Horrible Lower Lip Experience - Houston, TX

Hi - I wanted to give a quick update as it's been just over a month since I had the original procedure. The top lip swelling, I would say, has completely gone away; however, after having the lower implant removed, although there is no more swelling, the lip is deflated and is still really tight and (I know it sounds weird) it still seems like I can feel the tunnel present.

I'm having a lot of back and forth on whether or not to just have the top implant removed, cut my losses, and just go for injections here on out...but I do like the fullness that the implant gives...subtle and more natural looking. Here's the issue: the left side (which was the side in which the lower implant was horribly misplaced) has now been cut open multiple times and it was stitched together so deeply and so far that this side has visible scarring and lumpiness has formed in the corners of my lips. The scarring is visible on this side and it's very concerning to me because, when I smile now, the corners of my lips do not go up like they used to and it looks odd. I have been doing the stretching vigilantly and I feel like I can open my mouth pretty widely vertically, but horizontally, the opening is much smaller than it used to be as a result of Dr. P 'tacking' it down so much, and it really just seems like he butchered me on that side. Logically, all I can think of is that one of three things is going on: 1] the top implant is also misplaced and the ends do not follow down into the corners of the mouth - rather go straight across instead of curving with the lip (when I take my hands and feel the implant - this is honestly what it feels like - as if the implant literally goes straight across - it feels like the small ends are pointing towards my cheeks not following the lip line) or the ends were cut off like the bottoms were and, either way, the corners of my lips don't pull up as a result; 2] he cut me so much more than necessary and tacked it down so much that now the corner simply cannot lift b/c it's so tied to the bottom lip; or, 3] because the bottom implant was removed, the top lip is now so much more prominent that it's affecting my ability to smile properly. I am not a doctor, so I really cannot say and need a professional opinion...I will be going back the first week of November for the good doctor to reassess my healing and to potentially get the bottom implant replaced. Based on what she thinks about the scarring, etc. I will make my final decision.

I'm really hoping that the top is okay (although I'm doubtful b/c I can feel the ends of the implants, as I said, just going straight out and not following through to the corners of my lips), and if it's not, then I just don't know what I'm going to do!

I will keep everyone posted in a month when I go back to see the good doctor again.

I have included pictures for you to see...just be aware, I had to use the 'selfie' option - so the true left side of my mouth is on the right in the pictures you see. I also included one of the removed lower implant so you can see the tapered ends cut off...they are there for a reason b/c the taper allows the implant to naturally 'feather' out into the corners - so this should never have been cut!

I am hoping that posting my bad experience with a Houston doctor may save even one person from going through what I've had to! I did my research and went to, who I thought was a reputable doctor, to receive upper and lower Permalip implants (5mm) on a Thursday...this is the first real procedure I've ever had, other than injections and fillers...so I was nervous, yet excited. I was very swollen for 3 days and, after the 4th day I could begin to see that something was wrong with my lower lip. My lower lip was extremely lopsided and you could visibly see the end of the implant at the very front of my left side. Taking your finger, you could feel the implant pushing against the front of the lip about 1/4" or so away from the corner of my mouth. It felt as if the doctor had clipped the tapered end off, and it was obviously not aligned. Then, thinking back to my consultation, he didn't even measure my lips (even though the implants come in 3 different lengths), rather said he always orders the longest size and can just clip off what isn't needed - that should've been a red flag - but it didn't click with me then.

After waiting a full week, I finally gave in and called the doctor. He proceeded to tell me that it was just swelling and that I was feeling the end of the implant which was normal (which I didn't think that I should really be able to feel against the front of my lip and thought that was odd), but come in and he would take a look. I cancelled work meetings and went in right away. When I got to the office he was visibly agitated that I was coming in and questioning things...the bedside manner was horrible...and he made me feel as if I was in the wrong even questioning him! He looked at it and said, it's just swelling, you're over-reacting. I told him I had some very important events coming up and that I could not afford to look like this. He left the room and, since he left the door slightly cracked, I could hear him out in the hall talking to the nurse or receptionist about me, very rudely stating that he'd just go in and see if he could fix it b/c he didn't want to deal with me calling him all weekend! I was shocked and infuriated, but at this time, I needed it fixed and I trusted that he'd do the right thing, seeing that his work is a reflection on him. Needless to say, he opened me back up on the left side only and messed around with the implant and sewed me back up. I went home in tears after the ordeal and was just praying to God that it would be fixed. The swelling wasn't nearly as bad this time around, and after a few days you could see there was no change at all...so I basically got cut open again for nothing!

I am telling any of you out there, you know your body, and you know when something isn't right! People at the office were asking if I was okay, and it was highly embarrassing going into meetings looking as if my mouth was lopsided. Even the way I was stitched was poor - stitches were visibly protruding out of the corners of my mouth. So, I broke down and scheduled a consultation with a doctor about an hour away from me...I should've gone to her in the first place, as I knew two people who had great experiences with her with the Permalip procedure as well as other procedures...but I let the distance get to me...you live and you learn I guess. I met with this doctor (who I will write a separate review on) and it was a night and day difference...she and her staff are so open and caring and they made me feel like my concerns were valid and really cared! The doctor talked to me over an hour in the consultation going over every possibly scenario and answering all of my questions. She measured my lips and made her recommendation that we take out the old implant and redo it.

At this point I don't ever want to see Dr. Perlman again and, although it stinks that I basically threw my money down the drain for a bad result, it's my face, and I want to go to a doctor that cares and is going to do things correctly! So, I went in last night for my replacement with the new doctor and, after reopening the sides of my mouth and removing the old implant (which, by the way, did have both of the corners cut off) because of the rawness and inflammation and how thin and ragged the tissue was because of the misplacement, etc. of the old implant, she advised that we wait a couple of months before going in to redo the lower lip. I trust her judgement, and I appreciated that she was honest with me and wants to take no chances and do the right thing for me! She and her staff were such a god send and, even though this was the 3rd time I got cut open, and we weren't able to do the new implant just yet, I walked out of the office with a renewed faith in things...not in tears like the last doctor!

I have posted pictures for you to see below, and I really hope that this helps someone out there who is contemplating this procedure. Trust yourself and I wish the best for you all out there! I would never refer anyone to Dr. Perlman!