Removal of undissolved HA lip filler 10 years later - Can a second surgery remove the migrated filler? (Photos)

May 15, 2025
Asked By:Reliable877136 in Winters, Texas

Help please! started with small amounts of filler, unsure of how it would look, but kept returning for "a little more." The last time, I was happy with the results and requested more than usual —but that same day I took no precautions (drank, partied, spent the day in the sun at a festival, kissed). I know it was a bad idea, but I hadn’t experienced swelling before, so I got overconfident. The next day, my lips were EXTREMELY swollen. I had to wait for it to subside before my doctor could dissolve some of the filler. After partial dissolution, I was happy with the results (1st photo) and chose to let the rest dissolve naturally. Note: There is a small reddish area under the bottom lip (visible under makeup), caused by old damage that left a circle of broken capillaries. Fast forward five years—the filler was still present and migrated. The previously damaged area with broken capillaries had detached and felt like loose skin (2nd photo). Note: I also caused further damage by picking at my lips daily, leading to bleeding and possibly chronic inflammation. After multiple consultations and trying to dissolve (minor improvement), I underwent surgery with an internal incision from corner to corner of the bottom lip to remove the filler. However, filler outside the lip was left behind (3rd photo). Can a second surgery remove the migrated filler? What can help the circle of loose skin? If theres scar tissue, will steroid injection help?

3 photos

Answers (1)

From board-certified doctors and trusted medical professionals
MOST RECENT
May 17, 2025

Answer: Management of Long-Term Complications from Hyaluronic Acid Lip Filler: Surgical and Non-Surgical Approaches

Anna Chacon, MD, FAADBoard Certified Dermatologist
MOST RECENT
May 17, 2025

Answer: Management of Long-Term Complications from Hyaluronic Acid Lip Filler: Surgical and Non-Surgical Approaches

Anna Chacon, MD, FAADBoard Certified Dermatologist

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