LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Dear Dr. Lam,
Came across your YouTube video in a desperate search for information. I had Radiesse injected in nasolabial folds and nasomandibular folds (hope this is the correct term for "marionette lines"). This was done on 12/18/07. The results are dreadful! I have what appears to be swelling/lumpiness..very pronounced on one side, but also noticeable on the other. I look horrible. In fact, on the less pronounced/but still visible side, I can even place my index finger inside of my mouth and my thumb on the outside and feel the lump inside -- it extends downward.
I had hoped nobody would notice, but at church on Sunday two people (one a physician) asked me what had happened to my face! I One asked if I'd had oral surgery. I am horrified and, frankly, scared. I have no idea why my surgeon would have injected so much, but noticed that you mentioned having had to dig it out of one patient "handpiece meal". Was this the area where you experienced the complication? Will it go away on its own? Can it be surgically removed? If so, do I need to find a different surgeon to do so as my confidence in this physician is understandably shaken? I know you must be busy, but I look like a chipmunk and have absolutely no idea who else to ask. Please respond if you can. Thanks. Judy K, (Champaign, IL)

unfortunately, the only way to get rid of radiesse is to cut it out. fortunately, it is a temporary product. some people only last a few months. however, some may last 8 months to a year and a half. injectables like steroids will not help and could cause further problems like divoting. you should probably start by asking your surgeon about what to do first. but i understand your wanting to go elsewhere. i just responded to a similar question to someone else where i suggested possibly injecting other products around the radiesse to blend it in better but i don't know if that would work in your case. i would use restylane, which is reversible.
hope that helps and i am sorry for your situation,
sml

Dear Dr. Lam,
Thank you for your reply. At least now I know it could be cut out.
Thanks again. Judy K.

let me clarify, in general it can't be cut out except if it creates a ball inside the mouth with the marionette line. if that is the case, yes. i would be hesitant to cut out a product that is temporary and then cause a scar if it involves a skin cut. sorry for the lack of precision in my response.

Dear Dr. Lam,
Again, thank you so much for the generosity of your response. You must be extremely busy, and the fact that you could take a minute to send an email to a worried stranger speaks volumes about what sort of person you must be.
I appreciate your thoughts on this. At this point I will speak to the doctor who did the procedure first; and have also put an appt. on the calendar for a second opinion consult with a doctor in our area who specializes in facial plastic surgery. (I asked if he had ever removed Radiesse before and was told that he had.) Perhaps between the two of them I can come up with a plan I can live with. The product does feel like a lumpy mass on either side of my mouth. I was told that massaging it might help to break it down. I am a bit dubious, but I suppose that "like chicken soup...it couldn't hurt."
Thanks again, Dr. Lam!

Massaging really helps in the first week. That is why I see all my patients back at a week, but you are not that far out so massage away. I think that is a good idea.
best,
sml

Hi Dr. Lam,
Quick update -- I saw the surgeon for follow up today. His theory is that it is swelling/edema etc. of the tissues. There was only 1 cc total used in the marionette lines and a touch of that was even diverted to fill in around developing jowls and make them less obvious. Yet there was clearly more than a full cc of "stuff" going on on each side of the swollen areas, if that makes sense. There is also some sort of pinkish/reddish reactivity going on. He prescribed a course of steroids and also antibiotics just in case there could be an infection. There sure was severe bruising in those same areas after the theory. I sure hope his theory is correct since that would provide some hope.

I am glad you are receiving care. At this point, my conjecture is pretty meaningless so trust your physician and not what I have to say since I have never seen you, met you, and did not do the work. Best of luck and keep me informed as to your progress.
SML