POSTED UNDER Voluma REVIEWS
54 Year Old Woman - Poor Voluma Results in Spokane, WA
ORIGINAL POST
I am a 54 year old woman and this was my first...
sc62February 14, 2016
$1,600
I am a 54 year old woman and this was my first experience with a cosmetic filler. If readers take anything away from this, please be cautious of even all-5-star doctor reviews.
I was hoping to improve my sagging jowls. The doctor, a well respected dermatologist who I found on realself, injected 2 vials total of Voluma just under my eyes next to my nose, and high on my outer cheekbones. Within days the injections resulted in a black eye, excessive mid-face swelling, and under eye skin issues not present pre-injection (I developed what looked like small raised water blisters with the skin covering them crepey and dark.) The cosmetic results were very unattractive, with unnatural crescent shaped ridges running across both sides of my face which only emphasized my eye hollows. I looked so strange that people stared while I was out in public. At 1 month I'd had enough and made an appointment to have the Voluma removed with Hyaluronidase. At the appointment the doctor forewarned me it would take a considerable amount of time for the swelling to subside. It's been over 6 months, and the mid-face swelling is gone. Although the crescent shaped ridges remain, they are barely noticeable. Under my eyes the hollows are still emphasized, and the crepiness and dark skin remains. I hope this is not permanent.
Immediate Post Hyaluronidase results: a small improvement over the first few days to e swelling closest to my nose.
This review has been edited at the request of the consumer, sc62 on 2/16/16
sc62's provider
Replies (54)
February 15, 2016
Thank you for your review. I was considering traveling to see this doctor, but I will definitley reconsider now.
February 17, 2016
Dr. Chestnut is probably the most highly respected Voluma specialist in the area, and even the best physicians eventually will have negative reviews. If you are older, I would be very careful of injections close to your nose or eyes (many negative Voluma reviews are related to injections in these areas.) The skin becomes more thin and delicate as we age, and the needle used is large. Regardless of your age, read up on the negative reviews so you can discuss any concerns with the physician you meet with. Good luck.
February 16, 2016
Be very careful with Voluma, I'm still dealing with puffiness and odd firm ridges under my eyes 2 years and 2 months later....and I went to a top notch PS. This stuff moves - so good luck hoping it stays where you want it! Something they don't tell you...
February 17, 2016
I read a lot on Real Self and have not commented much to this point, but I feel compelled to say something after reading this review.
I am an injector in the Spokane area (keep in mind that technically makes Dr. Chesnut my competition). I have Dr. Chesnut do all of my personal injections, and I know several other injectors in the area that go to him as well. Dr. Chesnut is incredibly knowledgable and a leader in the field. He trains other injectors and teaches and speaks at top tier conferences. He is also a very personable man, as is evident by his numerous 5 star reviews. I would caution people to be swayed by the outlier, which is the case here.
The world of cosmetics can be very tricky, we cannot make everyone happy, and believe me, Dr. Chesnut wanted you and every patient to have a good result. Unfortunately every injector will have a poor result or complication at some point. Things like bruising and swelling are common and come with the territory. As frustrating it is to need to dissolve filler, it happens to the best, and thankfully there are hyalironic acid fillers that can be dissolved, making them safer to use. Of everyone in the area, Dr. Chesnut is the most versed in managing complication and routinely see referrals when other injectors are out of their depth.
Voluma is a great product, but again, adverse reactions can and do occur. Find a skilled knowledgable injector that can recommend the right product for you.
Sc62 I am sorry you had a bad experience, especially since it was your first experience, but I would caution you and others who read this review to extrapolate one negative experience to define Dr. Chestnut, Voluma, or fillers in general.
I am an injector in the Spokane area (keep in mind that technically makes Dr. Chesnut my competition). I have Dr. Chesnut do all of my personal injections, and I know several other injectors in the area that go to him as well. Dr. Chesnut is incredibly knowledgable and a leader in the field. He trains other injectors and teaches and speaks at top tier conferences. He is also a very personable man, as is evident by his numerous 5 star reviews. I would caution people to be swayed by the outlier, which is the case here.
The world of cosmetics can be very tricky, we cannot make everyone happy, and believe me, Dr. Chesnut wanted you and every patient to have a good result. Unfortunately every injector will have a poor result or complication at some point. Things like bruising and swelling are common and come with the territory. As frustrating it is to need to dissolve filler, it happens to the best, and thankfully there are hyalironic acid fillers that can be dissolved, making them safer to use. Of everyone in the area, Dr. Chesnut is the most versed in managing complication and routinely see referrals when other injectors are out of their depth.
