Devastating Thermage my Life is Ruined. Toronto. ON

I have had exactly the same experience. Feels like life will never be the same. What has helped to fix the fat loss and indentations for you?

Thank you very much. It really does help to have support. What I really hope to do by talking about my experience with thermage is to discourage anyone else from even considering subjecting themselves to it. I am grateful for this site for allowing me to speak out

Thank you so much for your response. I am so sorry for what you have gone through, and am so happy to hear you are having success with fat grafting. I have an appointment to see a surgeon in Toronto who specializes in the procedure; your comment couldn't 't have been at a better time. I would feel comfortable with multiple sessions. I don't know when or if the fat I now have will stop dissolving. Did you notice it tapering off at any point? I am also developing scars, pits, and patches of thin skin, as well as some hyper pigmentation. How long was it between the second thermage treatment and you first fat graft? I hope you heal quickly and well.

Although it's painful to walk around looking (and feeling) disfigured, your surgeon will probably advise you to give it a few more months before undergoing any fat grafts, to make sure no additional issues from the Thermage appear. From my own experience, I can't say precisely how long it was before the damage from Thermage stopped, but it was probably around the 3 month mark - that seems about right, too, from what I've read, because if excessive heat from Thermage ruptures and kills the fat cells under the skin, it takes the body about that long to clear away now-dead detritus. You'll need to accept that the grafting will be a gradual procedure. Find an experienced doctor who uses 'fat micro grafting'. If the doctor simply inject a large lump of fat cells, they way he would with a synthetic filler, the body is not able to establish a blood supply to all those cells, and consequently most die and must be resorbed. As I mentioned above, I didn't see all that much improvement from the first session. I liken my first treatment to the foundation of a house - absolutely necessary, but not all that much to look at until you begins to build the first and second stories with subsequent treatments. The deeper the pitting, the more treatments it will require to solve. [Incidentally, I considered restyle injections as a cheaper method of correction, but I have an (unheard of, my doctor said) reaction to it! Over the course of several years I had tried it in several places on my face, on separate occasions, to fill small scars and have permanent redness each place I used it, still many years later. I'm very happy I didn't try Restylane around the eyes! As I said, though, my reaction is a rare one. Restylane might work for any deeper pitting you have. Even if I could safely use Restylane, though, I would not use it over large areas of my face - I think it's best suited to fill small, deep, well-defined indentations.] I'm not certain from your post the exact nature of your damage. Is the grid-pattern you mention a grid-pattern of indentation from underlying fat loss? Or is there also actual surface scarring? If you have any surface scarring, you may want to take care of that first - once you get the new fat in place, you'll suddenly value it very highly and won't want to undergo any harsh procedures that might endanger it!! The hyper pigmentation can probably be dealt with before fat grafting by an IPL laser treatment, or a moderate chemical peel. Again, though, you may want to give your skin some time to stabilize before any further treatments. That sucks, I know! As for the fat grafts I had: It was done under general anaesthesia, which I hate, but I suppose is necessary because even the best patients can't avoid twitching the eyes. There was a lot of swelling and bruising. The swelling mostly resolved in a week, but the bruising lasted about 4 weeks. Then there was a yellowish-cast around the eyes for a couple of months (where the skin is so thin) which eventually did disappear, as my doctor said it would. Interestingly, he said patients routinely have less bruising and faster recovery from subsequent treatments, and that's exactly what happened for me. I'm right now at the 3 week point after my second fat grafting, and the bruising is already gone. Perhaps with the increased blood flow to the area (established from the previous treatment) the body is able to clear things faster? One last thing: doctors never seem to think of this, but the irregularities to your face caused by fat loss are most readily visible in lighting that brings out relief. In other words, he not only needs to look at your face in bright daylight condition, but also when you're lit from behind, or from above. That's what really brings out the hollowness, unevenness, and pitting. Using that as his guide, he can most easily identify the problematic areas, as well as best judge his results. In case your doctor tries to tell you that that you won't encounter that kind of lighting in real life, ask him whether he's ever gone anywhere at night. Dim restaurants, clubs, etc all have spotlights which will publicly show you in that light at some point or another. Hope that helps you some! Feel better - it can be corrected, but it'll take some time and effort!

