POSTED UNDER Voluma REVIEWS
Voluma, Juvederm Ultra Plus and Botox For My Tired/ Mad Face. - Solana Beach, CA
ORIGINAL POST
I never, ever thought I would do anything to my...
WORTH IT$3,100
I never, ever thought I would do anything to my face. Then came middle age. Gamechanger. I work in the corporate world, which can be very unforgiving to us women as we age. I was born with a tired/mad face that I inherited from many generations of women in my family, and it has gotten worse with volume loss. (Doc said people refer to this as "resting b*tch face" which is so very apt.) I was also cursed with a down-turned smile, which I had hoped could be corrected too. I have pale, ruddy and thin skin.
Almost had this done at a Medi-spa, but several signs along the way led me to realize that I needed to go to a true expert. Did my research and found Dr. Palm, which was a blessing. Watching her videos on YouTube and reading her reviews reassured me that she was the Doc for me. Her education and training are top notch.
I was really impressed with everyone at this office. They were all kind and professional. I was seen promptly, and was guided every step of the way. Doc carefully and patiently spoke with me before the procedure, and after studying my face and asking me about my concerns, we decided on Voluma, Juvederm Ultra Plus, and botox. (I had gone in knowing I likely wanted Voluma and Botox). Dr. Palm really took to heart my wishes not to do anything that would be too noticeable right out of the gate. I did not want to look like one of those "blowfish" faces. I would rather have no perceptible results than to have people know immediately that I had "work done". She was happy to accommodate my wishes and clearly hit the mark. She also noted lesser volume on one side of my face, and worked to incorporate a solution into my treatment.
I was given a topical numbing cream, and about 30 minutes later, the injections began. The fillers have more lidocaine in them as well. Doc kindly informed me of every step, and what to expect, which was very comforting. (I was anxious). Although you can definitely feel the needle pricks, it was completely do-able. Doc also started working on my down-turned smile. All in all, I think I was done in less than an hour. I went on to have dinner with a friend immediately following the procedure. My experience at this practice was nothing less than stellar. Every team member was awesome.
My face was sore/tender for the first 3 days, and I did have some bruising that popped up intermittently in different spots, but I tend to bleed and have a low platelet count, so this was not surprising. I had some mild swelling, not noticeable to anyone but me. I also felt like I was getting ready to come down with the flu for the next 2 days, but it did not impact my activities, just felt a little "iffy". I think this might have been a typical reaction to botox. I was not impacted in any other way, and did my regular activities all weekend. One day after the procedure, I could see a benefit, and felt happy with the results.
Doc recommended that we try Sculptra on the next round, and also recommended Ultherapy. I am booked for my next visit, and will start slow with the Sculptra first.
I really believe that you get what you pay for, and when it comes to your face (or any other part of your body) you should go to the expert, which in my case, was Dr. Melanie Palm. She is highly trained (and in fact is a trainer) and knows what she is doing. Save up and go to the expert. I highly recommend this practice to anyone.
Almost had this done at a Medi-spa, but several signs along the way led me to realize that I needed to go to a true expert. Did my research and found Dr. Palm, which was a blessing. Watching her videos on YouTube and reading her reviews reassured me that she was the Doc for me. Her education and training are top notch.
I was really impressed with everyone at this office. They were all kind and professional. I was seen promptly, and was guided every step of the way. Doc carefully and patiently spoke with me before the procedure, and after studying my face and asking me about my concerns, we decided on Voluma, Juvederm Ultra Plus, and botox. (I had gone in knowing I likely wanted Voluma and Botox). Dr. Palm really took to heart my wishes not to do anything that would be too noticeable right out of the gate. I did not want to look like one of those "blowfish" faces. I would rather have no perceptible results than to have people know immediately that I had "work done". She was happy to accommodate my wishes and clearly hit the mark. She also noted lesser volume on one side of my face, and worked to incorporate a solution into my treatment.
I was given a topical numbing cream, and about 30 minutes later, the injections began. The fillers have more lidocaine in them as well. Doc kindly informed me of every step, and what to expect, which was very comforting. (I was anxious). Although you can definitely feel the needle pricks, it was completely do-able. Doc also started working on my down-turned smile. All in all, I think I was done in less than an hour. I went on to have dinner with a friend immediately following the procedure. My experience at this practice was nothing less than stellar. Every team member was awesome.
My face was sore/tender for the first 3 days, and I did have some bruising that popped up intermittently in different spots, but I tend to bleed and have a low platelet count, so this was not surprising. I had some mild swelling, not noticeable to anyone but me. I also felt like I was getting ready to come down with the flu for the next 2 days, but it did not impact my activities, just felt a little "iffy". I think this might have been a typical reaction to botox. I was not impacted in any other way, and did my regular activities all weekend. One day after the procedure, I could see a benefit, and felt happy with the results.
