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“Botox Was a Nightmare for Me:(!!”

Not Worth It
Spent: $1,000 in NYC

Comments (65)

Updated 2 Sep 2009

Posted 18 Mar 2009

I am getting married in mid April and had been working with a personal trainer for the past 3 months to get me into great shape for the wedding.  She got me into amazing shape with her workouts and nutrition program. 

One day we were talking about myupcoming wedding and she mentioned that I would look great with a little Botox around my eyes for my crows feet.  Thinking it was not a big deal, I went to a doctor who I had known through a previous job.  He is a top opthamologist in NYC with great credentials - having performed thousands of Lasik procedures, member of AMA, Harvard and Columbia educated, etc.  I was a little nervous at first but felt confident that I was in good hands.  However, I had no idea of the possible potential ramifications. 

You relax the muscle in one area and that affects another - my undereye now has awful bags and wrinkles.  My crows feet are gone but under my eyes look awful!  I would rather have the crows feet than these bags and wrinkles that I currently have.  It's been several weeks so I am seeing improvements now, thank God!  I would never do this again.  I embrace my crows feet and can't wait for them to come back actually. 

I also hated the fact that initially my eyes looked frozen when I smiled - like the Joker in Batman.  When people smiile, there should be a smile in one's eyes and Botox prevents that.  You always see frozen foreheads when celebrities have Botox but you never see the bad ramifications and side effects.  Perhaps I could have had a better experience if I went to another doctor.  Who knows?  However, I was originally devastated. 

I now see a light at the end of the tunnel since the Botox is wearing off, thank God!  This website is a Godsend.  I have turned to it everyday since I've been unhappy with my results.  Thanks Realself.com!

I was the victim of a bad Botox job (too much in the wrong places.) I had some in the crows feet area and some under the lash line of both eyes (which I know was a big mistake on the part of the doctor.) Anyway, from my research, I see that the Botox under the lashes can cause cheek ptosis, which I believe I have now. I also have new bags under my eyes that I never had before the Botox. Are these issues that will resolve themselves over time? It is almost 6 months since the Botox and I know it hasn't fully worn off yet since I still feel a bit of tugging near my eyes when I squint. I am so unhappy having gotten Botox. I only did it as it was recommended by someone else for my wedding, and it's been a nightmare ever since. I am now considering lower lid bleph surgery to remove the new major bags I have due to the Botox. I KNOW they weren't there before I had this Botox disaster happen to me. Is the cheek ptosis something that will resolve itself once the muscle comes back around my eyes (under eyes and on side of eyes.) Please let me know. I am a 36 year old healthy slim woman with no prior wrinkles or bags. Thanks!

This review is the subjective opinion of a RealSelf member and not of RealSelf, Inc.

Helpful review?

My Doctor:

My rating:

Great for Lasik I've heard, but wouldn't go to him for Botox. Also, he charged me $100 to ask him questions after my procedure.

Comments (65)

