Juvederm To Submalar Area (Plus Botox and Restylane)

I was thrilled to get a touch up with Dr. Jonathan Hoenig in Beverly Hills today.   I am healing from my double layer 8% TCA peel so I look icky, but at least I just had my hair done yesterday, so I am hoping to look human again pretty soon.  I lost a few lb. I am so thankful to be able to pull myself out of this “rut” and get back into high gear

I wasn’t completely sure what I needed, so he advised he would examine my face and see what I had going on once I got there.  I knew I wanted lips and n/l’s for sure and Botox.  Of course I always want more cheeks, I just don’t think the Radiesse Cheek Augmentation did as much as I expected it would.  But then again, it has been over a year!  What did I expect?  And still, something needs to be done with my under eyes.  I feel old.

Read more…

http://yestheyrefake.net/journals/juvederm_submalar.htm

8% TCA Peel From Make-up Artist’s Choice (MUAC)

I had prepped with Retin A (applied over cetaphil lotion so it’s not as harsh) for a week and then waited a few days.  I barely peel with that regimen so my skin wasn’t inflamed after the delay.  Then I washed my face with Cetaphil (twice, lol) and applied the 8% TCA solution only once.  I waited 5 minutes and neutralized, used the green tea soap, blotted my face, then waited until my skin was dry and then applied triple antibiotic cream.  I did have frosting almost immediately in two areas: one spot on my cheek which had hyperpigmented after too much exfoliation with this mini sandpaper-like exfoliator 2 months ago, I DO NOT recommend doing that!  And a small spot on the side of my nose that was from a left over break out I support. That spot did peel from the Retin A and I thought it was well healed, well the TCA showed me it was not. I simply neutralized those 2 areas immediately as instructed but left the rest on my face the full 5 minutes. This morning my skin was tight so I washed my face again with teh green tea soap, dried and then applied the triple antibiotic cream. I don’t look at all like I have had a peel, other than the tightness which is temporary until I apply a cream. It feels a little like windburn if I stretch my face or yawn. But that’s it. I expect to peel within 3 days.  I want to be finished peeling by Wed! *crossing fingers* Then I will wait 2-3 weeks and do another peel.

Update: I was completely finished peeling by Day 5 and my skin does look a lot better.  I still have spots to peel (hyperpigmentation from past breakouts).

I hope to do another one soon

Juvederm To Submalar Area, Restylane to Lips & Botox to Forehead, Glabella & Crow’s Feet

Juvederm To Submalar Area, Restylane to Lips & Botox to Forehead, Glabella & Crow’s Feet

*Firstly, I apologize for not having any before and afters.  I had sent the topical anesthetic pic to a friend, so that is why I have it.  But unfortunately my phone was stolen before I had a chance to remove the other pics off of it for my journal.

I was thrilled to get a touch up with Dr. Jonathan Hoeing in Beverly Hills today.   I am healing from my double layer 8% TCA peel so I look icky, but at least I just had my hair done yesterday, so I am hoping to look human again pretty soon.  I lost a few pounds.  I am so thankful to be able to pull myself out of this “rut” and get back into high gear

I wasn’t completely sure what I needed, so he advised he would examine my face and see what I had going on once I got there.  I knew I wanted lips and n/l’s for sure and Botox.  Of course I always want more cheeks, I just don’t think the Radiesse Cheek Augmentation did as much as I expected it would.  But then again, it has been over a year!  What did I expect?  And still, something needs to be done with my under eyes.  I feel old.  I had to work an event the weekend before and had two people say that I looked “different” since the last time they saw me just a few months ago.  Bleh.  And I got ma’amed 4 times in one day, lol.  Why don’t they just put me out to pasture, right?  Whatever.

I got to my appointment and he looked over my face and the first thing Dr. Hoenig said was, “You need to gain weight.”  
“No way!” I exclaimed.
He then proceeded to suggest I have my submalar area injected, lol. 
“Don’t you think I need more cheeks?”  I told him.
“You wouldn’t have any cheeks if it weren’t for me.”  said Dr. Hoenig.
*gasp!* “Not so!” I told him.  I pride myself on the fact that I have good cheek bones.  Don’t take my ONE plus I still have away from me, hehe!

I was apprehensive about injecting the submalar are but the more I looked, the more gaunt I really did appear.  I agreed.  Even Danya, agreed and I always listen to her.  So Dr. Hoenig applied some topical anesthetic and I waited for it to take effect.

He didn’t inject Restylane under my eyes.  He also didn’t inject anything into my nasolabials.  Dr. Hoenig said that he feels that unless they are deep, injecting that area to look flat causes the area between the upper lip and nose to look elongated which tends to age the face. *drat*

It must be Conservative Day , because this is what I wound up with:
Juvederm: 1 cc Juvederm in the submalar area, feathered to the malar area.  It actually looks better.  I have always been reluctant to get this area injected but I needed it.  I concede. (* had originally had posted that I had .8 Juve, but that was incorrect)

Restylane: 0.3 cc Restylane in my lips.   Bummer, I wanted more, lol.  He just did the cupid’s bow and a little touch to the center of my bottom lip.  I really wanted bigger lips, but he said “NO sausage lips.”    So I look natural.  Yay.  But it really does look natural, which is good. 