Voluma is a great product, but again, adverse reactions can and do occur. Find a skilled knowledgable injector that can recommend the right product for you.
Sc62 I am sorry you had a bad experience, especially since it was your first experience, but I would caution you and others who read this review to extrapolate one negative experience to define Dr. Chestnut, Voluma, or fillers in general.
February 17, 2016
I think you are absolutely correct, in most of what you wrote. An adverse reaction can happen, which is unfortunate. I believe the attitude of the doctor made this experience for Sc2 even more traumatic and difficult. Finding an experience and artful injector is very important, but also someone who will be caring, in case something goes wrong.
February 17, 2016
Thank you, I appreciate your comments and would like to add the following. Dr. Chestnut is a well respected and top rated physician, that's why I chose him. Whatever the reason for my bad results, I understand responsibility can't be placed solely/or even partially on Dr. Chestnut; the results were disappointing, but not the end of the world. I hope I am a reasonable person, and understand if there's a 91% "worth it!", then there's a 9% likelihood of poor results (whether it's technique, or I'm just a "sweller", etc.) My review of the Voluma experience is very separate from my review of the doctor, which I trust/hope is apparent to those reading it. I want to end this by saying Dr. Chestnut's behavior during the last appointment was, for lack of a better word, unexpected. He's in the business of working with aging women who hope to turn back the clock - he could have been more cognizant of my feelings and less occupied with his own. If he (or any doctor) can take anything positive away from this review, I hope he's more aware that his relationships with his cosmetic patients is as important, or even more important, than actual results. I have the means and spirit to try additional procedures, and likely would have remained his patient, with his consent of course, had this not happened.
February 18, 2016
Well said Rae Jordon! Here is my voluma journey that I happily took with Dr Chesnut and would do it again. This included a few procedures as well. https://www.realself.com/review/voluma-journey-starts-head
February 18, 2016
Good for you. So happy that you had a positive experience. But this is sc62's review. I'm sure you would feel the same way if you had her results.
March 10, 2016
WOW. this poor woman gave a VERY objective review considering her experience and she has everyone from 'real self' site managers to other plastic surgeons 'standing up for' this guy. She acknowledged his professionalism (the first appt), his reputation, his experience... But his behavior toward her during the second apt is uncalled for. She ACKNOWLEDGED that some people have bad after effects. She wasn't blaming him. She was correct in pointing out his behavior. This is a support community... She had a bad experience. She doesn't now need her review to be second guessed and belittled by others giving praise to the man who treated her the way he did. In MY OPINION.
March 31, 2016
I doubt that it is necessary for you to caution anyone about how they react to the comments made here by a person who wanted to share her experience, which is the point of this website. The doctors use this website to draw new patients to their practice...to sell their procedures. If a patient has a poor outcome, this is a forum that is used to share that information. It is also helpful when a patient shares their successful treatments, and we are all enlightened by it. It makes no sense to "shield" the doctor, as only the doctor and the patient know what occurred. If the doctor is so moved, he can do his own explaining of his version of what happened. That, more than anything, would not only enlighten us, but would give us a complete understanding. That...understanding...is what we are all seeking. Sc62 had a bad experience, it doesn't mean your friend is a bad doctor. And, although Sc62 modified her review after she was somewhat chastised, I am sorry I missed it, and, she had every right to describe her experience. It's what makes this website a great resource!
March 31, 2016
Totally agree with greenlilybeth. Some doctors need to get some training on bedside manner and put their ego aside.
April 1, 2016
Agreed, we can all be tolerant of a fluke result but a defensive, accusatory and/or dismissive; unkind response is never o.k.
April 17, 2016
Surprise you are happy with the results because you do not look improved at all. Still the same old face.
As a manager you should not give your opinion in this lady review when she clearly did not have good results.
Very unprofessional and insensitive . Shame on you .
As a manager you should not give your opinion in this lady review when she clearly did not have good results.
Very unprofessional and insensitive . Shame on you .
February 18, 2016
thank you for sharing I had no idea this could happen with voluma further I agree that was very in mature and especially as a Doctor
UPDATED FROM sc62
9 months post
Comments Received
sc62April 3, 2016
Thanks everyone for your support and suggestions - it's actually helped a lot. Less welcome though, are comments posted by Rae Jordan a local physician, and DebraRealSelf a local realself manager. Both posts are intended to defend the doctor/product, and are not related to my experience (Debra goes as far as redirecting readers to her own personal review, and high-fiving Rae.) I'm pointing this out because it's irksome that a realself manager did this - she either has poor judgement or she's made it her job to lobby for realself advertisers.
