PLEASE PLEASE Don't! I Would Do Anything to Take Back my Decision to Get These Injections. Tampa, FL

Thank you. This will be a long response but I'm hoping it helps someone who's going through what I am.

I don't have any pics at this time because there isn't much to see (yet). It doesn't show up well in pics and although I know the swelling is not normal for my face, someone who has never seen me before probably wouldn't think it looks odd. The main issue right now is that I'm terrified it's going to get worse and become very noticeable.

As far as treatment, I have had a few of the lumpy/swollen areas injected with 5-FU. Two areas were injected almost two weeks ago; one seems to have improved but I'm not so sure about the second. To be fair, 5-FU is supposed to take time to work but the waiting and wondering is killing me. From what I have read, there are some lesions that don't respond to the injections. I also had two more areas injected early last week; I don't really see any change there yet.

I have done TONS of reading and researching on my own, and learned that allopurinol, a prescription drug used to treat gout, has been successful in treating granulomas. This was very interesting to me because I didn't know much about gout and didn't understand why a gout medication would be useful for granuloma. It turns there's more to gout than just excess uric acid; inflammation is a HUGE part of it too, and that inflammation tends to come from a bad diet (which I am guilty of) and other lifestyle factors. Allopurinol does reduce uric acid but apparently it also does something else - it acts as a free radical scavenger.

Since I don't necessarily want to take allopurinol at this point, I am improving my diet and taking supplements that are powerful anti-inflammatories/free radical scavengers. I started taking them about a week ago, and I do feel less pain and stinging than I did before. I also was taking ibuprofen for the past couple of weeks but stopped yesterday because I don't want to cause gastrointestinal damage.

I will keep this updated and if anyone is interested in what supplements I'm taking, please ask.

I am very curious to know how the 5-FU works? My face is getting so puffy! I think it's partially my diet too. I've been on an oral steroid for awhile now. It's either that or just being bummed out is making me eat things that I wouldn't normally eat. I am so sorry that you are having a negative experience. I wish we both would have done better research, sounds like we are in the same boat

And I am very interested in the supplements you are raking also.

Taking not raking...lol

Hi Concerned77777,

I'm sorry to hear of your experience. I do want to say though that in your case, it sounds like you have a delayed allergic reaction to the collagen (I'm pretty sure I've read that this is possible even with a negative allergy test). I think this could pass once the collagen dissolves in a few months. Have you been back to your doctor? I'm also sorry to read that you were hesitant but your dr's office talked you into having it done anyway; doesn't seem very ethical!

The 5-FU is actually a chemotherapy drug...scary, right? But I'm so desperate for my face not to blow up that I don't care! I really haven't experienced any side effects from it so far though, and I have read that intralesional 5-FU injection *should* cause minimal or no side effects. The 5-FU is an anti-mitotic that prevents cell proliferation, so it's supposed to help dissolve some of the collagen that your body has produced in reaction to the filler and I believe also slow down the cellular activity of your immune system in the site where it's injected.

I am feeling a lot better today. Here is my daily supplement regimen:

-2000 mg fish oil
-good quality multivitamin (taken as directed on the package)
-400 mg magnesium
-2250 mg curcumin
-5000 IU vitamin D3
-1200 mg tart cherry capsules
-12 mg astaxanthin

***I do want to add a disclaimer that although my face feels better, my body has felt pretty strange today - I have felt a little weak and shaky at times, like I have low blood sugar. I think the curcumin could be to blame because it turns out it can cause hypoglycemia! Astaxanthin could have the same effect from what I'm reading but I don't think I've been taking it long enough for it to be the cause. It's also possible I;m just having an anxiety episode and none of the supplements are to blame, but I wanted to warn people just in case. You can always try lower doses than what I'm taking also.***

Please keep us updated on what you decide to try and whether it helps you. Crossing my fingers for you that this goes away in time!

Concerned77777 - I asked if you returned to your dr but I see that you've been put on steroids so you must have. Sorry about that!

Thank you, I will do that. Good luck to you too - hopefully you'll be part of the lucky majority that doesn't have these issues!

Hi, it actually has improved as of today; I was about to post an update about it...But no matter what happens to me at this point, I still would never recommend Bellafill. There are many horror stories out there far worse than mine.

