Am I Being Ripped off with Botox and Juvederm? (photo)

I have been injecting dermal filler for over a decade. I have NEVER injected 4cc's into the lips. The day I do is the day I will retire myself!

Seek another opinion, in my opinion!

I think the prices that you are quoting are very reasonable. With that said, the recommendation that you need 80 units in the forehead/ glabella is excessive. Further, four syringes of filler in your lips is likely more than you need/ want. That amount of Botox and Juvederm will likely create a very unnatural, "done" look which I would guess is not what you are trying to achieve. If you're unsure about your injectors plan, seek a second opinion. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACSWeber Facial Plastic Surgery

Hi Kiki.  We would not be suggesting as much Botox and filler as your practitioner is suggesting.  We would use 20 units of Botox in the area between the eyes (frown lines).  We would use another 16 units on the forehead and if you wanted the sides of the eyes, we would not use more than 16 again.  So, the maximum for us would be 52 units.

As for the filler, if you have 4 cc's in your lips, you will not look human.  Your lower lip is already full, so if anything we would use 1 cc in the upper lip.  

Yes, discounts are normally given for extra syringes.  We charge $500 instead of $550, but the second and third syringes are discounted.  

We would check around for another credible injector.  It's not so much the prices, but the amount of product that is being suggested that concerns us.

Flat out, you don't need 80 units of BOTOX.  This will totally paralyze your forehead.  A frozen look will be very unnatural and inauthentic.  $12 per unit of BOTOX is not unreasonable.  More experienced injectors can charge much more for their treatments with top injectors above approximately $20 per unit.  Remember the basic cost to the doctor of the product is in the $6 per unit range, other costs get factored into to making a final price for the service including the actual consultation, cost to pay for the staff that greets you at the front desk, back office nursing staff, cost to make and maintain your chart, rent and utilities on the office space, paying for your parking if they validated,  cost of marketing the practice, and let's not forget about malpractice cost.  FInally, the doctor doing the service might want to take a few dollars home at the end of the day.  These cost do add up.  

Finally, 4 ml of Juvederm for your lips is ridiculous.  A very nice lip edge treatment should be in the neighborhood of 1 ml.  I personally think that Juvederm is an inappropriate product for lip treatment because of its tendency to drift after service.  I think Restylane is a much better product for this.  If you get 4 ml of treatment, you will look like the Joker.  As I tell my professional women patients, there are basically two types of lip edge treatment: executive lips that look nice and natural and adult entertainment lips: don't confuse the two.

I don't think the basic prices you are being quote are unreasonable.  I think the service being proposed does not make sense.  If you can't afford quality service, please do not get treatment.  Nothing is worse than getting wrecked to save a few bucks.  On the other hand, based on the proposed treatment described, I think you should consider getting some additional opinions.  Start small: well done conservative treatment will save you money in the long run.

You will probably get many opinions about your situation, but here goes mine:  I think 80 units, based on your photos, is excessive.  80 units of Dysport would make more sense.  For comparison, I typically inject 15 units for the frowners between the eyes, and anywhere from 6 to 12 units in the upper forehead.  Even if you were going to get your crows feet injected (another 9 units, or so, per side), the total would be only about half of what your were told you need.  As for fillers, 4 syringes of filler for the lips only is a crazy amount, in my opinion.  If you are having your smile lines and marionette lines injected as well, then 4 syringes is reasonable.