Happy Face, Not Sad - Lakeland, FL

Update: The above was June of 2009, and I am still happy with the results, for me the procedure lasted much longer than I expected and I still don't have the heavy sagging at the corners of my mouth. The doctor had advised me the Juvederm was supposed to stimulate the collagen, and I think it must have, as I haven't felt the need to go back yet.

I had noticed a downward turn at the corners of my mouth that had started to bother me. After reading the pro's and con's on here, I was concerned about getting a filler. Then it happened... a coworker asked why I looked so sad, when I wasn't. I made an appt with my doctor the following week, with the intentions of getting a Botox injection, which I had had before for crows feet. I had read that Botox relaxes muscles so I was hoping it would help with the marionette lines that ran from the corners of my mouth downward. My doctor advised this was not possible for that area. He recommended Restalyne or Juvederm, with no preference of either. I explained my concerns with all the negativity on this site. He advised that most of the problems encountered were probably due to people using unqualified doctors to perform the procedure. He states everyone wants to get in the ballgame due to it being a very profitable business. That doesn't make every doctor qualified to perform the procedure. My doctor is a board certified plastic surgeon with over 30 years of experience. I trust him due to past experience. In the past, he refused to perform work on my face that he did not feel I needed, recommending I wait another 10-15 yrs to revisit that area. Some doctors would have jumped on the chance to line their pockets. Anyway, I chose the Juvederm. I hate needles, so this was not something I was looking forward to. His nurse applied a numbing cream to the areas I was having treated, both the upper and lower areas. He used one syringe per side. With the numbing, it felt about the same as receiving Botox. I felt the prick of the needle, but not the filler. Multiple sticks. And here is what follows. Had procedure on Tuesday afternoon, and had a love hate relationship with it the rest of the day. Face was slightly swollen, with a few obvious needle punctures. I could feel the filler, but it was not obvious looking a the face, and as some people have noted, it felt lumpy. I was still presentable enough with a few dabs of concealer to go grocery shopping the same day. The next day, Wednesday, the bruises showed up, which were expected. I had tiny bruises where needle sticks were obvious. Bruises at corners of mouth a little larger than a pencil eraser. Still tender to the touch and lumpiness is felt. I could cover bruising with concealer, but had to be careful to keep applying when needed. I preferred not to go out on this day. On Thursday, bruises still obvious, tenderness, needle marks still show, lumps still obvious, but less sensitive to touch. Friday, bruising is gone, needle marks are light pink and easily covered. Filler is much softer. Saturday, just about perfect, couple of needle sticks very faint, otherwise all is good and I am happy that my mouth no longer looks sad when the rest of me is happy. Everything looks completely natural, and was not over plumped, as is the mistake with some people. I will do it again as needed to maintain in 9-12 months hopefully.