First off, a little about me:
I am very plastic positive. I've had a rhinoplasty, alar reduction, cheek implants, liposuction, and countless fillers and Botox over the years.
My philosophy regarding my body and face is the same I have towards my mind and character: continuous improvement.
Obviously we all age. But we needn't go quietly into that good night.
I first saw Dr. Saxon for a cheek implant revision consultation in 2018. She gained my trust immediately with her intelligence and expertise. My revision was performed in Dec 2018 and the results were fabulous.
I've wanted a lip lift since I discovered what they were. They're such a fabulous way to subtly enhance your beauty. Dr. Saxon does a great deal of these in her practice as an accredited specialist in facial plastic surgery.
I was so excited to get my lip lift, I've been planning a year for it. In our consultation Dr. Saxon suggested a dermal graft to my upper lip to add a bit of volume, and I was all over it. Yes please!
I decided to pair my lip procedures with a Morpheus 8 treatment to address my budding jowls. Go big or go home.
I opted for full anesthesia for my lip lift/graft and Morpheus8 because I am a coward when it comes to procedures. Surgery facility fees were approximately $2k. Oh well!
I'm 4 days post op now, still quite swollen, and I'm pretty blotchy with the Morpheus8 but that's how it works!
I'll post pics of my recovery as it progresses.
If you live in Texas, Dr. Saxon is truly the best surgeon available. Not only is she is greatly skilled, her aesthetic judgement is accurate and firm. She will guide you to your best self.
My husband says..."Don't go get anything done. You're so beautiful the way you are."
He's so sweet.
Dr. Saxon is my secret weapon.
Updated on 5 Jan 2020:
Here I am on day 6. As you can see, still a great deal of swelling. I've been gently cleaning my incision 2x/day and then reapplying the ointment prescribed by Dr. Saxon. (she told me to not let it dry out)
I do think some of the swelling is from the Morpheus8.
A note on Morpheus8: I read online in several places that Morpheus is a "weekend" procedure, that you can have it done on Friday and go back to work Monday.
Uhhh... for me, not so much. After 6 days, I am still incredibly blotchy, and the texture of my skin is horrid. It's not the redness, that could theoretically be dealt with by makeup, it's the rough patches and random clusters of bumps from the procedure. Several breakouts too.
I'm not sure if I did something wrong, or if I just have really sensitive skin. After the first day I used my own products to keep my skin moisturized- they've never caused breakouts before, so I have to conclude it was the procedure??
I just really hope my skin will calm down soon and the results will be awesome. You're supposed to have 3 treatments to get the maximum effect- not sure if I can handle another two at this slow rate of recovery.
*I do have sensitive, acne-prone skin. If you have normal skin maybe you will recover quickly!*
Love, K
Updated on 6 Jan 2020:
Looks like I can't add just a photo without a review..?
This is before the lip lift, after cheek implant revision, with makeup, smiling, about 1 month ago
Back when my skin wasn't molting and cherry-red sigh
Updated on 8 Jan 2020:
Dr. Saxon took my stitches out yesterday. She said my swelling is about 70% done. Yay, but also I wish I could keep the swelling forever haha
I also got some details on my procedure-
My initial measurements (lip had asymmetry): 18 and 20mms
She took off 5 and 7mms to bring final measurements to 13mms.
She performed a dermal graft on both top and bottom lips. She used dissolvable stitches in the lips and the tiniest incisions, I actually didn't even know they were there. (Dermal graft source was behind my ear)
I am LOVING the results so far!!
Still super blotchy from the Morpheus, but my skin's texture has returned to the point of actually belonging to a human woman, so I can cover the redness with makeup. My nose is a little swollen too.
Scar is clean.
Guys I want to filter these photos SO BAD because my skin is still awful from the Morpheus8, but I also want you to see the details *crying emoji*
Love, K
Updated on 8 Jan 2020:
Here are some pictures with captions, since it does not appear I can edit or revise previous posts? Not sure why that is.
Again, my skin is still super cranky after the Morpheus8 treatment but at least I can sort of put makeup on it now!
Love, K
Updated on 8 Jan 2020:
Previous post didn't include the pics even though they were uploaded. Hmmm.
Repeat text to satisfy minimum character requirements:
Here are some pictures with captions, since it does not appear I can edit or revise previous posts? Not sure why that is.
Again, my skin is still super cranky after the Morpheus8 treatment but at least I can sort of put makeup on it now!
Love, K
Updated on 8 Jan 2020:
A couple of pictures with light foundation and lip balm. So happy to be able to put foundation on again!
Not sure how to cover the scar though, I am trying to leave it alone, but tomorrow I have to go to a public event so hopefully I'll be able to figure something out!
Updated on 13 Jan 2020:
Still some swelling on one side that is making my nose look a little funky, and it wasn't the straightest nose to begin with. However I am very happy with the results so far (although it's pretty hard to cover the scar with makeup and I have a big event Thursday- yeek)
The dermal grafts appear to have added quite a bit of volume (I hope it's not just swelling!) which frankly I hope never goes away.
Other notes:
1) I bruise really easily, so I bought 2 packs of SinEcch from Walmart.com (it's Arnica). I do this every time I have a procedure, even filler. I don't know exactly what the company claims it does, but I can say that I did not have even a tiny bruise after the lip lift.
2) Dr. Saxon does dermal grafts rather than fat transfer because of the difficulty in getting the fat to remain in the lips as they are constantly moving. I was skeptical at first but now I think she's on to something. (FYI I had fat transfer to my boobs during lipo and the results were life-changing. Still great 4 years later)
More in a week or so... Love, K
Updated on 26 Jan 2020:
Hello all! It's been a little less than a month since my procedure and I'm sharing some photos with makeup and lip liner on.
I'm still very happy with the results. Overjoyed, actually!
For the record: my initial measurements (lip had asymmetry): 18 and 20mms
Dr. Saxon took off 5 and 7mms to bring final measurements to 13mms.
(I asked her to be as aggressive as she was comfortable with, as I LOVE the short philtrum look :)
I think the results look less than 13mms? Maybe it's swelling...? Or just my face?
I still have some very slight asymmetry, which may or may not resolve itself, honestly I do not care as my lips were pretty asymmetrical to start with and now they are much less asymmetrical.
The dermal grafts really seem to have added fullness, when I look back at my "before" I'm very happy with the increase in volume from the grafts. Fingers crossed it's not just swelling and the look is here to stay for a while :)
Scar is healing. Tiny little bump under the skin on one side, I don't think it's noticeable to anyone but me, and there is still some slight creasing. To hide it, I put liquid foundation on, touch up with mineral foundation just on the scar, and try to stay out of direct sunlight haha
I see Dr. Saxon on Friday for my 1-month follow up.
Love and support to everyone who is contemplating, has scheduled, is going through recovery, or has had this done :)
Updated on 7 Feb 2020:
Hello all my beautiful people:
I don't think too much has changed with my lip lift since my 1 month update. Maybe a little residual swelling has gone down.
I am very happy. I feel fantastic!
I think my results are relatively subtle but I can see the change :)
Love, K