POSTED UNDER Lip Lift REVIEWS
Makes a Subtle but Beautiful Difference - Vancouver, BC
ORIGINAL POST
I tried to ignore it, but there it was: a too-long...
CatherinebSeptember 23, 2013
WORTH IT$3,000
I tried to ignore it, but there it was: a too-long upper lip that made me not want to look in the mirror without pursing my lips to change the proportion. I'd had a long-scar facelift in my forties and a brow lift in my early fifties and was happy with my face at the age of 56 except for this one thing that wasn't in harmony with my relatively youthful face.
Dr. Buonassi's website was comprehensive and user-friendly, and the videos showed me a plastic surgeon who was low-key, intelligent, thoughtful and personable, with a clearly warm and caring rapport with the patients featured. I liked that he specializes in facial surgery. The photos of his rhinoplasty patients demonstrated a terrific eye for a natural aesthetic, and his lip lift patients had symmetrical and conservative philtrum reductions; I'd seen some extreme lip lifts online and was very clear about wanting to avoid anything unnatural. My consultation was relaxed and thorough and I felt entirely comfortable about putting my face in the care of Dr. Buonassisi.
Mandy and Katy could not have been more kind and reassuring and the facilities at 8west are elegant, spotless and first-rate. Everyone was on-time and professional.
The procedure was done with local anaesthetic and was over quickly with no pain or anxiety after the initial freezing injections, which the doctor did swiftly and deftly. Subsequent discomfort was minimal -- after that evening when I took a couple of Tylenol, I didn't require anything else. There was no difficulty eating or drinking. The swelling was gone in four or five days. There was no bruising. After two weeks, with a touch of coverup, I was back in the social whirl with no self consciousness, feeling prettier and very happy. Four mm. were removed from the original 20. The scarring after one month is barely noticeable except for some redness which will resolve itself.
I can recommend this procedure and Dr. Buonassisi without reservation.
Dr. Buonassi's website was comprehensive and user-friendly, and the videos showed me a plastic surgeon who was low-key, intelligent, thoughtful and personable, with a clearly warm and caring rapport with the patients featured. I liked that he specializes in facial surgery. The photos of his rhinoplasty patients demonstrated a terrific eye for a natural aesthetic, and his lip lift patients had symmetrical and conservative philtrum reductions; I'd seen some extreme lip lifts online and was very clear about wanting to avoid anything unnatural. My consultation was relaxed and thorough and I felt entirely comfortable about putting my face in the care of Dr. Buonassisi.
Mandy and Katy could not have been more kind and reassuring and the facilities at 8west are elegant, spotless and first-rate. Everyone was on-time and professional.
The procedure was done with local anaesthetic and was over quickly with no pain or anxiety after the initial freezing injections, which the doctor did swiftly and deftly. Subsequent discomfort was minimal -- after that evening when I took a couple of Tylenol, I didn't require anything else. There was no difficulty eating or drinking. The swelling was gone in four or five days. There was no bruising. After two weeks, with a touch of coverup, I was back in the social whirl with no self consciousness, feeling prettier and very happy. Four mm. were removed from the original 20. The scarring after one month is barely noticeable except for some redness which will resolve itself.
I can recommend this procedure and Dr. Buonassisi without reservation.
Catherineb's provider
UPDATED FROM Catherineb
1 month post
Makes a Subtle but Beautiful Difference - Vancouver, B.C.
CatherinebSeptember 24, 2013
Before and afters
Replies (42)
September 24, 2013
Thank you so much for posting pictures! Your results are very nice!
Did you have to go on any sort of limited diet while your lip was healing up?
September 25, 2013
Heavens, no. Dr. Buonassisi does not involve the underlying muscle in his lip lifts - I asked specifically about the muscle-hemming technique, and he has nothing good to say about it - and so my mouth was fully operational immediately after surgery. I also could brush my teeth without a problem. I could speak clearly as well. I was all set to use a straw for protein shakes and not brush my teeth for a week after reading some reviews, but again, unless the muscle is being tampered with it's a non-issue. Hope this helps!
September 25, 2013
I'm glad you prepared for worst case scenario just in case, but that it sounds like it turned out to be best case!! :)
September 26, 2013
Indeed! I should mention to readers that my upper lip felt a bit stiff for a month. Didn't affect me in a practical sense, but I was aware of the incision site every time I smiled. It's now cleared up, five weeks post-procedure.
September 26, 2013
"Dr. Buonassisi does not involve the underlying muscle in his lip lifts - I asked specifically about the muscle-hemming technique, and he has nothing good to say about it."
