Does anyone here have any experience with this?
Unfortunately, I was talked into one .8 ml syringe of bellafill (a permanent, non dissolvable filler) for my acne scars 10 months ago. I was told it was necessary to improve the scarring and it was such a minimal amount of filler that I would hardly notice it and I would definitely need more sessions down the line. I actually had doubts, but I agreed to it on the spot out of desperation to see some improvement. I had already tried many different treatments for my acne scars before this, and they were not very successful.
At the time, I didn't know how bellafill worked. I did know that it was a long lasting collagen inducing filler, and that it was FDA approved for the treatment of acne scars.
The doctor did not inject it as I expected him to (microdroplets superficially) but I didn't stop him because I trusted that he was an expert. Instead, it was mostly injected deep. I did choose a licensed dermatologist who does a large volume of bellafill treatments.
Anyway, this has been an enormous regret of mine and I've developed complications including pain, swelling, redness, and irritation. I've already had multiple steroid treatments for this by a different doctor. Aesthetically... I don't really look like myself anymore and there was not a change in my acne scarring. The aesthetic change from the filler was not an improvement.
It's hard to believe that doctors are knowingly injecting permanent filler in people for cosmetic purposes when there are known complications for doing so. How do they expect to treat any complications if they come up? Isn't there an oath to do no harm? I can't believe this product is legal, let alone FDA approved in the US. Some other countries have banned it altogether, for good reason. Please don't get this filler! There are other, better alternatives.
Does anyone know what I can do?
And for any plastic surgeons that may be here... Do you know what I could do? Would the bellafill be visible during a facelift? I don't otherwise want or need a facelift, but I do want to get this out and my body seems to rejecting it. I can't afford it either, but I guess I could sell everything I own, never leave my apartment, and stop eating.
This really was a small amount of filler, so I think that what I'm mostly experiencing is excess scar tissue formation and a foreign body reaction. There are no granulomas or lumps, so there isn't a specific area to target. It's diffuse in both cheeks. Are there any less invasive removal options like suctioning? But again, there isn't really a specific area to target.
Happy to hear any general information or advice on this. As well as anyone who may have experienced complications from permanent fillers or silicone (be warned, bellafill isn't much better) and what you may have done to treat this.
Thanks!