Botched Tear Trough Filler

UPDATE – 18 months later

I felt it was important to come back and update my review because prospective patients deserve to know that the results of tear trough filler don’t always end when the swelling goes down.

Eighteen months later, I am still living with the consequences of this procedure. My under-eye has never returned to its pre-treatment appearance, and I have now developed a noticeable bulge under my left eye. I have included updated photos so people can see the progression for themselves.

The most disappointing part has not been the cosmetic outcome—it has been the complete lack of follow-up care. After being a loyal patient, I felt abandoned when I returned asking for help. Instead of having my concerns addressed, I was left to search for someone willing to evaluate and treat a very delicate area that most providers understandably hesitate to touch after another injector has treated it.

I am now paying out of pocket for an oculoplastic surgeon consultation, and I expect this to be only the beginning of what will likely be a long and expensive process to determine whether my under-eye can even be corrected.

If you are considering tear trough filler, don’t just ask about the procedure. Ask what happens if you need help a year or two later. Ask whether your provider will still be there for you if the outcome isn’t what you hoped. I wish I had.

I have been a loyal customer to Dr. Capaldi for many years. I have successfully had tear trough injections by him flawlessly in the past however, this time was drastically different. I originally had the injection 10/31. I walked around, noticeably asymmetrical for four weeks, waiting for it to settle. Unfortunately, it didn’t and I had a second appointment on 12/2 and he over filled the right area so much so that my right eye closed shut when I smiled . I Waited another two weeks and had to return for a third visit on 12/19. He suggested to dissolve the area. I have never had a filler dissolved before and clearly expressed my concern. The doctor never discussed any side effects or repercussions of dissolving a filler nor did I sign or see any consent form for either procedure. I was under the impression he would dissolve a tiny area to make my eyes even again, but instead, he over dissolved both of the area under my eyes. I am left with an atrophied, recessed, and sunken appearance, aging me by at least 15 years! Had the possible side effects been discussed or the dissolution of filler been done correctly I would not be in the predicament. It should have been clearly explained that he planned to dissolve the filler in its entirety as well as any reserve that existed prior to the initial injection. Given proper knowledge, I would’ve chosen to leave my eye area alone. Looking full and uneven is considerably better than my present position. My under eye area is tremendously more recessed than prior to my initial injection on 10/31. I emailed the doctor and gave him a chance to correct the situation. He refused and suggested “therapeutically I seek another provider!” I was also NOT told until AFTER the procedure that I am not able to treat this area for a while,( 2-3 months) and I’m having a hard time finding a doctor that will correct this delicate area not to mention that is going to be twice as expensive since he over dissolved both eyes. Subsequently, I am forced to walk around for a total of 5 months noticeably uneven initially then atrophied, wrinkled, self-conscious, and thoroughly unhappy with my appearance as a result of the botched procedure! Lastly, the price was never discussed prior to the procedure. I believe an estimate should be provided prior to any procedure. Patients aren’t aware how many syringes is needed to fill in an area, and that should be discussed in advance not a surprise upon checkout. I would also like to add that I just received my medical records and he blatantly lied. It states in the medical records that he discussed the risk associated with dissolving a filler and also stated that he tell me prior to the procedure that he would not treat this area in the future. That is a blatant lie! Only after he dissolve the filler did he say not to treat that area again for awhile. Four days after I received an email from him stating “to therapeutically find another provider. So in addition to all that I’ve been through, now I am being lied to. I’ve consulted with two other doctors and nobody will touch the area, Nobody will fix his mistake. I was told by one of the doctors a round of steroids should’ve been given to me instead of dissolving the area to see if that helped.