Ann Lott, MD (retired)

I think I am the queen of swelling with the Hyaluronic fillers. We took photos to reassure my patients who have the same reaction. It is best to be really good about icing every 5-10min for maybe 2-3 minutes on the lips, up to 5 minutes on the cheeks for the 1st hour. But be careful not to give yourself frost bite however. Lift the ice off and on and see if the skin is too blanched. You can slow down the frequency of icing over the next few hours (you will also get bored). It does go away! Generally it is less every day. For me it generally takes 3 days. but up to a month for everything to smooth out. If you have pain, definitely call your doc!

Personal story- I heard the 1st Botox lecture Dr. Alastair Carruthers gave at our derm surgery meeting and  was ready to sign up although he presented only 27 cases. I had the family frown lines. i didn't have 11's,  I had 1111!  When I worked over patients, I imagined they saw a human vulture.

I definitely think you look younger with Botox properly injected. I had a patient this week come and said she was tired of the Feb. cold and clouds, she felt depressed, " I need my Botox". She left with the knowledge that in a few days her mirror will say it's almost Spring.

 

#1 keep your 1 week appointment with your doc. Let's hope the swelling is just the trauma and will get better with time and ice. If some of the Juvederm was dislodged to the right side you will need the Hylaronidase injection to reduce the fullness. You could also ask your doc's staff to call if there are any cancellations so you can get in sooner.

I have seen several references in my professional journals regarding the lowering of longevity  of fillers in people who exercise due to the increase blood flow in the skin. I do know we see more bruising in my patients if they exercise the next day or two after injection.This  is  sad news to those of us who are addicted to working out but I think the benefit  of both fillers and exercise is worth it!

The Carruthers (the Docs who brought the cosmetic use of Botox to us) have done several dose ranging studies that were reported at our national dermatology meetings. The average dose for females was 25units in the glabella area.The low dose they used was 20. It may be that there was some misunderstanding of the dose you recieved in Texas. I my many years of injecting Botox I haven't had any patient with define gabellar lines get by with only 10 units.