Doc recommended that we try Sculptra on the next round, and also recommended Ultherapy. I am booked for my next visit, and will start slow with the Sculptra first.
I really believe that you get what you pay for, and when it comes to your face (or any other part of your body) you should go to the expert, which in my case, was Dr. Melanie Palm. She is highly trained (and in fact is a trainer) and knows what she is doing. Save up and go to the expert. I highly recommend this practice to anyone.
MargareteZelle's provider
UPDATED FROM MargareteZelle
9 days post
Update on my flu-like symptoms...
I am happy to say that after 10 days post treatment, I am starting to feel better. It could have been anecdotal, and I could have actually been fighting the flu but I was just not feeling well. I do still have some bruises visible on my face, but I do bruise really easily, so I was not surprised by this. Stay tuned!
Replies (5)
March 24, 2014
Thanks so much for sharing on RealSelf. Did your friend notice anything about your face looking different when you went to dinner right after your injections? Some people report flu-like symptoms after Botox, but like you said maybe you really were fighting something off. No way to know for sure. Glad the experience has been positive for you so far. Keep us posted on how long everything lasts, and what you think of the Sculptra and Ultherapy if you go through with those. Welcome to the Community :)
April 2, 2014
The friend that I went to dinner with was aware of my "treatment", but she thought I looked fine. No one at work noticed anything at all, and I usually attend many up-close meetings each day, so I consider that a good thing. I will probably move very slowly with the Sculptra as well, since I really don't want anything perceptible right out of the gate.
April 2, 2014
Good call. You can always try a temporary HA filler like Juvederm or Restylane before committing to a more permanent one like Sculptra, that way you can see what it will look like. It will still last up to a year, but if you don't like it at least it will go away.
April 10, 2014
I'm looking forward to seeing Dr. Palm for the next subtle round. Getting ready for vacation, so I want to come home looking subtly refreshed.
March 25, 2014
Thanks for the review! I, too, am going to have Voluma injected soon. I found a provider here who has been trained in the Eight Point Lift. Ironically, she is one I've been to in the past for Botox. I'm happy you're please with your results. I'm sure I'll bruise like crazy myself. I just had my lips done yesterday and a bit of Botox and I have a lot of bruising from the lips and a bit from the Botox. I bruise much more easily than I used to. Age? lol. Anyway, thanks for the review!
UPDATED FROM MargareteZelle
18 days post
Update 3 weeks out
I am really happy with Dr. Palm's work. And they have been spot-on with all the guidance, and I am feeling great. The results were very subtle, just as I requested. I can see a difference in the overall quality of my skin, and my wrinkles are diminished, but the work does not look "obvious", I just look refreshed.
Replies (5)
April 2, 2014
That's great! Im going Friday. How many syringes did you have? Thank you!
April 10, 2014
I think I had 2 syringes of Voluma, 2 syringes of Juvederm Ultra Plus, and 42 units of botox. When I go in next week, I will likely only get 1 syringe of the Sculptra, and a tad more botox. I want to go slowly.
April 10, 2014
Thanks for the update. I've thought about sculptra many times but still afraid. Lol. I can have all kinds of PS, but something like that scares me. Silly, I know. Mine went well- I had two syringes of Voluma and a syringe of Juvederm for my nasolabial fold and my chin. And I was right-lots of bruising, but that's just me. I'm going back tomorrow for another syringe of Voluma, fill in some areas that could use a bit more. I really liked it the day I had it done but some of that was swelling. Hopefully this next syringe can fluff it all out. It's been an expensive month for my face. Lol. I just had Juvederm in my lips and 65 units of Botox, too. :/ Good luck and let me know how the Sculptra goes next week if you would. Thanks!
April 17, 2014
Hi, glad you liked your Voluma and Juvederm. I was super scared about the Sculptra, but actually it went even better. I had 2 vials, which equalled 5 syringes. I seriously thought that was going to be way too much, but they talked me down and reassured me that it wasn't, and they were right as usual. And I had way less bruising (so far) then with the the V & J. I'm still massaging 5 times a day, no issues yet. I am also using the retinol she prescribes, and so far I like it. I am really happy with the Doctor and the results. Yes, an expensive month indeed! Best of luck to you.
April 17, 2014
As an update to the above post, I believe I actually had 2 vials of each, not 2 syringes. I think 2 vials is about 5 syringes, but I am still learning. Sorry if I confused anyone.
Replies (0)