Louise’s* Story – Correcting a Treatment that had gone Wrong

I had arranged to have lip filler treatment with a local nurse and was really looking forward to my appointment and to seeing the results. At my appointment however, my top lip started to go blue as soon as it was injected – and things quickly went from bad to worse. The nurse continued with the treatment and by the end of it, the whole of my lip was blue, white and blanched. I left extremely concerned and shortly afterwards received a message from the nurse saying that I may have a blocked artery and should seek help. I was very, very worried and my lip was now pure white and ice cold to touch – meaning no blood flow…

I knew I needed to speak to an expert immediately and went online to find someone close by. I called Illuminate and Dr Sophie made an instant gap in her schedule to see me, explaining that this was a medical emergency. As soon as I arrived, she confirmed the problem: my artery had become blocked with filler. She gave me Aspirin and Viagra (yes Viagra!), before injecting me every hour for 3 hours with Hyalase to dissolve the fillers to try to unblock the artery. She calmed me down and reassured me that I would be OK (her bedside manner is amazing) before settling me on a bed to rest and watch Netflix! I left the clinic later that afternoon with most of the circulation restored to my lip and a private prescription for drugs and steroids to ensure no infection/coldsore etc. could set in.

Dr Sophie asked me to return the following day and inspected the lip. She treated a small area where was unhappy with the circulation, asking me to return again over the next 2 days so she could monitor the lip and check for any tissue damage. I did this and all was well.

I later found out that Dr Sophie has also contacted the nurse who gave me the original injection to explain what had happened and educate her in emergency procedures, offering to meet with her (at no charge) to explain what had happened and why. In addition, Dr Sophie also contacted a plastic surgeon she knows just in case their services were needed, and has since contacted my dermatologist in Spain (who I see regularly,) to inform them of the situation.

I have never experienced care like this, especially at such short notice. Dr Sophie’s incredible knowledge, skill and total professionalism went above and beyond anything I could have expected and quite possibly stopped necrosis setting in and may have saved the potential loss of my top lip and even my sight, if the artery in question had been supplying my optic nerve.

I would advise anyone having any aesthetic or cosmetic procedure to always seek expert advice from an established, experienced and fully qualified doctor or practitioner – and Dr Sophie would be top of my list. Thank you.

* Not the patient’s real name.

Please note: If you are worried about any treatment you have received from another clinic or practitioner, please call us immediately and we will advise of what action we think you should take.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.

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