Soft Tissue Augmentation & Fillers (Radiesse)

Soft tissue fillers Surgery Costs*

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons quoted the national average for soft tissue fillers are approximately $856; depending on the area. If you are considering having soft tissue fillers but want to explore more about the financing options available before you make your decision, PLEASE CLICK HERE. You can discuss your financial options with your soft tissue fillers doctor, and find out if there are any loans of flexi-payment plans available to you.

Am I a candidate for soft tissue fillers?

You may be a suitable candidate for soft tissue fillers if:

1. You are physically healthy 
2. You don’t smoke
3. You have realistic goals in mind for the improvement of your appearance
4. You are having soft tissue fillers to please yourself, not someone else.

What is a soft tissue fillers Procedure?

Soft tissue fillers (the procedure is also known as soft tissue augmentation) are flexible substances that can be injected into the skin to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, plump lips, fill hollow cheeks, repair facial imperfections, improve scars, and fill in deep folds. The result is a smoother, more youthful appearance with minimal downtime.

The appearance of our faces changes as time goes by, due to deterioration of the underlying collagen, hyaluronic acid, fat stores and elastin fibers in the deeper layers of the skin. This causes lines and wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, cheeks, jaw line, brow, and bridge of the nose, producing crow’s feet, laughter lines, folds and furrows on the face. Soft tissue fillers fill in and contour these signs of aging. Soft tissue fillers are sold under the brand names Restylane, Hylaform, Juvederm, Radiesse and Sculptra.

Fillers can also be injected into the lips to create a fuller, more youthful look, or in the hollows of the cheeks. Facial scarring from acne or injury also responds well to soft tissue filler techniques.

Dermatologists use a variety of soft tissue fillers to treat patients, and these include:

1. Human collagen
2. Bovine collagen
3. Calcium hydroxylapatite (the main ingredient in Radiesse)
4. Hyaluronic acid
5. Autologous (your own) fat
6. Donor tissue
7. Implants 

Soft tissue fillers Surgery Procedure Steps

Injections are usually given in a doctors office. Before beginning treatment, a skin test may be administered to determine if you are likely to have an allergic reaction to the filling substance, though this depends on the soft tissue filler substance being used.

Step 1 - Preparation and anesthesia

1. The face is cleaned and a topical or local anesthetic may be used.

1. The soft tissue filler is injected directly into the area to be treated using a very small needle. You may feel a stinging or burning sensation as the filler is inserted.

1. The results will be immediately apparent. Makeup can be applied immediately after the treatment.

Soft tissue fillers Recovery and Healing Steps

Any swelling, bruising, numbness or redness that you experience after injection with soft tissue fillers can be alleviated with topical icing and will improve within a matter of hours or just a few days. (If fat has been injected, this may last for a few weeks).

Soft tissue filler recovery times are very short and you should be able to return to your normal activities immediately.

Soft tissue fillers Side Effects and Surgery Risks

The results of soft tissue augmentation using injectable fillers are immediately obvious. After your soft tissue filler treatment, soft tissue filler side effects may include:

1. Mild swelling or bruising
2. Temporary numbness or redness
3. An "over-filled" appearance to treated areas

1. Shifting or clumping of the filler material - surgical removal may be necessary to correct these lumps or nodules
2. Infection at the injection site
3. Acne-like skin eruptions
4. Asymmetry
5. Bleeding
6. Filler material may migrate from the original site and produce temporary paralysis of other muscle groups or other unintended effects
7. Skin necrosis (skin death)
8. Skin rash and/or itching
9. Skin sensitivity
10. Under or over correction of wrinkles

Questions to Ask a Surgeon About a soft tissue fillers procedure

Knowledge is power so arm yourself with the facts before making any decision about soft tissue fillers. Here is an essential checklist to help you find the right Perfect Yourself Surgeon.

1. Am I a good candidate for soft tissue fillers?
2. Are my described expectations realistic?
3. Where is the soft tissue fillers performed?
4. How long will the procedure take?
5. What kind of anesthesia is used?
6. What is your experience in performing soft tissue fillers?
7. Can I see your qualifications?
8. Ask to see any soft tissue fillers before and after photographs of recent treatments?
9. What percentages of your soft tissue fillers patients have had significant post-treatment complications? (surgeons should disclose this information to you)
10. Who will be assisting my surgery? Can I see their qualifications?
11. How much will my soft tissue fillers cost?
12. Do you offer patient financing? (Flexible payment schemes for your surgery)
13. Will you repeat/correct procedures if the agreed goals are not met? If this is the case, will I be charged again?
14. Ask to observe the exact procedure you are considering before you decided to have a treatment if you are unsure (this could be on videotape or in real life).
15. What is the recovery and healing period for soft tissue fillers? When can I resume full normal activity?
16. Have you ever had your malpractice insurance coverage denied, revoked, suspended?
17. Ask for and follow up on patient references (these can be invaluable to finding out what your surgeon is really like and the level of customer satisfaction he/she has received in the past)