Replies (9)
April 9, 2016
I'm so glad your issues has subsided and you have healed. I am suffering with nerve damage since getting Voluma in my cheek 10mths ago, it's daily constant pain, there is no relief and I could be looking at permanent damage if this does not heal sometime soon which is too unbearable to think about. My doc said the pain was in my head and I needed a psychologist, unbelievable! I don't think the adverse affects of injectables are really made clear. With pristine offices and persuasive doctors who promise the world when your handing over money, it is a very different reception when things go wrong. What's scary is no doctor wants so correct the mess of another doctor because they all have each others backs. It's a lucrative industry and they want to keep it that way!
April 10, 2016
sorry for your experience. the more they inject, the more they bill. that's what is all about for them. I really don't think they absolutely know how the filler will look. I would not go near 'Voluma' for any amount of money in the world, and that goes for some of the other fillers as well. You only have to go on real self to read the horror stories. People that have a good result are extremely fortunate. But, you can find someone to help with it. I had a similar experience and went to a trusted plastic surgeon to try to undo the mess someone else created. It's been two months, and I'm getting to the point where I can almost accept the damage. I just keep telling myself it will all get better.
May 24, 2016
I had a terrible experience with Voluma and Belotero filler. The sagging skin and sunken eyes I'm left with make me so self conscious and unable to look at myself in the mirror. I'm glad you were able to find a plastic surgeon to help you. I feel so burned by my dermatologist that I don't trust any doctors anymore. I'm afraid a PS will make it worse. I'm hoping someday I will have the confidence to find someone that can help.
April 11, 2016
The more I read the more I feel I want to avoid ANY procedure. I'm horrified every time I read of someone going to another country alone to have a major procedure done. I know there are a lot of good outcomes & I live in an area where there are a lot of highly rated plastic surgeons. I'very been to seminars given to draw patients (customers) & find them interesting but I've also heard the stories of things gone wrong & the insensitive treatment of the patient by even the top doctors (I guess it's ego when things go wrong). Better have a lot of money to fix whatever might go wrong. I'very had some botox, juvederm, restalayne; lot of money, not much change. I almost had Ultherapy until I read the reviews on here & I really feel I dodged a bullet. There are no guarantees.
June 9, 2016
Sc62 Thank you for all this info about volumna cz I also had it injected and was not happy with the result. I am asian and hated my round face so a well respected Dr. persuaded me to get volumna so it would lift my cheeks and give me high cheekbones,, and thank god i only had one syringe shared between the 2 cheeks .inspite of him telling me to get 2 syringes.... (they always want to to overinject)... Well I hated the result cz it made my face look strange and i dont see no cheekbones lol>>>it wasnot really the filler i need cz i went to see other dr. opinion. They told me that i didnt need it... So back to the injector and had it melted but i knoe it is still there some residual but ill be fine with it... Too scared that it might melt my good collagen ..lol.. You are very right we all need to be careful with fillers... Some are not suited for the problems we are trying to address and its hard to find a well trusted dr. that i s out for our wellbeing not for profit!!!
June 10, 2016
This is indeed disturbing. I had a total of $4,000 worth of fillers about 13 months ago. They lasted about 2 weeks. I think I prefer for loss to having what SC62 endured. When challenged as to why he didn't try one area before injecting $4,000 worth of product before he knew whether it would stay they promised amount of time, his response was, "Well, the medical community is not perfect." Turns out he has an employee in whom the filler also stays a very short time - BUT he did not share that info with me before he injected me and then did a face lift the next day. Some of these people will do anything for the almighty dollar - anything.
November 26, 2016
It takes 3 to 4 rounds to dissolve 1 syringe of voluma with hyaluronidase. hyaluronidase does not dissolve collagen. if you have more syringes of voluma multiply that number of rounds by 2. hyaluronidase is very safe. it took me 4 rounds of hyaluronidase to dissolve 1 syringe of voluma and i had no problem with the hyaluronidase. voluma feels like tofu under the skin.
Sorry to hear about this. I have had Voluma with Dr. Chesnut as well as several procedures and the results with Voluma was one of my favorites. You can see my review on my profile.