Botox: 25 units of Botox to forehead, glabella and only a touch to crow’s feet. Last year when I had my Radiesse, I had 54 units total.  I only got 25 units this time but it lasted until late March (2011). Really!

My Recovery
I bruised from everything!  From the Botox, the Restylane to my lips and I had some bruising in the cheek area from the Juvederm.  Plus, I was SUPER sensitive even with topical anteshetic.  It was very odd.  It’s not normal for me and Dr Hoenig was very surprised as well.  Even with a nerve block to the lip area I still felt the philtrum injections.  I am getting ready to “start” so I am always so super-sensitive beforehand.  I also think that I am anemic again so there ya go.  I have not drank anything lately so it was quite a shock to get bruising.

I still only have slight flaking left over from double layer 8% TCA, waiting another 2 weeks to do peel #2.   The peel really made the past blemishes and hyperigmentations dark this time.   I look like a hag right now.  But the TCA should help my complexion once it heals.

I am thinking about getting laser under my eyes, or the 35% in-office peel, but after the holidays.  He said my piddly 8% peels will do nothing like his 35% will.   I wonder what he thinks about the Vi peel.  I will have to ask next time I go.
Dr Hoenig had commented on a visible superficial vein under my eye that makes it look icky as well.  Aging SUCKS.
Conclusion
I really like the submalar injections.   It did make my face look more filled out and I was so against it for so long, haha.  I know it is difficult to judge how much you should have, as a patient, which is why I need to trust my doctor.  I redeemed myself of any doubt and sent  Thank You card to the office and commented that they told me so and that I shall never doubt him again.

To Tell or Not to Tell?

Every time someone asks my opinion on if they should tell a spouse, employer, friend, or child about their decision to have plastic surgery, my answer is always the same.   This is a very personal decision that must be made on your own. For some, it is a decision made with much thought; for others it is simply a matter of when to tell.  The question you have to ask yourself is what type of person are you?

Questions You Should Ask Yourself:

1. Are you the type of person who is easily hurt by the judgmental comments of others?
2. Are you afraid of the ramifications of your elective surgery and how they can affect your personal life if undesirables find out?
3. Are you afraid that the news of your surgery may affect your job?
4. Are you concerned that your significant other may be upset with you should you decide to have a cosmetic surgery procedure?
5. Are you “thin-skinned” and concerned what others may think of you should they find out you have had a cosmetic procedure?

If you have said yes to any of the above, careful consideration should be made in determining who you should confide in, or if you should at all.   However, I do not suggest going this alone.  I feel that one needs a support structure for optimal healing.   During the healing period, highs and lows are to be expected and without a support structure (even a solitary friend who can be there for you), the lows can dip right into the deep end. Of course depending upon what type of procedure you have can determine if you will be able to keep it a secret at all. If you have a total makeover or considerable facial plastic surgery—it may be obvious.  You are under no obligation to tell anyone about your plastic surgery procedures. 

As for keeping your surgery news from your significant other, I do not condone this, but this is also not my decision.  I feel that if you must keep major events such as these from a loved one, then you are indeed betraying their trust to a certain degree.   In the event that something should happen, your significant other will need to know where you are and what you have gone through to help you.  If they find out after the fact, they may be very upset.  I know many believe that asking forgiveness is easier than asking permission, but I assure you, it may not be that easy if it is a spouse!

Keeping the rumor mill quiet at your place of employment can be a real challenge.  Everyone knows their coworkers love good gossip, especially when it comes to cosmetic surgery.  If you can take off at least two weeks of vacation time, this can help immensely but like I said, significant changes in facial features are hard to disguise with a simple change of hair color or haircut. Be prepared to be asked questions, even inappropriate ones.  Just know that a peaceful, non-threatening and comfortable workplace is your right, as well as your right to retain personal privacy without the onslaught of harassment by anyone for any reason.  If you ever feel uncomfortable as several of our forum members have, you have every right to demand respect and privacy. Don’t let anyone bully you into talking, or harass you constantly about, “I know you’ve had [this or that] done. Admit it!”  This is your body, not someone’s gossip fodder. Take a stand.

If you choose to tell, do so without fear of judgment. Make a point to be proud and show no fear.  Those who are jealous often react and prey upon our fears, so give them a smile and keep your chin up.

Telling children can be a different matter entirely.  They are going to notice eventually, don’t ever think a child is unobservant, they notice everything eventually even if they don’t come out and say it. It is obviously your choice to tell your child, but being matter of fact can be a good way to handle the situation.  Making it a huge deal with invoke curiosity and chatter, being nonchalant about it may not trigger much interest. So the amount of interest you wish you invoke is largely dependent upon the child’s age and personality.   You know your child best, you will figure it out.  Perhaps join the ladies on the Tummy Tuck forum , as they have had a lot of experience confiding in their children about their procedure.

If you have any great stories (or not so great stories) about how you let everyone know, or not know, or if you were “outed” by a friend, please post!