Body Fillers

Injectable treatments such as “fillers” and Botox® can effectively reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fill in spaces where the body has lost volume. These treatments are popular because they’re effective, relatively inexpensive, and minimally invasive. Body fillers are used for subtle issues that do not warrant a surgical procedure such as fat grafting, which requires a lengthier recovery time and undergoing anesthesia.

Body fillers are injected through a needle or cannula (without the need for a surgical incision) to augment the volume or change the shape of areas that you would like enhanced. It is important to note that only a small to moderate volume enhancement can be achieved with fillers, and most fillers dissolve over time.

Medical-grade injectable filler materials include biocompatible substances such as hyaluronic acid and biostimulatory products like calcium hydroxylapatite or Poly-L-Lactic acid. Hyaluronic acid fillers typically last 6 to 18 months while calcium hydroxylapatite fillers (Radiesse®) can last up to 12 to 18 months in the face and potentially longer in the body (e.g., hands) due to their collagen-stimulating effects. Poly-L-lactic acid fillers (Sculptra®) gradually improve volume over a few months and can last up to two years or more, with results often longer-lasting in the body (e.g., Sculptra® for buttocks) compared to the face.

If you are seeking more dramatic enhancements and have enough body fat, you may be a candidate for fat transfer (autologous fat grafting). In this procedure, fat is harnessed from one area of the body and redistributed to another. This can be an effective natural option when a more sizable amount of volumizing material is needed. But it is also a more involved procedure than receiving fillers. Given that the fat needs to be harvested and then grafted, a fat transfer is most commonly done under anesthesia. The procedure has been extensively used for buttock augmentation (also known as a Brazilian Butt Lift, or BBL) and breast reconstruction.

Body implants are also an alternative. These are synthetic devices that are inserted under the skin through a surgical incision in order to augment the volume of a body area, often the breasts. Implants are more permanent and significant but carry risk of more complications, such as infection, rupture, or change in position or location.

To determine which procedure makes the most sense for you, have a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon. Be sure to ask about all benefits and risks of each option.

While fillers are commonly used and generally considered safe, it is important to consider the risks of using them in various areas of your body. It is also important to choose your physician carefully and ensure they have prior experience with using fillers beyond the area of the face.

Facial fillers are more delicate than body fillers, but no matter where they are injected, it is always important for the filler to be used in the correct anatomic site as well as judiciously and artistically applied. Even when you engage an exceptional practitioner who has high success rates and low complication rates, there remain innate risks to all treatments.

Fillers can potentially compromise blood supply to the skin, if inadvertently injected into a blood vessel. The patch of skin supplied by that blood vessel can get compromised or even die and turn into a wound and, eventually, a scar. Any changes to the color or temperature of the skin in the area that was injected should be monitored closely.

A much more rare complication can result in vision loss, if the product is embolized to the arteries supplying the eye. Less worrisome side effects can include mild redness or bruising that goes away, or a small lump in the treated area that stays longer.

Before you go

Preparing for filler injections in the body, in areas such as the hands or buttocks, involves several key steps.

It is important to avoid taking blood-thinning medications or supplements like aspirin, ibuprofen, and vitamin E at least a week before the procedure to reduce the risk of bruising. Discuss any other medications you are taking or medical conditions you have with your physician.

During your consultation, ask your doctor about the expected results, potential side effects, and post-procedure care. Your physician will discuss alternative treatments, such as fat grafting or other types of fillers, to determine the best option for you. Ensure all your questions are answered so you feel confident and prepared for the procedure.

During the procedure

Receiving filler injections in the body typically takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Local anesthesia or numbing cream is applied to ensure comfort during the procedure, and most fillers also contain a numbing agent to further minimize discomfort.

Body Fillers Aftercare 

After body filler injections, you will be able to go home right away but should not exercise for 24 hours after the procedure; you should also avoid putting pressure on the area or massaging it during this time. You will usually see much of the result immediately after the injection, but it is not uncommon to have some temporary redness, bruising, or swelling.

The final result will typically be visible after a few days. Note that Poly-L-lactic acid fillers (Sculptra®) injections usually require repeated treatments and results may not be apparent for several months.

Fillers generally last from six months to two years; the time frame depends on the type and amount of filler material injected, the treated area, and how your body interacts with the material. The filler material is gradually broken down but residual product may remain for an extended period of time. If you were happy with the results, talk to your doctor about the possibility of setting up repeat injections.