Lumps, bumps and 'duck lips' are among rare but alarming complications
Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comFacial filler foul-ups thwart patients' quest for youth
Seeded on Fri Sep 24, 2010 7:45 AM EDT (msnbc.com)
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Sadly for the patient, but very profitable for the doctors - Vanity has been, and shall remain, a billion dollar business.
I can't figure out, based on the "before" picture, why he had anything done at all? What a shame to mess with nature, only to come out looking worse than you did to start with. I'm into aging naturally - come what may.
Shallow confidence and lack of self-esteem in a restless soul will surely empty one's wallet while filling anothers.
To the Writer: What real information did you give to readers in that article? Answer - NONE. Not one sentence about the suffering this man goes through or any compassion shown to the man with the guts to warn other people about risks of these unsafe cosmetic injections. Do the readers or you think that was easy for him to show the harm done to him, or that he doesn't feel bad enough without the moranic readers' comments. Just sensational lines about "duck lips". He wanted to look his best, wow, what a crime, Who doesn't - aside from 90% of the ignorant readers who took pot shots in the dark at him.
How about this instead, the real story not just crap - he trusted a medical doctor, who obviously misled him into the belief that these cosmetic injections were safe. I am sure he wasn't informed of the RISKS that no human being in their right mind would agree to, if informed.
Not a sentence in your article about the FDA being friends of big drug companies and allowed Sculptra cosmetic injections to be approved without appropriate testing.
Not a sentence about Sanofi/Dermik who knew for years prior about the horrific adverse reactions but concealed the facts and used a horrid Disease to get win "quick stamp approval" based on a vote of compassion for limited and restricted use ONLY and than turned around and got Sculptra used for cosmetic improvement for people without the Disease, Sanofi/Dermik claimed their only concern..
This is the type of article meant for the Enquirorr. I feel bad for the guy who trusted you would bring real facts and helpful information to light, FACTS about trusting people who got harmed.
This article has accomplished the goal of bringing to light the fact that NO INVASIVE procedures are without risk. What is safe for one may not be safe for another for many reasons.
The masses who are NOT familiar with the medical field from firsthand knowledge now understand that THEY THEMSELVES must be their own best INFORMED advocate.
The author has led them on this path; mission accomplished.
Fact of the matter is Eric is extremely fortunate that he still has his vision and should be seen/monitored closely by an experienced Board Certified OPHTHALMIC plastic surgeon.
Best to you Eric .
Vanity is a dangerous thing. What is so bad about looking your age? Are you listening Joan Rivers?
She can't. Her ears are one the back side of her head:)
What is natural anymore...? REMEMBER the days when people would say "she colors her hair u know!" Before that it was "try to hide ur wearing makeup otherwise u will look hooker." Now its "bet she's had her lips done! and instead of stuffing u can buy a set!" Times change s@#t happens next it will "he is really not that smart he had an IQ chip implant!"
Nothing is wrong about looking your age---unless you want to hold onto your job.
HA! Joan Rivers... That's a good one! She's had so many face lifts she shaves her pubes to avoid having a goatee!
"Number 12 Looks Just Like You." An original Twilight Zone episode about the fear of aging and the mindless pursuit of vapid beauty. Well worth renting, steaming, downloading, etc.
I guess if you're not willing to age with some personal grace, dignity and the wisdom to see the fruitlessness of vanity, then you shouldn't cry when you fall into "Uh-oh" column of the Surgery Success vs. Risk statistics table.
Doesn't sound very compassionate and it was meant that way.
So true! Some people can not accept the natural aging process and wind up making themselves look like caricatures (Joan Rivers comes to mind immediately). These 'side effects' is you bodies way of telling you that it does not want foreign substances like these injected into it. Take the hint people! I have no issue with people that have cosmetic surgery to correct deformities or when it is medically recommended or necessary. Situations like when eye lids start sagging so much that they start impairing vision. I understand women having breast reductions due to back problems or implants for reconstruction following a mastectomy due to cancer. I realize that it is a personal choice whether or not to have cosmetic surgery just for the sake of trying to look younger. However, if you do go down this path, I do not want to hear i when things go wrong and you wind up looking like some kind of freak. Do not expect me to feel sorry for you when you wind up with lips that look like they belong on a duck. People should think twice before having an cosmetic surgery and make sure they are doing it for the right reasons.
These people don't want you to feel sorry for them,---they are warning others about what can happen.
My thoughts, exactly! Epilady IMMEDIATELY came to mind!
