Hard lumps from Bellafill. Searching a 2nd opinion before cutting to remove the lumps. I need to find a Bellafill qualified dr.

Bellafill is a collagen stimulating filler that has been highly popular because of its longevity.  Over production of collagen can occur but it is extremely rare though that probably doesn't help you in your case.  I have a high volume Bellafill practice but haven't seen the nodules.  Dr Castellano has done more than me and loves Bellafill.  Steroid injections work well to treat the lesions but can take a few months to resolve.  Typically, these nodules can be felt but aren't seen.  If that's the case, give them some time and they will dissipate themselves. 

Complications from Bellafill and Artefill are quite common and our office specializes in the removal of these fillers, if possible. Best, Dr. KaramanoukianLos Angeles

Bellafill, in it's previous life was known as Artefill and in Europe/ Canada for years as Artecoll.  The permanent component of Bellafill is polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) which the body cannot absorb, nor can it be dissolved.  This is one of the major concerns that some of us have about this product.  The face ages, but the PMMA does not and can cause issues years down the road. These "lumps" may be related to a sensitivity to bovine collagen or to the PMMA. If you continue to have these areas of inflammation, your Doctor is correct that surgical removal may be indicated. 

Bellafill is roughly 80% collagen which disappears quickly and 20% PMMA. The PMMA cannot be dissolved and if a problem has only two options. One is to surgically remove it. the other is to camouflage by injecting a hyaluroric acid based filler (Resylane or Juvederm brand) or fat grafting over it.. See a doctor who does a lot of filler injections.

Bellafill is a remarkable, long-lasting filler with an extremely low complication rate. In the rare event of a complication, it is best to follow the advice of your injecting physician.  Dr Castellano is one of the most, if not the most, experienced Bellfill injectors in the United States.  Also, the skin test is simply the bovine collagen part of Bellafill and it is meant to test the patient for allergy to the bovine collagen.  That part of the product is eliminated in 6-12 weeks.  Therefore, the bovine collagen part is completely gone by 5 months.  The test would not have predicted or prevented your complication/"lumps".