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Penelope 18 Mar 2009
I just read your review and it touched me. It has been such a gift getting to know you through this crazy ordeal. You and I both have a totally new outlook on aging. My wrinkles, lines, and creases are a testament to who I am - I am a person who LOVES to laugh and to smile. I must be really happy because I've got the lines to show for it. And I can not wait until they come back. I want to smile again and not scare myself!
Amaxy 19 Mar 2009
Thanks Penelope! You too! This site has been my savior throughout this terrible ordeal. Just think, it could have been worse! This whole thing could have been permanent!! Aagghhh!! How's your progress by the way? I'm pretty sure I'm finally seeing more movement. Yeay! Not back to normal yet, but getting there. Don't look in the mirror every few hours like I do. It will drive you crazy!:) We should be improving about 1% a day. Best, Amy
Penelope 21 Mar 2009
Hello Amy! Well, I am feeling a little sad again because I just want my face back, crows feet and all. While the area is definitely "thawing out" as Sheri put it so well, I still do not have my smile back and my eyes don't smile. However, it is definitely improving and my friend commented last night that my face looks less frozen. So I must be patient, and sometimes that's difficult. Overall I feel hopeful so that is good. As Tom Petty says, "the waiting is the hardest part." Thank you for sharing your journey with me.
Amaxy 21 Mar 2009
Hi Penelope, I agree! The waiting is so difficult. Every time I look in the mirror, I think about the mistake I made in having Botox. But we have to try and be forgiving I guess. Let's definitely continue to support each other through this website. I definitely see the smile in my eyes returning. I squint all the time every day hoping that I'll feel less tugging from the inside. I just hate it!!! Hang in there!! Best, Amy
jamit30 22 Mar 2009
Hi Penelope, How long did it take for you to notice that it was going away? I have the same problem. I have 2 weddings and 2 vacations coming up and do not want to take any pictures....
C. Clarke RPA-c 18 Mar 2009
My sentiments exactly, however sometimes deeper and longer lines and wrinkles are more of a testament to external damage to the skin from the sun; uvA&B, smoke, make-up etc than it is to the way we feel about life. Many more people have great results than ones who experienced bad results and your fear is justified but not necessarily should lead to a deterrent due to poor technique from a medical provider. Hi Amaxy, sorry for you experience. For the lines about your eyes after the initial botox treatment, typically injecting up to mid way (mid pupillary line)below the eye will catch some of the muscle fibers that pull on this area. When I treat crows feet I make sure that I cover this region as well. If for example you do have some volume loss to the cheek area (mid-face) then the mid-face should also be treated with a dermal filler (Juvederm / Restylane / Radiesse). If you knew this you may not have treated the crow feet of you may have opt to also treat the mid-face as well. We all grow older but we can control how we do it today with the use of regular exercise, a proper healthy diet plan and preventative aesthetic measures to maintain our looks. Using moisturizers, make-up, acne or anti-blemishing products is just another method using chemical means to keep our youthful, healthy look and appearance. Using botox or dermal fillers are a more invasive way to do the same so neither should be put down because of poor results. Brush off this bad experience and treat again but be sure of the credentials and more importantly the CME advance courses that your medical provider (MD, Pa or NP)have taken and when was the last time they did. This is a growing sub-specialty and many practitioners attempt more advance procedures without proper training, especially if they use these products between their other specialty patients or after hours etc. This like plastic surgery is more of an art and treating regularly is imperative to capture the true knowledge of the product effects and side effects.
Amaxy 19 Mar 2009
Hi, Thanks for your comments. I actually did Juvederm Ultra after the Botox and it looked terrible. I had ridges and I hated the feeling. I just couldn't get used to it. I think I'll probably stay away from all this stuff and try and age gracefully. Thanks again for your input! I'm sure this stuff is great for some, but just not for me:) Best, Amy
Penelope 21 Mar 2009
I raise a glass to your comment re: aging gracefully. Here here and Cheers!! This has been such a good lesson and I am so glad it turned out this way. There is still a bit of fear - fear that my face won't return to it's former state. I must remain positive. You guys are helping me with that so thank you!!!
Penelope 21 Mar 2009
Thank you, C.Clark, for sharing your expertise. I know it is not permanent and I know that I have not irreversibly altered/damaged the musculature of my face.....or have I? I still worry that my face will not go back to its former state. Can you ease my worry? I know Amaxy and Beth F. are in the same boat as I.
Beth F 21 Mar 2009
Hi Penelope sorry to hear you are feeling sad again, I know how you feel I go through that too, I try to stay positive and talking to you guys helps so much, but I have days too, where I am in despair, not only fearing that my face won't go back to normal but that I more or less did this to myself by being so stupid to get it done in the first place!! I look in the mirror at the protuding bags I have due to this and wonder how on earth they will correct themselves that's when I start to feel really sad, as we don't really know if it will all go back to normal, only time will tell...but getting there seems like an uphill struggle, I hope you are feeling better soon xx
Amaxy 21 Mar 2009
Beth F, Exactly!! I so echo all of your sentiments. We brought this on ourselves which is the worst part of it. But, I really think that once the muscles that cause the crows feet return, we won't have these protruding bags anymore because the muscle will be holding them back again. We are recovering at least 1% every day, so keep that in mind! Just be good to your body and try and stay positive. It's unfortunate that we had this bad experience, but let's just try our hardest to get past it:) Best, Amy
truecolors 24 Mar 2009
Dear C. Clarke, What CME advanced courses do you believe a physician should have taken in order to be properly trained in administering Botox?