You state 930 adverse reactions in 5yrs but nothing on how many were done that did not have an adverse reaction. Medicine of any kind is not an exact science and things can go wrong with the simplest procedure. I feel for the people who had problems but these fillers can make the world of difference for people who have facial atrophy and other conditions that cause disfigurement.
This is not "medicine"!
You cant fool mother nature. Its too bad america is sooo caught up in looking young. Id rather look healthy. Besides beauty and youth starts from the inside out with proper eating and exercise.
Could not have said it better my self.
Then I guess I'm screwed. LOL
Funny the lengths some will go to recover a phony youth look, hair, boobs, ect. You said it, eating well and some xercise will do wonders, and not being an A??hole makes a big difference.
But I think most of the problem stems from constantly being bombarded with commercials that tell you that you won't get a job or laid unless you dye your hair, change your body and more. Sorry but this is what I got and this is what I work with.
the problem is that this society worships youth and getting old is viewed as a character flaw or failure, rather than being valued for kthe experience and hopefully wisdom that accompanies age. I too have had plastic surgery, and admit I have been thinking about fillers, but hope to be able to resist.
I am not opposed to cosmetic surgery for people who have underlying medical conditions but I would never do it just for the sake of vanity . However, these fillers and injections like Botox.. has anybody really studied the long term effects of them. I feel sorry for the one guy, because he did go to someone board certified and thought it would be a simple procedure.. but it seems like it's really turned into a nightmare for him. True, medicine "Isn't an exact science" but it's often presented that way.. as an exact science. I would want full disclosure of any and all SE before I opted for any procedure. And I'd want a complete list of what is in these fillers and I'd do my own research on them.
Isn't it interesting that when it goes wrong the excuse is that medicine isn't an exact science. But if you mention any kind of alternative medicine, then you hear how allopathic medicine is the only one that is scientific.
Trial lawyers are going to have a field day with this. I doubt there's the potential risk of "Duck Lips" listed on the standard consent form.
The "Duck Lips" comment reminded me of 'OctoMom'! HA! What a funny image that is!
Botox may possibly be dangerous, but alternate fillers like Restylane and Juvederm which contain hyaluronic acid, are extremely safe. I should know, I am afraid of everything and I researched it for years and found that the aforementioned fillers are the only kind on the market that do not require an allergy patch test because hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body. That being said, I had one syringe of Restylane injected into faint laugh lines that I was noticing. I look at it as preventative maintenance...if you take care of your skin, you look and feel healthy. Yes, aging is a natural part of life, but if you say that being crusty, wrinkled and old is fun, you're lying. We now have technology to make us feel better about ourselves and if it is safe, then I say why not? For the people that had negative experiences with fillers, stop being so cheap, don't get injected by someone who is not as experienced as the doctors who charge more. I would rather spend an extra couple of hundred dollars for the peace of mind to know that my filler will be injected properly. I don't have any scarring or obvious signs of having a filler, so I'm happy with my choice to take 5-10 years off of my look.
I'm glad you're happy with your look, and I agree that's important. But your values aren't sacrosanct. Some people don't mind looking their age. I have seen dignified, graceful older women with natural wrinkles whom I think are beautiful. I personally don't care for that artificially young look, and to me it does look artificial. It has that Stepford Wife aura, where no character, no experience, no life wisdom is allowed to show. I don't know about "fun," but some older people are content with who they really are and have no desire to masquerade as someone younger.
The word "crusty" implies that someone wouldn't take care of themselves just because they choose their natural face. And to accuse those who make a choice different from yours of being liars is just plain offensive.
@ Me: There is a game that's been around for about 10 years among doctors who are not plastic surgeons. When they go out, they discuss who has had work done and who hasn't and it is pretty vicious. If you think your "discrete" line eliminations by injections have not been noticed, you could be right. They may have decided that your lines disappeared because of cheek implants.
I'm not against plastic surgery. If you seriously need a nose job, get one. About half of the women I know have not had breast augmentation. I know people with frozen foreheads and lips that change regularly and to the point that the person cannot speak properly. But if you think no-one notices your injections, no matter how discrete, either no-one has looked at you for years and wouldn't notice anything or you're wrong. AND I don't know anyone who has "successfully" gotten injections that has stopped getting them. Be careful.
Nothing is safe for everyone. Caveat emptor.
Sculptra has instructions that MUST be followed. He should have been instructed to heavily massage the area of the injections for 5 minutes 5 times a day for 5 days. That is what prevents the formation of lumps. Sculptra isn't a traditional "filler" as it reacts with the body to have the body grow it's own collagen which happens over a period of 3 months. Perhaps the lack of proper instruction allowed for the collagen to grow in Lumps or balls under the skin directly under injection site as opposed to a smooth coverage area. That is very sad because it lasts for several years.