One more thing! I see you posted elsewhere that you are having 'adhesions' of skin to underlying areas, almost as if you have not just fat loss, but actually subdermal scarring! Yipes! Did you have surface burns to your face after Thermage? If so, that's something your clinic couldn't deny having done to you. In any case, further to my message below about taking care of the other issues before moving on to fat grafting, perhaps you should consider several treatments with a dermal roller, performed by a doctor so he can use the longer needles. That might help break up any underlying scar tissue.

I did not have any surface burning , however , the scars that I have are indented squares appearing in the grid pattern that they use to mark the treated areas . More appear as I lose fat; so it seems as though they're coming up from underneath. I have a large white burn scar from the procedure on my neck, and I worry that I can see some of the same type of tissue appearing in some areas on my cheeks. I pray it is my imagination! If it continues to get worse, there won't be any denying it! I know what you mean by lighting - it will take a better camera than I have to photograph some of the damage, and I will mention it to the surgeon, thank you. I will see a lawyer this week to start a file, though if I can remedy some of this before it scars further, I would rather erase the 'proof' than have it. I have been rolling the skin on my upper cheeks between my fingers to try to break up what feel like adhesions. It feels like bits of broken glass. I also have sensations of mosquito bites randomly throughout my face and occasionally in my eyes which terrifies me. Thank you for your suggestion of using a derma roller, I will do as you suggest. I have derma rolled a little myself, but am worried about doing it wrong and making things worse. I had some restylane injected into my cheek hollows at two months after the thermage hoping that there wouldn't be any more change. The areas where I had it injected , now 2 months later , still feel bruised and I have a creepy feeling that these injectables may not be quite as safe as they'd like to think. I read somewhere that scar tissue from waving the needle around through the tissue with every subsequent injection will cause problems down the road . It seems many have experienced fat loss with IPL and fraxel as well - I am getting very skittish about these machines. I am so glad to hear that you are having success with the grafting. I am very grateful for your help and advice! How long was it from your first graft to this one?

First, I think you might want to avoid from this point on any type of treatment that carries any risk of additional fat loss. Perhaps you are particularly sensitive? The doctor doing my fat grafts said he's sees occasional fat loss in in some patients after laser treatments and/or fraxel, but that most frequently he sees if after Thermage. I was concerned what future 'maintenance' treatments remain available to me , and he said he thinks the medical needling (Derma Roller) is safe. In fact, he performs it in his office. Maybe that's the one you should pursue first, to deal with any scarring without causing additional fat loss. But don't do it at home! Do it with a doctor, preferably the same one who will do your fat grafts. He will give you numbing cream or a lidocaine injection, and he can use much longer needles. The fact that you can feel hardened areas under the skin does sound scar-like. Or maybe its just the hardened remains of the fat that was destroyed? The doctor can probably give you some answers on that one. As for my fat grafts, you need to wait at least 3 months between each session. I did my first in July, and second in December, so about 4 months. I think I'll need one more to get it right, but already I see a world of difference...

Thank you so much. I can't tell you how it helps me to have your reply to my post . I find that everywhere on my skin that has a dent is painful to massage. I suspect adhesions but it's hard to know for sure. I will let you know what the surgeon (and lawyer say this week. ). I am so very glad you are doing well . I won't do any more lasers , they have never helped me in the past. I had age spots on my hands and arms treated several years ago and noticed immediately that I had far MORE spots appear. Now my arms are crepey like a 90 year old's. My face had beautiful plump skin before I did this, now the surface of my face is starting to whither like my arms. I'm hoping derma rolling can help that too, but it seems a tall order. Have you found that the fat injections have helped your skin texture?

