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POSTED UNDER Botox REVIEWS

Love Botox! Will Make Sure This is Factored in my Budgets ;) - Birmingham, AL

ORIGINAL POST

I'm 48 and have had pretty deep creases in the...

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d37
WORTH IT$550
I'm 48 and have had pretty deep creases in the glabellar area for ever I think. I always looked mad :( !
January 2013 was my first injection of Botox. I had the glabella area done, loved it!!!! I noticed that around 8 weeks i had quite a bit of movement, by 10 I think all had returned.
In April I tried Dysport (glabella and forehead lines) to see if there was a difference. I noticed it took about a week for the Dyaport to begin paralysing the muscles. At 8 weeks much of my movement had returned. I liked this ok, but will tell you, I had some puffiness in my upper eye lids that gave an appearance of droopiness. It only lasted a couple weeks and then returned to normal.

It was time for injections again July 10- I asked my PS if he thought I needed Botox in my forehead he said no, so I opted to have the glabella area done. He asked if I had ever considered botox around my eyes. I had not because I'm pretty expressive and did not want to loose what makes me - me. He assured me it would look natural and only relax the deep creases and possibly lift my brows some. So, I'm the kind of girl that will try any thing once ;) and went for it.
I must say I am really liking the results! I believe these injections have been my favorite yet. After only 3 days the lines have softened considerably! I still have my expression :D sigh....
He injected the glabella area and feathered it up so the crease in my forehead also received some effects of the Botox. The area around my eyes has responded very well and are softer, more relaxed and I do not look fake (I don't think so anyways :)
I did two things differently this time round as an experienment to see if it would make the Botox work faster and hopefully last closer to 3 months.
I started taking a zinc supplement 2 weeks prior to injection and for 24 hours post injection, i did not go to the gym or do activities where I sweated alot. I'll let you know how it goes!

Happy to be me and crease free :D

d37's provider

Christopher J. Schaffer, MD

Christopher J. Schaffer, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

d37

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Replies (5)

July 15, 2013

Thank you for posting such great pictures!! I love that we can really see the before & afters effects so well.

Botox usually only lasts about 8 weeks for me too - isn't that a total bummer?! I have yet to try Dysport but have been meaning to, just to see. I'll be really interested to hear if taking the zinc makes any difference for you.

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July 15, 2013
Thank you! These are my favorite injections yet! I could not tell a real difference with dysport- it did seen like it took longer to take affect though. I had read that a zinc diff. Could cause Botox not to be as effective. I also exercise a lot- and decided not to exercise the initial 24 hours (since my face sweats tons) I also did not take my Zyrtec for the day prior and 2 days after ( thought maybe the antihistamine may interfere) I'll post and let you know if my tricks work :) Thanks again :)
July 15, 2013

I workout a lot too (well usually, I've been a little lazy lately ;) ) and have noticed others who workout a lot mention their Botox goes through their system faster. Obviously I have no idea if its related or purely a coincidence, but interesting to note none the less.

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July 15, 2013
I thought maybe the sweating right after injections may have some affect. Idk. Worth a shot lol
July 15, 2013

Definitely! Let me know what you notice! :)

UPDATED FROM d37
5 days post

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d37

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UPDATED FROM d37
5 days post

More on Botox. Nitty gritty details :O

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d37
I wanted to write some of the details of my Botox injection but not on the original posts as it would make it entirely too long.

Like I said in earlier posts I had Botox around my eyes and glabella done.

Numbing cream was offered but I opted not to use it. Mainly because to me the numbing cream works on the top layer but not so much deeper, so I still feel the injection. Not really worth the extra time to "numb up" to me.

The needle is very tiny, and the toxin does not have alot of "sting" to me. So I basically feel the little pokes. Not bad. There is one place in the glabella area, a little further down towards my nose that smarts some. But nothing like getting an antibiotic shot!!

It took maybe 7-9 minutes to complete. Pretty quick, actually.

For glabella ( between between eyes) I had to make my frowny face. Then my doctor injected areas based on my frown lines. Around my eyes, I had to clench my teeth, then relax. I barely felt the injections around my eyes - they were much easier than the other.

I had only a couple drops of blood from the injections. No swelling or bruising, I returned to wor that day after my appointment.

The day after injections I have (every time) had weird little things happen feel maybe connected to my injections, I'm not sure.

The bags under my eyes seemed a little more puffy (Clinique all about eyes, sliced cucumbers for eye pads work well to reduce the puff some) this puffiness lasted a couple days- they had the appearance my allergies are misbehaving.

I also felt a little achy for about 3 days, nothing horrible, just a little tired, slight muscle aches and a nagging baby headache- I took tylenol and it did the trick to snap me in shape!

It seemed my allergies maybe have been a little more irritated as well, but who knows, I live on the south- lots of allergens here!!