C. Clarke RPA-c 25 Mar 2009
First after having a sound knowledge of the muscular and nervous system, there are a few; 1-Injector training for botox and dermal fillers. 2-Advanced facial contouring. 3- Advanced techniques for cosmetic in-office procedures. There are a select group of trainers who schedule the courses around the country however your real training comes with experience. These courses say that you were taught the right way to inject along with some demonstrations (hands on) and that is all. You should really seek out someone who has been injecting for at least a few years and can show you their before and after pictures (not internet photos or photos after make-up was applied - glamor shots).
C. Clarke RPA-c 25 Mar 2009
Hi Penelope, I have actually not ever seen any permanent disfigurement of the face following cosmetic injectable treatment of a temporary filler done by a trained, licensed medical provider. This is the reason why I do not advocate placing any dermal products in the face that are permanent. And again, don't be discouraged. Treat with another medical provider. Stick to the temporary products, please!!!
Penelope 25 Mar 2009
This is an excellent question. I look forward to your response, C. Clarke. Please share with us.
Penelope 25 Mar 2009
Thank you so very much, C. Clarke, for taking the time to respond to my specific question. The crow's feet area is coming back to life and it no longer feels thick and heavy. I received my injections on 2/7. I've never had botox before and I've heard/read that first injections wear off pretty quickly. Is this true? It is difficult not to be discouraged when I look at my face. I just want my smile back, wrinkles and all. I wonder if I should have done rejuviderm or some type of chemical peel rather than Botox for this?
Penelope 25 Mar 2009
This is extremely helpful info. C. Clarke. I sure wish I'd consulted you from the very beginning.....
C. Clarke RPA-c 26 Mar 2009
HI again, my pleasure to discuss these matters. Botox is Type A-hall strain Botulinum toxin. It is the most potent of 7 strains (A,B,C1,D,E,F&G). Once injected it attached onto the nerve cell and is absorbed and makes it way to the area of the cell that utilizes a calcium mediated gate that releases Acetylcholine. (Acetylcholine is use by muscles to contract). Relaxation or paralysis occurs because of this block in Acetylcholine release (and a few other cleaving processes). Within a few days the cells attempt to reorganize to compensate but this action but this is almost negligible for muscle contraction. Within 2 and a half -3 months, release of Acetylcholine will resume gradually allowing the muscles to contract and grow stronger. At this point you should re-administer Botox to keep the muscle weak thus allowing the wrinkled lines to repair themselves due to a lack of creasing from muscle activity. Injections should be spaced out a minimum of 3 months and no sooner to prevent your body from forming antibodies to the protein( botulinum toxin A). If formed, then the subsequent Botox injections may not work effectively or not at all. If Botox was used for pain relief or glandular hypersecretion (increased sweating) the effects may last longer than 3-4 months, in some cases up to 9+ months. Botox has been used for over 50 years and for this reason, I believe it is a very safe drug. By the way other toxins used to treat illness are bee venom and snake venoms. Unfortunate effects such as drooping eyes or mouth are generally caused by poor technique or inexperienced practitioners, however no one is perfect and mistakes can always happen. That being said, don't be afraid to try again. Most of our lines and wrinkles are due to external factors and not graceful aging. Look younger, stay stronger and carry yourself as proper and pristine as physically and chemically possible. I do.
truecolors 26 Mar 2009
Dear Amy, No, NONE of your 'brought this on yourselves,' you were just unlucky. Don't punish yourselves with guilt over something that isn't your fault--you didn't do anything that other people haven't done in the name of 'looking better.' It's unfortunate that there are so many unskilled and reckless doctors out there. How can we possibly be expected to know this? We're taught to trust doctors! I'm thankful for this website, and grateful to all of you who are willing to share your stories here.
Gladys Cruz 28 Mar 2009
I agree with the doctor. I just had Botox applications and I also had my own fat injected into the lines that go from my nose to below my mouth. The results have being excellent. Everyone tells me how pretty I look but they tell what I had done. of course, these procedures were done by an experience plastic surgeon, my cousin. By the way I'm 49 yrs old and people think I'm around 35 yrs old. I take care of myself and I put my face under experienced hands (a plastic surgeon).
Mari1978 21 Mar 2009
Hey ladies, going through a similiar situation -- do not love this botox at all. How lomg before you started "thawing out?" here's to being beautiful and natural -- with wrinkles and all
Amaxy 22 Mar 2009
Hi Mari, Sorry to hear about your bad experience. It's awful isn't it??? I started seeing a 'thawing out' about 6 weeks into it...thank God! However, still waiting for crow's feet to come back. I pray every day that they do come back sooner rather than later since it's definitely causing sagging and bags under my eyes. I am however seeing small improvements every day, so hang in there! Best, Amy
Penelope 23 Mar 2009
Hello Mari, I got my injections 2/7. Around 3/14 I noticed a big improvement. My smile is coming back!!! Sometimes it is so hard, though, when I look in the mirror and I see this stranger looking back at me. Sometimes it is hard not to get depressed and beat myself up for having done this to myself. I've found so much support on this website from Amy, Beth F., and Sheri. Love you guys and thank you so much. And I totally TOTALLY echo your sentiments: "here's to being beautiful and natural - with wrinkles and all." Amen sister!
Amaxy 23 Mar 2009
Penelope, Are you seeing any actual crows feet yet??? Keep me posted:) Best, Amy
Penelope 25 Mar 2009
I am seeing the very very early beginnings of my wonderful crow's feet!!! It is hard to stay patient, however, and to keep a positive outlook. I still worry a bit that my face will never return to normal. But I must not dwell on those fears.

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