I have noticed some skin texture improvement around the eyes There may be two reasons for this: 1) the most obvious reason for this is of course the increased volume, which pulls the skin slightly more taut 2) my doctor said, though, that the increased blood supply to the areas after the fat grafts 'take' should also improve skin texture. That may be true in my case, but I can't say for ceryain yet. Do keep me updated, and take it slow. The revovery process will take a while but you will likely be able to get be near normal. Hoe ironic that what we're desperately striving to regain now is what we deemed 'not good enough' before and were truing to improve!

Sorry for all the typos in last text - was trying to do this from my phone!

I know. I look at 'naturally' aging women with envy now. I can tell you are very lovely on the inside even before your external beauty is restored! It is great that you are getting some improvement In the texture of the skin around your eyes. What areas of your face did you have done? The fat that I have left on my face feels like jello; did you experience the same ? Thermage was supposed to just be a gentle tightening. I actually thought that because I had it done 8 years ago with some success, and also because my skin was so nice, that I was just doing a little touch up. Maybe there was enough damage that went unnoticed in the 'sub derma' after the first go that it couldn't deal with it a second time. I've seen other blogs where damage seems to have happened after the subsequent treatments. Will we ever know? I am trying to stay calm and go slow as you say - the drive to find what action to take is ever present. The very fact that one person out there has found help certainly soothes the panic tremendously. I will absolutely keep you updated; please do the same!

I have had damage from thermage too. Feel very alone with this so very glad to see this forum. Would you recommend the Dr. You used for fat graft.

Hi, I see you are London based, so am I. I am a 54 yr old female who has recently been damaged by thermage. I have fat loss and indentations. I am encouraged by your experience of micro fat grafting. I was thinking volume, but am also exploring ways to help . How are you now?

I am having difficulty replying to your excellent blog. I would find it really helpful to message as I'm traumatised by this thermage damage

Hi Calum, I am so sorry you are going through this. I think you want to contact JWC2 who also lives in London, and has had success with fat grafting. I have not had any treatment yet. I wish you all the very best.

Thank you for taking the time to reply, Zoe, how are you doing now?

Hi Calum I have deliberately gained weight to see if my facial fat would respond, and it has; although the fat around my eyes is gone, and I'm left with dark circles and wrinkled skin. I am developing age spots on my cheeks , and my eyes have become dry. I have a very little amount of restylane in my cheek hollows , though I have to say I've become nervous about fillers; some people have problems with the stuff as well. I am looking for a surgeon who has done about a million successful facial fat transfers ( Brazilian butt doctors need not apply!) there are some scary fat transfers, though JWC2 seemed to be satisfied. What is your story? I hope your damage isn 't too severe. It is a harrowing experience, made worse by clinics using thermage who say they've never heard of this happening . What a load of crap - they don't ever admit to this happening, which means it is never reported. Even some 'successful 'after ' pictures look like they've lost volume in their faces! I hope you are able to get excellent support. Thank you for posting . This site provides an opportunity to at least prevent others from going through what we have. Take care .

Hi Zoe, thanks so much for your lovely reply, I'm glad your sense of humour and fight is intact. I am still looking at fillers, maybe volume, and rest ylane vital has helped skin texture. It looks like the choices to restore are fillers,Sculptra (also has some bad reviews) micro grafting or face lifting. I am still out on what to do. Hope you are feeling a bit better.

I don't have a before picture that is a closeup of my skin, or one that would preserve my anonymity . I have in the past month, gained 10 - 15 pounds to try to plump up my face. My face looks a little better (my body does not!) The texture of my skin has not improved; and the fat I have in my face feels mushy like jello. I still feel my face is changing 4 months out, but I pray every day it is levelling out. It's hard to say since I've put on weight. Sorry to not be able to provide photos at this time.

Hope you are doing better? I am having similar experiences only 2 months after thermage. Have you tried any fillers? fat grafting? If so, what were those experiences like? healing time? side effects? Thanks for sharing your story.