After the initial 3 days any puffiness or achy feeling had gone and I am just enjoying the results :)

Was it worth it? Definatly!!! I have reminders on my calendar to schedule my appointments ;)

Replies (16)

July 17, 2013

Too funny that you put reminders on your calendar! I was thinking the last time I was getting mine done that I should just start pre-booking my appointments. My guess is you won't really need the calendar reminders though, because if you are anything like me you'll be looking in the mirror & notice the wrinkles creeping back which will be reminder enough to make that appointment. ;)

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July 17, 2013
LOL, I seriously LIVE by my calendar :) you would not believe what's in it ;) If it needs to be remembered, it's there, lol Just had a sad, funny thought- what if i forgot to put in my reminder- all of a sudden at 6:00 am I see this monstrous crease that gets worse after applying make up-I jump I my car (with dark sunglasses) fly to my doctors office, then you see me sitting outside my PS office waiting for the doors to open. They finally open at 8:00 and tell me, sorry we can't see you today- so now I'm begging, tears streaming down my little sweet cheeks - with sad puppy dog eyes, hoping they change their mind. See, that's why I need a calendar - well, That may be a little dramatic, but it could happen, lol!
July 17, 2013

Hahaha, standing at the front desk "But I have movement, movement - help me!!" ;) Hey, at least we can laugh at ourselves!

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July 17, 2013
Lol. Yep I can see it happening. :D
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July 17, 2013
New to San Antonio :). Need Botox refresher bad! I used to go to a vein center in Denver for the injections and they charged $10/unit (I just saw a special on their website for $6!). Had 11s and crow's feet areas done and loved it. Lasted 9-10 weeks. How much are injections here and who would you recommend? So far I have found a great primary care physician who recommended a hair stylist and nail place. Moved here for my husband's job. Don't know anyone yet so I need help! Cheers! Anne
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July 17, 2013
Just noticed I posted my comment on this page and your are in Alabama! So sorry :(
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July 17, 2013
Hi Pinkdivot, bummer the other comment has not posted :( was it good? :)
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July 17, 2013
I see it below now! I am a calendar person too! My husband is a list maker... He has 3 notebooks! I am 53 and of all the aging "negatives" I despise wrinkles the most! It's my fault for smiling like a fool all the time ;)
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July 17, 2013
I see it now too! Gosh too bad you're not in Alabama- Dr S would fix you up :) ! I think most places are 10/unit - occ you can find a special. I just stick to one place special or not. I know what I'm getting. I think calendars/ lists/ reminders are the way to go especially if life is really happening around ya! :) I hope you find some one great in your area. You can find out a lot on the Internet! Hey, I smile all the time too- lines or not, I still think its better than frowning, lol. Great chatting with you! Let me know what you find out!
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July 17, 2013
Ok I posted a pic! I retired in March and when the girls who organized my official retirement party ask for a picture I realized that I either have sunglasses in my face or a drink in my hands! This is a new pic :) it's hard to start over in a new place but I have done it about 8 times in my life so I'll be ok... I love the heat and humidity of TX! Must be the same in AL?
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July 17, 2013
Congrats on retirement! I really don't see anything wrong with sunglasses and a drink I your hand- sounds pretty good actually, lol Ya, starting over is tough- but one good thing, it can turn in to a fresh start :) Yes, Alabama is humid but I love the warmth :) especially the beaches!
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July 18, 2013
Hi again! The beach sounds great! I must do with my pool until I can get to Corpus. I got a reply from a dermatologist' office: $11 a unit on Botox. I think I will give them a call and get this done ASAP! Will keep you posted :) have a great evening!
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July 20, 2013
Took the plunge yesterday and tried a med spa here in San Antonio (they had an opening). Kind of hectic in small lobby, not at all like the calm office in Denver... Friendly enough staff... RN injector was nice but was done way too fast. Did the 11s only - 25 units (in Denver it was 18 or 20 units). No pain. Now I am not sure it was the right decision to rush and go there because they had an opening... just hope my eyes don't droop! Fingers crossed!
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July 20, 2013
Awe, sorry you're feeling like that. Im sure you're going to look great!! Bright side: if you don't love it- it only lasts 8-12 weeks! :) I don't think people usually have droopy eyes with the glabella (11's) done - I think it's when you do the lines in the forehead. So maybe yours will do great! Did you take pictures of your self? If you don't love it, you have time to look around and choose a different location. I use my PS, costs are not different and I really trust him. So you may way to look into some board certified PS in the area and see what they offer. My gynecologist does Botox and laser treatments - but I just like to go to the offices where the Dr has specialized in a field. GP-for all that ales me. GYN- girly stuff. PS-making the girls look HOT, TT and esthetic needs, Etc.. Lol. Just me, not saying everyone should is just my preference.
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July 20, 2013
I took a photo right after treatment (forgot to do it before lol). Not sure how to post it... I need to find a regular dermatologist to get a prescription for Retin A so I will ask if he can do it. Someone on our neighborhood blog ( just joined 2days ago) recommended one :)
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August 5, 2013
Pinkdivot, since it's been a couple weeks since your injections, how do you like them now?