You look great and you were smart to do your research regarding involving the muscle with your liplift. Take it from someone who has to live with the horrible cosequences of that for the rest of my life.
September 26, 2013
Oh, my darling, I am sorry that you are experiencing that. I know that a Dr. Haworth (spelling?) from Beverly Hills had written quite adamantly about using the muscle hemming technique, which is specifically why I brought up the subject with Dr. Buonassisi. It is understandable that you would trust the advice and skills of a professional, so it is his fault, not yours. Again, very sorry to hear about your experience.
September 28, 2013
You look great, and much younger than your age! I can't wait to do this procedure myself!
September 28, 2013
The procedure and recovery is a relative breeze (as long as you avoid the dreaded muscle-tampering!) and if you've got yourself a surgeon who has a good eye for just how much to remove and where (a little more can be removed from either the middle or the sides of the incision area) you'll find, I know, that it will make a really significant improvement in the appearance of your whole face. All the best and keep us updated! Thank you for your kind words.
September 28, 2013
P.S. I see you've had less than terrific results in past from a not-great doctor. It's so key to have a competent, conservative one. I trust that you have done your research and have seen excellent examples in the doctor's photographs of his lip lift patients' Before and Afters. I know that this site was invaluable for finding a top-rated facial plastic surgeon. As long as you've got yourself a great doc, you'll be fine.
September 30, 2013
Everything you say is so true! I learned my lesson the hard way and am going with nothing but the best, with real before and afters, from now on. I hope to do this in the next six months and will post a review when I do. Keep us updated on your progress. You look fantastic!
October 1, 2013
Your result is beautiful and you definitely look much younger than your age. I am not very familiar with this procedure but is the philtrum basically the space between the base of the nose and the upper lip? It sounds like you didn't have much pain and the surgery was fairly quick. Did you have any discomfort when eating after? Take care of yourself and congrats on a great result!:)
October 1, 2013
Thank you, sweetheart!
Yes, that's the philtrum all right. A quickie at Dr. B's with just local numbing injections and all of 20 minutes of cutting and sewing. No pain by the next morning. A bit itchy the first week. No probs eating, but smiling felt a bit tight for a few weeks, that's all. I can tell the scar is going to be virtually invisible. We're so lucky to have our doctor. When you're ancient like I am, you can have a little nipping and tucking and feel pretty darn happy. Or not - you may age perfectly gracefully and just recommend Dr. Buonassisi to your less-fortunate friends. ;-)
October 1, 2013
I just took a peek at your photos and you, my dear, have an ideal upper lip. You lucky thing, you. No need to think about a lip lift. With your new, shapely nose you are perfectly lovely. Enjoy being young and pretty!
October 7, 2013
Aw thanks! I checked out the new photos you posted and you look wonderful. Beautiful Smile!
October 3, 2013
Can't thank you enough! My LL is scheduled for next month and I am excited but nervous. I looooove your result!!! Can't even see the scar. And your "Before" measurement of 20 mm is the exact same as mine, so I was very intrigued that your doc decided on a 4 mm removal. Like you, I want a natural result and the surgeon I selected does not believe in touching the muscle either. So how long was it before you could blow your nose? Thanks again and congrats on a truly fabulous "After"!
October 3, 2013
I'm so glad my photos and comments encouraged you to feel positive about your own LL, MM. Oh, I could blow my nose right away, eat, drink, brush my teeth, you name it. You know, 4mm is a good 20% reduction, so it's pretty substantial, even though I've read of up to 9mm removed. From what I've read, taking off that kind of amount means that the healing process is more difficult. I can't imagine not being able to close my mouth or pronounce a "b" or "p" sound! I've read that, too.
I'm sure you'll do just fine and have a good result if you've chosen a good surgeon. Nice of you to say mine looks okay. Thank you.
October 3, 2013
It looks better than okay...it's perfect! I will post about my experience next month - wish me luck :). I love all the support from the RealSelfers!
October 3, 2013
Ah, you won't need any luck. The only tough part will be waiting until next month!
October 3, 2013
I was thinking, too, that the amount the doctor decides to remove might depend on age. I am 56 so having a pert little upper lip in the context of the rest of my face would have looked rather odd, I think! As it is, I feel it suits my overall look - and there is zero self-consciousness! I have a feeling, knowing myself, that if it was even a teeny bit unnaturally short, I'd be constantly wondering whether people thought I looked like a had "work done." I simply wanted to look like a prettier, more youthful me.
UPDATED FROM Catherineb
2 months post
At five weeks, no makeup
CatherinebOctober 3, 2013
Just to reassure everyone that if done competently, the scar is very minor indeed.
Replies (0)