Even if my current symptoms resolve I'll always fear that I might have major issues in the future since it can happen years post-injection. I really regret not researching this product thoroughly beforehand and will never get another injectable besides hyaluronic acid, since it's reversible in case there's a problem!

I had Bellafill on the 4th of December. I've been on steroids for over a month! I did the allergy test one month before my procedure and had no problems. But my I still had a negative reaction. I almost backed out, but when I called to cancel my appointment they talked me right back into it. DO NOT DO IT!!! Please! Stick to the fillers that can be reversed. I cry almost daily. Please just don't.

When did you first see or feel a problem ?

Sorry, I am so late responding. About 2 weeks out was my first problem.

Hi betsyt10, I'm sorry to hear that. I haven't heard of bruising and swelling lasting that long with Bellafill or any filler so the best suggestion I can make is to go back to your doctor if you haven't already, and/or seek another opinion. It does sound like it will go away in time. Good luck and keep us posted.

Thank you :)

Thanks txmom808! I didn't know it was available in topical form. I've actually been taking curcumin capsules for two weeks. I had to lower my dose because I was feeling hypoglycemic but I believe it deserves a lot of the credit for my improvement.

Thank you :) I haven't heard of that before and will check it out. There is definitely a dire need for more options to treat these complications.

Hi, I can't comment on providers in Atlanta but want to confirm that several doctors have stated online that local steroids and 5FU are very effective for these issues. Dr. Arnold Klein was a very vocal opponent of permanent fillers due to their complications and said he had amazing success treating lesions with steroids/5FU (in case you're not familiar with Dr. Klein, he was Michael Jackson's dermatologist). He specifically recommended 0.9 cc of 5FU to 0.1 cc of Kenalog although I can't remember if he said what strength of Kenalog he used. He spaced the injections 3 or 4 weeks apart I believe, which is pretty typical.

If you can't find a doctor experienced at treating Bellafill complications, find one you feel comfortable with and give them the above info. Ask them to Google/research it for themselves. If they're a good doctor, they'll be open to that because they'll want to find a solution for you.

Also did you read the update I posted to my review? I really think the changes I made could help you too. I can't believe the difference it has made for me - it's FAR beyond what I expected. Steroids are just anti-inflammatories. We can make lifestyle changes and take supplements and while they might not work as fast as steroids, they can reduce our inflammation drastically without the dangerous side effects.

Some supplements have really extreme antioxidant activity and it seems to matter for these complications. In fact, there is a prescription drug, allopurinol, that has been used successfully to treat filler granuloma. Allopurinol is traditionally used for gout. It reduces uric acid but more importantly for us, it's also a strong free radical scavenger.

I will update my review to include the supplements I take in case you're interested.

I'm sorry for what you're going through. I really hope things get better and you find a good doctor to help you. Keep us posted!

Just want to add that I too knew Dr Klein and his position on permanent fillers. I developed a large granuloma a few months after having Radiesse injections: it required surgery (and a scar, and plenty of steroid shots for months to smooth it). Radiesse isn't permanent but it and permanent fillers can cause problems way after the original injection date. I'd now never do anything but a hyaluronic filler - adore Juvaderm especially - because if there are unexpected bumps or aesthetic issues, it can be dissolved with an injection.

Has anyone tried Hylaurdonase for Bellafill complications? Thanks.

Hi, temporary fillers are those that contain hyaluronic acid only. Examples are Restylane, Perlane, and Voluma.

To clarify my response, the hyaluronic acid fillers are NOT the only ones that are temporary, but they are the only ones I would recommend. They are the only ones that are reversible by injection if there is a problem.

Fillers such as Sculptra and Radiesse are also temporary but they are not made of hyaluronic acid. They're non-reversible and are known to cause lasting complications, sometimes requiring surgery to resolve!

Thank you so much for your response I am not educated regarding this. There is another lady on Rd that got ultherapy which is fine with a laser and she is extremely unhappy.

No, I didn't. I wish I had! I know I'm not allergic to the collagen but it would've given me time to go home and research the filler and read all the horror stories!

Good luck with your appointment Friday. I really hope your issues can be resolved without surgery!

Thanks :)

Hi, I would say things have improved slightly since my last update. I have continued the supplements and have only felt pain maybe one or two days. I am still getting some swelling popping up in different places sometimes, but not as bad as before. Lumps/fullness are still palpable under the skin but not really visible. I believe the worst lump is getting smaller, possibly due to the 5-FU injection I received last month.