My lips aren’t any bigger but it appears that I have a duck bill now! Will my duckbill at least correct itself?

Question

I received one full syringe of Juvéderm three days ago.The space between my nose and my lips appears to be protruding like a duckbill not only from front view but the side view too. I don’t not notice any more volume in my lips than before. It also appears that my lips are disaportioned now. I know it is only been three days but I am very heartbroken with results so far. I feel like I just took $750 and threw it out the window . Will my duckbill at least correct itself?

Rupert Critchley, MD, MRCGP · Answer

Hi there!Thank you for your question! It is very common to experience swelling post filler treatment and this could last up to 2 weeks. If you are still dissatisfied after this time then I would suggest going back to your practitioner for a review.
Hope this helps!
Best Wishes,
Dr. Rupert

Gregory A. Buford, MD, FACS · Answer

Without pictures there is really no way to comment on the appearance of your lips.  If you are unhappy with the results, you need to contact the injector who actually performed your procedure and let he/she know about your concerns and go from there.  If they are not able to help you then I encourage you to see someone else.As with any injector, make sure that they have a sigifncaitn amount of experience with the facial injectables and do not choose someone based on price point alone.  I hope that helps and wish you the very best!Warmest regards,-Gregory A Buford MD FACS PCEOBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon and AuthorCertified Allergan National MASTER Facial Injectables Trainer

Arnold Almonte, DO · Answer

It’s difficult to advise without pictures. But in general, the duckbill appearance occurs when fillers are placed into lips that are too low. As you age, the distance from the corner of your nose to the top of your lip increases, resulting in thin, low hanging lips. Adding filler to that lip results in the duckbill appearance. The more appropriate treatment in that situation would be a lip lift, where the goal is not to make the lip bigger, rather, to show more of it! That treatment results in a more natural appearance, whereas enlarging an already low hanging lip results in the dreaded “duckbill” appearance. I suggest awaiting your filler to fully resolve, then revisit this issue with your plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Kenneth Yu, MD · Answer

Hello.  It's a bit hard to provide detailed answer without knowing which Juvederm product you used.  Also, it's common to have significant swelling the day after injection and it may take one to two weeks for the lips to settle down.  Juvederm Ultra XC is the most popular filler for lips, and it tends to draw in more water.  I would make sure you schedule follow up with your injector in a week  and make sure things are progressing as expected.  You can gently massage the duckbill area towards the red lip in the meantime.  If the duck bill persists at two weeks, then it's likely due to injection technique and the filler is in the white part of your upper lip.  The only way to eliminate that would be injecting hyaluronidase or just waiting it out.  Good luck.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and I am sorry to hear of your difficulties after filler placement but rest assured these symptoms will all get better over the next 10 days.  It often takes up to 2 weeks for fillers to soften and the tissues to appear more natural.  In the meantime try reducing the swelling by using cold compresses to your lips and elevating your head at night with a couple of extra pillows behind your back.  You may want to also consider using Arnica Montana and bromelain as supplements.  Hang in there!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear cara bartkoski,
it is hard to tell without an examination or at least some photos. Juvederm has significant swelling post injection. I would follow up with you plastic surgeon but typically I tell all my patients to wait a full two weeks.  Generally at 2 weeks they are happy and glad they didn't dissolve.  Dissolving is unpredictable as well.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

Swelling is common after lip filler and can take up to two weeks to resolve.  The swelling can be disproportionate.  If after two weeks you still have concerns, return to your injector for an evaluation.  The filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if desired.

Zoraida Navarro, MD · Answer

Filling lips can be very tricky.In order to make lips pouty some injectors place a large volume of material in the Cupids bow. I find this area tends to swell and therefore I inject it very slightly. You can always come in for more filler at a later date. Have your injector place some hyluronidase into the overfilled area and ice the area 3-4 times a day. It should go down enough to make you look perky but not silly. Next time advise the injector that they need to go "slow" and not inject so much at one time. Don't worry, it can be fixed. If however you notice a purple hue to the lips or an ulceration, this could be a medical emergency and you should see you docotr immediately, see video below where someone injected an lip artery! Always visit a licensed professional.

Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery - Grand Rapids · Answer

Hello there! I am so sorry that you are feeling this way. Lip fillers take at least two weeks to heal, and for things to settle down. I would recommend waiting at least that amount of time before meeting with your injector to discuss concerns and goals. At 3 days from treatment, most patients are very swollen. This may be contributing to the "duck bill" look you are concerned with. Good luck to you! Sarah RN BSN

New You Medical Spa - Chandler · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question. Juvederm is a very hydrophilic filler, meaning it draws in water. This in addition to the swelling caused by injecting your lips can cause significant swelling the first several days with residual swelling that may last 2-3 weeks. Sometimes this can give the appearance of “duck lips” until things settle down. I would recommend waiting two weeks and if you are still unsatisfied you should return to your Injector and let them know your concerns.

My lips aren’t any bigger but it appears that I have a duck bill now! Will my duckbill at least correct itself?

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