I followed all of the directions by the Board Certified Surgeon including heavilly massaging the area.
haha, whoops Eric in Atlanta. Yes, I can laugh because you are foolish. Leave it be. The vanity of people will be their downfall. There is no need for it, except in the most dire situations. If you are that insecure about yourself (see Me-2242316's post) to have surgeries, injections of checmicals or any other liquid (that may or may not be from the body) to fix lines then you need to see a therapist. I have plenty of lines from laughing, worrying, and squinting from the sun. It happens to everyone. It's called life.
If you are trying to ragain your youth, excercise. If you are trying to regain your looks from when you were younger, you are in the wrong business. This is life, and you only get older from day 1. Get surgery today, and in a couple years you'll need more, and more and more. Until you look like Kenny Rogers, Joan Rivers or anyone else who had surgery (and it is obvious you pin cushions). Good luck to you if you decide to do it, but you should spend your time and money doing something else. It'll make you happier.
Plastic surgery and other treatments for people with real problems is fine. But there are now 20-somethings who are having Botox treatments! Think Kim Kardashian. And so many people have had awful results - Joan Rivers - the queen of plastic surgery, Cher, Kenny Rogers, Lisa Rinna, Priscilla Presley are just a few who come to mind. Why - they looked better before their treatments? Now, they look like their faces are made of plastic.
Some of these filler products are new to the market. Nobody knows what the long term affects are, they could be worse than the original condition. Remember the problems years ago with silicon breast implants? Some of them leaked, and the women had serious health issues because of the silicon getting into their tissues.
I feel sad for those people who think their self-worth is tied up with their looks. One of my neighbors is 75 and just had the bags under his eyes removed. Unfortunately, he still looks the same. What's the point? I'm 58, and I've earned my wrinkles.
Kenny Rogers looks like a caricature of himself. Sad.
Here is yet another NON-story from msn.
The key phrase in this piece is "very rare", meaning that overwhelmingly, people do not suffer problems from fillers.
Tylenol kills 100 Americans a year and sends 53,000 to the ER for complications. And face-fillers deserve this story of caution? Oh, yeah, face-filler companies don't advertise with msn, but Tylenol does.
EVERY pharmaceutical and procedure has risks. As this story states, if you're stupid enough to let a nurse or someone you met at a party perform cosmetic procedures on you, don't complain about the outcome.
I saw nothing wrong with the gentleman's face prior to surgery, I am not sure what made him feel like he needed plastic surgery in the first place as he looked youthful enough to me.
Maybe they should test patients' skin and monitor for reactions before injecting them in such a visible place as the face! Just like you test hair bleach or hair dye on a small patch of skin, plastic surgeons should do the same before proceeding with the facial fillers, in order to prevent lawsuits and unhappy patients.
That'll teach people to be vain. I know that's insensitive, and while I'm sorry for these people's plights, they brought it on themselves because of their vanity. It stinks, but it's the facts.
It's very ridiculous that as people get older want to start looking young again, and these are some of the consequences that causes when older people want to look "young" again. What a shame...
That's a very good way to put it, dewdrop21.
It's gawd-awful enough to watch grown men (and fathers), who are suppose to be mature adults, waltzing around in public with baggy, sagging shorts, displaying their boxer short underwear, while wearing a ballcap turned to the side. As gawd-awful enough to view as it is to see some women (and mothers), who are suppose to be mature adults, parading around in low-cut, stretched to the limit spandex pants displaying a tattooed 'tramp stamp' on their lower backside. Neither has the class or a clue as to how to age gracefully and keep their dignity intact. A sorrowful sight to see indeed!
I love it ---this is first time I heard the term "tattooed tramp stamp".These women need to look at themselves and think how they will look 10--15 yrs. down the line.Those cherries on their breast will look like sour grapes.
I work in a dermatology office and we do cosmetic procedures such as Fillers and Botox. I don't think anyone should look down on people just because they want to do these types of procedures. Now instead of making drastic changes to look 10 years younger, like a face lift, people are trying to look good for their age and age "gracefully" by doing non-invasive procedures. People are quick to judge someone just because they "choose" to do these things. It's a personal choice. If a licensed provider is doing the procedure it is their moral duty to educate patients about the potential side effects. Every patient that comes to the office where I work at are completely aware of the potential risks, and it's ultimately their decision to make. I'm 30 years old and I've had both fillers and botox done. It doesn't make me look fake, it makes me look fresh and a few years younger. Just remember that it's elective and the patient should assume some responsibility. Patients should do their research on both provider and procedure.
