Understanding Post-Procedure Complications with Facial Fillers
Subject: 29-Year-Old Female Seeking Guidance Hello everyone, I’m here to seek advice from medical experts or any individuals knowledgeable about complications following filler treatments, nerve recovery, or facial anatomy. In January 2025, I received Stylage Bi-Soft filler injections for my lips. I had those fillers dissolved twice using hyaluronidase in March 2025. I was assured that the filler had completely dissolved, and since then, I haven’t had any additional filler treatments. It’s worth noting that I have never had filler in my chin. Now, as we reach late June, I'm plagued with symptoms that are diminishing my overall quality of life. I still notice several firm, marble-like lumps in my lips. While some of these lumps are soft and moveable, others are rigid and unyielding. What concerns me the most is the presence of deep lumps in my chin area, which I can feel when I stretch my lip or apply pressure internally, despite never receiving any filler in that area. Although these lumps aren’t visible externally, they feel substantial when examined from inside my mouth. I am uncertain if this indicates migrated filler, encapsulated material, fibrous tissue, or an entirely different issue. In addition to these lumps, I’ve been experiencing continual sensations of flickering, zapping, and twitching predominantly near the outer edge of my lower lip and chin. Occasionally, I experience a sensation as if one side of my chin is being pulled downward. These flickering sensations are often accompanied by discomfort and nerve-like zaps, sensations I never encountered before the filler injections. There’s a noticeable tension that radiates from my lips to my chin, along with sporadic redness or warmth, particularly around the sites where trauma occurred on my lower lip. Additionally, the internal texture of my lips seems altered — feeling thicker, raised, or grainy. I worry that I have possibly caused damage to the collagen, fascia, or nerves in that region. I am actively attempting to facilitate my healing naturally. I’ve been taking a low dose of serrapeptase, which occasionally helps soften the area, although it appears to trigger the flickering sensations again. I've entirely ceased massaging the area, improved my diet, and reduced stress. Despite my efforts, I feel anxious and somewhat stagnant in my healing journey. I have a consultation scheduled for an ultrasound with Dr. Fahad Alam in Ontario on July 9, and I am also on a cancellation list in hopes of an earlier appointment. My main questions revolve around the nature of these deep lumps in my chin area, especially given that I have never had filler injected there. Is there a chance that the filler migrated and became encapsulated? Could this potentially be scar tissue or intertwined fascia? Is it common to perceive deeper tissue structures post-incident due to heightened nerve sensitivity? Do the twitching, flickers, and pulling sensations imply possible nerve entrapment or fascial tension? If I decide against additional dissolving procedures, is there a chance that these issues will resolve naturally over time, and if so, how long might that realistically take — weeks, months, or potentially longer? Additionally, could the Stylage Bi-Soft filler be linked to my ongoing issues, and would imaging be able to clarify whether there is any filler, fibrosis, or other abnormalities present? I deeply regret the decision to go through with the filler treatments. Right now, my focus isn’t on aesthetics but on finding relief from this pain, fear, and unusual sensations. I have never felt so emotionally distressed over what initially seemed like a minor procedure. If anyone has encountered a similar situation or worked with complications of this nature, your insights would be invaluable to me. I am open to all ideas, whether they be natural remedies, surgical options, or medical advice. Thank you for taking the time to read my post and for any support you can provide.
Answers (1)
6/25/2025, 7:40:51 AM
OpenHealth AI
I understand that you’re facing distressing symptoms following your filler treatments, and it’s normal to feel anxious when dealing with unexplained lumps and sensations. Your concerns about the firmness in your lips and chin, along with nerve-related symptoms, are valid and warrant attention.
Main Points
- The firm lumps you’re experiencing could be caused by several factors, including possible filler migration, encapsulation, or scarring.
- The twitching and flickering sensations may be related to nerve irritation or fascial changes.
- While some improvement might occur naturally over time, it's essential to have a tailored approach for management.
Explanation
Following dermal filler injections, it’s not uncommon for some individuals to experience residual lumps or changes in their tissues. This might occur due to the body’s response to the filler, which can sometimes lead to encapsulation (where the filler forms scar tissue) or migration (where the filler moves from the original injection site). The sensations you describe could indicate heightened nerve sensitivity in the area, which can happen after facial procedures.
Since you’ve experienced symptoms like flickering and discomfort that did not occur before the filler, it's possible that the nerve endings in that region might be irritated or compressed. This could lead to the sensations of pulling or tension you’re experiencing.
Next Steps
-
Continue Your Ultrasound Consultation: Focus on your upcoming ultrasound on July 9. It will help determine the nature of the lumps and assess whether there is any remaining filler or signs of fibrosis.
-
Monitor Symptoms: Keep a detailed journal of your symptoms, noting any changes in intensity, frequency, or new sensations. This will be helpful for your healthcare provider to make informed decisions.
-
Limit Stimulation: It's wise to continue avoiding massage and manipulation of the area, as this may aggravate your symptoms. Stick with your diet and stress-reduction efforts to support overall healing.
-
Discuss Treatment Options: During your ultrasound appointment, bring up your concerns about potential migration or scar tissue. Ask about non-invasive treatments that might help alleviate nerve irritation, such as physical therapy or neuromodulators, if appropriate.
-
Give it Time: While you might be feeling anxious about the future, many post-procedure symptoms can improve over weeks to months. Healing patterns vary significantly from person to person.
Closing Thoughts
Your emotional distress is completely understandable, and it’s essential to focus on your comfort and quality of life above all else. Seek support from friends or professional counseling if needed during this time as you navigate your symptoms. Please keep me posted on your progress, and feel free to reach out for more specific guidance as you learn more from your consultation.
