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POSTED UNDER Lip Lift Reviews

44 Year Old Not Happy with Distance Btw. Lip and Nose - Baltimore, MD

UPDATED FROM JJM3038
17 days post

Out in Public

JJM3038
WORTH IT$2,200
I went back to work on day 13. Went to a wedding on day 12. They say you can go back sooner, but I don't recommend it. When I picked my daughter up from school on Day 5, people were horrified. I had to tell them the truth...that I opted to have selective surgery done. Was thinking about lying and saying that I fell on my nose, but just couldn't do it. At that point I really didn't care because I was so pleased with the results. I could have tactfully said, " mind your business" but I just told the truth. I'm single mom so the softball games,etc., life goes on. I couldn't stay hidden for long. But I most definitely could NOT have gone back to work. I deal with the public.

JJM3038's provider

Ricardo L. Rodriguez, MD

Ricardo L. Rodriguez, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.6 | 201 Reviews
PROFILE

JJM3038 rating for Dr. Rodriguez:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
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Replies (5)

June 20, 2015
thank you for an excellent and realistic account of the surgery and recovery. I think doctors always underestimate when you are ready to come out in public. You look great, by the way. Nice job! Can't wait to see how it effects your smile.
User Avatar
June 22, 2015
Beautiful! Update please!
June 22, 2015
Looking forward to your new pics!
June 23, 2015
Any pix to share? Would love to see some :)
July 9, 2015
How are you feeling about your lip lift now ? How's the scar healing and is your distance still the same? Thank you for any feedback
July 13, 2015
I am very pleased. There is still a slight-moderate scar. The distance is the same. It is still hard for me to rub my lips together after applying chapstick. The numbness is FINALLY improving on the tip of nose and septum, but it is a slow process. I really need to post pics. Ill get to it, Promise.
August 12, 2015
Any new pics? Looked like it was healing nicely and you had a great improvement. Id love to see where you are now. I also love he kept your sills.
November 4, 2017
Hi JJM3038,

I recently had a LL performed by Dr. R on 9/29/17. (I don't live in the area, but traveled.) Your pictures mimic my current experience where some swelling lingered in the middle of the philtrum. I'm really interested in knowing and seeing your post one month progress in this area, please. Other people's photos are great but don't reflect my current experience...and I really understand that everyone and every experience is different. Yet I could use some encouragement right now as I am tired of seeing this concentrated swelling in this area. :-/

I plan to buy some fresh, organic pineapple today. (I've been taking bromelain and arnica supplements for the past 5 days and 1 month, respectively.)

Thanks in advance! Your results at 1 month looked great!!! Congrats! :-)
November 8, 2017
Hi! I just had a lip lift with Dr R on 11/1. I'd love to exchange stories. Is there a way you can PM me here? Not quite ready to share pics on a public forum
November 11, 2017
Sure thing. It will be great support! I'll PM you now.
November 11, 2017
I'm having technological difficulties. As soon as I can confirm myself for RS, I'll send you a PM. :-/
November 26, 2017
Hi. Not sure if you are still checking ‘this forum. I’m about 25 days post op and still look very strange. The swelling in the philtrum area is prettty bad and makes the entire area protrude. I️ see dr r on 12/4. Frankly there has not been much improvement in the last week. I’m getting scared this is the final result. If so I️ can say I am very disappointed. How are you coming along?
December 3, 2017
Hi, I'm still here...thought you had stopped. Anyhoo, I already know that I desire a revision because I have no way near the tooth show Dr. R and I discussed and I demo'd for him. I haven't a follow-up with him 12.5.17. How funny. I, too, have a lingering protrusion of my philtrum area that is a huge concern at 9 wk. as of yesterday. (especially since all other swelling was gone by day 4) I feel like the current philtrum swell is the same since day 4 postop, with maybe the tiniest improvement over the last 7 days. I also am concerned about a couple of new faint lines appearing on my face on either side of my lower lip, going a little down my chin. :-/
December 3, 2017
*I have a follow-up with him 12.5.17.
UPDATED FROM JJM3038
17 days post

MEASUREMENTS

JJM3038
My starting distance was 1.8
After surgery 1.3
Initially, Dr. Rodriguez and I discussed final measurement at 1.1......I am glad he talked me out of that. I feel that would have been to short. So Basically, he removed .5 total. Also, Dr. Rodriguez STRESSED- "Its not how much I remove, but rather how much I leave" ! And I think it probably varies patient to patient. Thanks for all the support out there. I had a syringe of restylane injected 2 weeks after the surgery. In the deep wrinkle that was noticeable in some previous pictures. I confirmed with Dr. that this was OK. When the swelling and bruising is gone from the restylane, I will post a final result picture.

Replies (3)

May 31, 2015
Thank you for all your updates. He was so right stressing how much you leave! You can always take more but cannot put back. I know of someone who had too much removed with a muscle hemming lip Lift and she had to have skin grafts just to be able to close her mouth and eat normally. Unfortunately she is left with the skin that was grafted being a totally different texture and color. So so sad. You look great!!
May 31, 2015
Would you be willing to post both close up and full face shots (that are comparable to your "before" shots) for your "after" pics?
June 2, 2015
when I see Dr. Rodriguez for my 1 month pictures and follow-up, I will have him forward pics to me for the comparison with same camera/ angle.
June 15, 2015
I can't wait to see your pictures at 1 month!
UPDATED FROM JJM3038
14 days post

Day 13

JJM3038
Went back to work today. Some people stared at my nose but didn't say anything. The ladies that I told said it looked "cute" Two people used that expression. I think It looks better without makeup. Still some numbness and stiffness.

Replies (5)

User Avatar
May 28, 2015
Ur lips sexy now .. Can i ask u how is the swelling in ur nose is it better and did it go down?
May 31, 2015
the swelling was gone after about a week! the septum is still numb. I was getting worried about the stiffness....couldn't open real wide, smiling was difficult, this has improved a great deal. Rubbing lips together after applying chapstick is still difficult but slowly improving.
May 31, 2015
ALSO THANKS FOR USING THE WORD SEXY BECAUSE THATS THE LOOK I WAS GOING FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 29, 2015
The lip lift makes you look 7-10 yrs younger. Congratulations! I look forward to your updates!
May 30, 2015

Did you get your measurements for pre and post distance?

May 31, 2015
See the new post below. I updated the measurements
May 31, 2015
I went back to work on day 13. Went to a wedding on day 12. they say you can go back sooner, but I don't recommend it. When I picked my daughter up from school on Day 5, people were horrified. I had to tell them the truth...that I opted to have selective surgery done. Was thinking about lying and saying that I fell on my nose, but just couldn't do it. At that point I really didnt care because I was so pleased with the results. I could have tactfully said, " mind your business" but I just told the truth. I'm single mom so the softball games,etc., life goes on. I couldn't stay hidden for long. But I most definitely could NOT have gone back to work. I deal with the public.
User Avatar
June 11, 2015
How is your healing going? Are you still swollen? Has the scar diminished?
June 11, 2015
Its been a month as of today. Scar looks great. Stopped using bio oil because it was way to greasy for me and I was breaking out, but I feel like I really don't even need any scar cream since its healing so well. The swelling went down after about 1.5 weeks. I will be posting my final pics after my 1 month follow-up with Dr. Rodriguez. Thanks
June 12, 2015
Thank you for your post and updates you look great! I have been wanting a lip lift from Dr Rodrigues since reading his blog. I also live in Maryland.
June 17, 2015
Really impressed so far. Does Dr. R offer lasering of the scar as part of the treatment? Can't wait to see your 1 month mark pictures!