You're thirty, for Christ's sake! You are not showing signs of aging. I'm glad you're happy with the treatments now. Write back in 15 years.
A thirty year old should NOT need fillers. I'm 46 and my lines are just starting to show. I look about ten years younger than I am and I am very proud to say I'm 46. I call it clean living. The only makeup I wear is eye makeup and I use a good moisturizer.
Michaela,
I agree. Research,research,research. If you're getting a procedure done in the back of a old Chevy van, in a parking lot behind Wal-mart. You get what you pay for.
@ michaela-2413664:
Get a real job. By the way...are you just working there for the discount?
Actually...No I'm a nurse. I also help patients by assisting providers during surgeries to remove skin cancers. Shame on me for thinking I have a real job!!
Hey Michaela: you are only 30!!! what do you want to do? look 15? you need a filler in your brain!!!! grow up!
Why anyone would put themselves at risk for any unnecessary procedure is beyond me. Too many people are concerned with their looks, and looking youthful, but inside they are miserable, selfish and unhappy. Getting Juvederm won't make you a better person--oh, right, that would take some work on their part, not just a quick fix shot.
Actually there is economic pressure because of age discrimination in hiring, promotions etc. Hence more men are undergoing the knife.
"Beauty fades - but dumb is forever."
Judge Judy
People interpret faces and judge others by what they see as clues in facial expression. But most faces have permanent characteristics which are natural and not the result of what one is feeling. People are often judged about their character and mood because of superficial facial characteristics they have no control over.
This explains why people seek plastic surgery. Not because they are vain, but to prevent the false interpretations others make of them. If people were generally deeper and less superficially judgmental of strangers they meet, there would be fewer customers of plastic surgery trying to correct nature's mistakes and stop the false judgments from others.
Thanks for the positive remark. Some of them are harsh. Thats me in the pic and it was difficult to agree to let my pics be used. Just trying to save others from the same problems I encountered.
there was nothing wrong with you but the need to stop tanning.
i dont see any bags in that photo.
There is an eye surgery procedure that is done to remove bags, filler is not the answer.
ie. Lower Lid Blepharoplasty
(But nothing is risk free; the late Jack Lemon had to have his redone for the common complication that the lid can be pulled down too far)
Eric
You are a handsome guy. I hope you can get your old looks back. So sorry you felt the need to do anything at all.
I actually though that you were quite good looking
that reminds me about that skit about Crater Putty
From what I understand there is a remarkable remedy to other problem areas besides the face readily available at fine outlets nationwide. For instance - Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Joe's Plumbing and Heating, as well as many other specialty shops offer a product known as 'Crack-Spackle'. Developed years ago by Dr. Benjamin Dover, it supposedly eliminates that unsightly blemish caused by people not being able to pull their pants up far enough to cover their backside. Just a coat or two applied over their upper fanny with a trowel, does the trick! Thereby eliminating the socially unacceptable display of their arse crack everytime they squat or bend over.
'Crack-Spackle'! . . . Don't delay! . . . Pick up a tub or two today! The general public would appreciate it! :)
Be happy with who you are.
There ya go! ^5 on that one!
People need to STOP following "phonywoods" standards on trying to find eternal youth! Embrace yourself just as God made you! The older we get, of course, we will age ......im 48 yrs old and am constantly hit on by those "30 somethings" who just dont believe that I am my "proudly" stated age! I am just beginning to get those grey strands in my hair and yes, I do eat right and exercise bla bla bla, but that notwithstanding, I have learned to embrace myself and like the person that God made me to be! My 3 newly adult children are constantly ribbing me that im nearly "half a century" and am old as dirt but they also remind me that "mom you're hot" while out in public and get the stares, offers from young men (im strictly interested in men 45 and over) and it is uncomfortable to have to turn them down but hey life is short why waste time fretting over vanity?
If you are getting stares and "offers" from young men, I don't think you have to worry about vanity yet. Most of us should be so lucky.
Eric, I really do hope that the doctors are able to correct the problems that you have suffered in an attempt to improve your already handsome face, and im sure you wont be tempted to go any further, after what you have suffered.
Keep your head up!!
I wouldn't call bags under your eyes a disfigurement, 99.9% of the population has this "disfigurement". Yes, I feel sorry for this guy and others who do stupid stuff like this, but maybe they need some work done on their common sense.
To my way of thinking - The real root of the problem does not lie on the surface, but rather a problem from within.