Related Questions
Unexplained Left Chest Pain, Electric-Like Jabs in Lower Back, and Unusual Headaches
Hi there, I’m a 15-year-old experiencing some peculiar health issues lately. A visit to my doctor led to a diagnosis of anxiety and poor posture after I complained about headaches and strange, electric sensations rising through my head. However, after that appointment, I became aware of pain in my heart and strange discomfort in my left chest accompanied by difficulty breathing. Initially, I thought these symptoms aligned with anxiety, but they persisted long enough to cause concern. To rule out any serious conditions, I underwent a blood test, which fortunately came back normal. Despite the positive results, I continued to feel unusual pains in my heart region and a peculiar ache in my lower abdomen. The doctor had previously mentioned my poor posture and identified an issue with my occipital nerve, which I’ve somewhat addressed. Now, though, I find myself having intermittent back pain and brief discomfort just beneath my left lung. These pains are indeed strange; they don’t always last long, sometimes just fading after five seconds or they might stick around for several minutes. I tend to spend a lot of time in bed and don’t often leave the house, yet when I do, these pains still occur. Thankfully, they aren’t debilitating, but I can't help but feel anxious thinking something might be significantly wrong with my health. It’s unsettling and I’d prefer not to dwell on such thoughts. To summarize: I experience chest pain in my lower left quadrant, specifically near my lung, alongside a mild but uncomfortable sensation that waxes and wanes. Additionally, I suffer from headaches located on the upper left side of my head. I apologize for any grammatical errors as I used voice-to-text for this message. Another detail that might be relevant is that I have recently quit vaping, now almost 22 days ago, and I wonder if this could be part of the recovery process.
Expectorated Large Tissue with Blood
At 28 years old, I experienced a fever the previous night, after which I had no other cold symptoms. To my surprise, today I coughed just once and expelled a significant piece of tissue mixed with blood. Following this alarming incident, I sought medical attention at an urgent care facility because I developed a headache immediately afterward and felt a peculiar "butterfly" sensation in my chest. The healthcare professionals did not conduct any laboratory tests or imaging studies, instead opting to prescribe antibiotics for what they suspected might be an infection. Is this an appropriate response to my situation? This is quite concerning.
Understanding Kidney Pain: Should You Be Concerned?
As a 15-year-old assigned female at birth (AFAB), I've been dealing with acid reflux, although I've been neglecting to take any supplements. I also have scoliosis, which I doubt is linked to my current issue. Recently, I have been experiencing pain in my kidney area, specifically in my back, where my kidneys are situated. My mother suggested that this discomfort might indeed stem from my kidneys. For several months now, I haven't pinpointed the cause. I typically consume about 1 to 1.5 liters of water daily, and occasionally I drink cola, though I've reduced that due to my reflux. I sometimes have peach juice or plain tea, but those drinks have become quite infrequent. Despite my fluid intake, it seems my pain level remains consistent regardless of what I drink. The pain primarily affects my right kidney, but during more intense episodes, I also feel discomfort in my left kidney. I've tried lying down and applying gentle pressure to the area, which provides a bit of relief. Aside from occasional bladder discomfort today, I haven't experienced any additional pain that relates to my kidneys, aside from the persistent back pain from scoliosis and the usual stomach and chest pains from my reflux. Is it necessary for me to consult a doctor about this concern? 🥺 I am hesitant to go unless it's truly serious because I was hospitalized last summer due to undiagnosed tics and twitches—likely anxiety-related—and I spent the entire winter seeing doctors for this issue and my scoliosis. I’m also worried about missing school due to more medical appointments, especially since my doctor has a packed schedule, and I'm uncertain if she would prioritize my concern if it doesn't seem urgent. When I was hospitalized last summer, tests including urine and blood analysis showed no significant issues, so I'm unsure whether this warrants another visit now.
Persistent Shin Discomfort
For the past year, I have been grappling with ongoing discomfort in my shins. Despite consulting multiple physiotherapists and doctors, I have yet to find a solution to my problem. My routine has included extensive strength training targeting my hips, glutes, calves, and lower leg muscles. I've also taken steps to improve my running form and have experimented with various recovery techniques, such as foam rolling and using massage devices. No matter what I try, the pain persists, specifically on the inner side of my lower legs. Initially, I suspected that I was suffering from shin splints. However, given my varied attempts at treatment and the lack of improvement, I am starting to believe that the issue might be something different. Even mundane activities, like walking around at home, have become increasingly uncomfortable, not to mention my inability to ride a stationary bike without experiencing pain. If anyone has any insights or recommendations that could assist me in alleviating this issue, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you for your help! I'm a 20-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 70 kilograms.
Seeking Guidance on Ice Treatment Post-Surgery
I’m a 34-year-old male, weighing 158 pounds and standing 5 feet 6 inches tall. I lead a non-smoking lifestyle, consume three alcoholic drinks weekly, and do not have any known allergies. I'm currently recovering from right hand and wrist surgery, which took place five weeks ago. I need some advice regarding the use of ice for my treatment, as my wrist remains quite swollen. While I understand the advantages of icing, I find the experience quite intolerable. I attempt to immerse my hand and wrist in ice water completely, but the pain is so intense that I can barely last more than 15 seconds. Is this a challenge of mental resilience where I need to push through the discomfort for the sake of a proper 10-minute soak? In the past, I worked with racehorses, and we would apply ice to their legs for 30-minute sessions, significantly accelerating their recovery. I recognize the effectiveness of this method, yet the pain from the cold is unbearable. Should I endure this discomfort for longer periods?