to soften it.

I am sorry that you are having concerns about your Bellafill injection.  Without before photos, it is hard to say exactly what is going on but there may be a few things.   The first is that the injury to the area has not completely settled.  If the area is soft and compressible, it is very likely this will go away.  Another possibility is that you may be prone to swelling in your lower eyelids from things like allergies and if that is that case, the Bellafill injection made that worse it may take a couple of more months, but swelling from that problem will settle as well. 

If what you can feel is firm, then this may be scar tissue forming form the Bellafill.  Again, this should settle as the 5 year studies with Bellafill showed that firm lumps almost always settle in time.  Please remember that a half syringe of Bellafill is only 0.4 cc or between 8 and 10 drops so the amount you had injected is very small and by itself should not make too much difference.  If it looked good right after that is almost always how a Bellafill injection will end up looking like at 3 to 6 months. 

At a month, my first recommendation would be to be patient. 

In evaluating your photos. it appears that you need more Bellafill but again, without photos from before your injection, it is impossible to tell for sure.

I would recommend getting back to your provider to get their opinion.

I hope that helps.

Best regards.