POSTED UNDER Lip Lift Reviews
Lip Lift with Dermal Fat Graft to upper lip
UPDATED FROM shelly8
4 years post
HIs "fix" didn't work and he cut it too short
WORTH IT$5,500
I specifically asked Dr. Spiegel prior to the lip lift if it could cause chin strain. He said no. Yet, I now have both chin strain and a gummy smilie.
When I went back to him he insulted me by saying prior to his work my upper lip was so long it was flapping all around. He gave me botox and said it would resolve the issue permanently. Well, it did not.
I've since gone to another doctor who said he cut it too short and other than coming back for botox every 3 months, there's nothing that can be done. He told me he's seen other Spiegel patients who also had too much taken off.
When I went back to him he insulted me by saying prior to his work my upper lip was so long it was flapping all around. He gave me botox and said it would resolve the issue permanently. Well, it did not.
I've since gone to another doctor who said he cut it too short and other than coming back for botox every 3 months, there's nothing that can be done. He told me he's seen other Spiegel patients who also had too much taken off.
shelly8's provider
UPDATED FROM shelly8
7 months post
RECEIVED RESPONSE FROM DR. SPIEGEL'S OFFICE
I wanted to provide an update as to the responsiveness of Dr. Spiegel's office. On June 15th I heard from Dr. Spiegel's office stating they had seen my review on realself and apologized for not getting back to me. They had Dr. Spiegel reach out to me, but we didn't connect (my fault, not his) due to medical appointments my husband had. I changed my overall rating back up more as a result of them getting back with me. I've scheduled an appointment with Dr. Spiegel in a few weeks, but right now the botox is still pretty fresh in my chin, so I may need to reschedule since there isn't much to see right now.
Replies (4)
BS
June 26, 2017
Too bad it had to take a real self review to get them to respond. Hopefully your situation will get resolved.
T
July 12, 2017
You may also benefit from microcurrent , especially around the jaw area ( it's the way all the face muscles are connected and it might take the strain off the chin area) orelspalsy / TMF exercise. Ask your doctor if they think it e
F
January 7, 2018
Hi, can you tell me how did the dr. remedy or did not resolve your chin strain? I am thinking about having a lip lift with dr. Rafizadeh in NJ and I have 23 mm distance like you did, so I am curious if the problem you had was resolved. Thank you for your help your posts have been very informative and helpful. You can also email me privately if you want.
M
February 7, 2021
You asked about chin strain before your surgery. Was it because you already suffered from this? I have have 2 lip lifts, due to the skin stretching back and the upper lip looking long again. Whenever I see someone with a lip lift freaking put about too much being removed, I always say to myself, they are freaking out for nothing. Their lip lift will fall some, some a lot, and they will wish that had gone shorter. I have never heard anything about chin strain due to having a lip lift. You had a fear it would happen to you. Did it happen to someone you know that had one? I also don't think your smile is gummy at all. The scar gel you are using is excellent by the way. At least it was for me.
UPDATED FROM shelly8
7 months post
6 months - Final update - NO RESPONSE TO CONCERNS EXPRESSED TO DR. SPIEGEL'S OFFICE
Hi everyone, this will be my final update.
I don't really notice any changes since my 3 month review. Everything is pretty much identical.
Still having the chin strain. I had a bit of botox put in and it helped a bit, but it still feels very uncomfortable to close my mouth. Plus, now I have to pay for Botox for the rest of my life?
On May 19th, I emailed Carol at his office. I wrote:
Hi Carole,
I decided to be patient and give my lip lift a total of 6 months to heal, but I’m still having chin strain. I’m very patient, and if Dr. Spiegel thinks it can take up to a year to heal, I can wait. Can you check with him and ask if it’s normal to still be experiencing it at 6 months?
Here's the response I received, also on May 19th:
Hi Michelle,
He will be in this afternoon and I will certainly ask him and then get back to you.
Carole
Well, today is June 2nd and I haven't heard a peep. Very disappointing. I've changed my overall score on Dr. S because of his lack of response. Clearly, I'll never receive a response, because even though I was assured multiple times by him I would not have chin strain, I do, and what can he say? I messed up? No, so I'll just be ignored.
My overall thoughts...Visually, my mouth is improved from where it was, but it's very uncomfortable to close my lips.
Would I do it again? If Dr. S had told me I could get chin strain, I would have made sure he was much more conservative in the length he took. I realize he gave me the 'optimal' length, but obviously it's not the optimal length for me.
For all those ladies who question if the doctor took off enough, trust me, it's enough. When it's too short, good luck closing your lips. You know how when you put on lipstick you rub your lips together to smear it? Well, you all know it, I used to know it, but I can no longer do it.
I don't really notice any changes since my 3 month review. Everything is pretty much identical.
Still having the chin strain. I had a bit of botox put in and it helped a bit, but it still feels very uncomfortable to close my mouth. Plus, now I have to pay for Botox for the rest of my life?
On May 19th, I emailed Carol at his office. I wrote:
Hi Carole,
I decided to be patient and give my lip lift a total of 6 months to heal, but I’m still having chin strain. I’m very patient, and if Dr. Spiegel thinks it can take up to a year to heal, I can wait. Can you check with him and ask if it’s normal to still be experiencing it at 6 months?
Here's the response I received, also on May 19th:
Hi Michelle,
He will be in this afternoon and I will certainly ask him and then get back to you.
Carole
Well, today is June 2nd and I haven't heard a peep. Very disappointing. I've changed my overall score on Dr. S because of his lack of response. Clearly, I'll never receive a response, because even though I was assured multiple times by him I would not have chin strain, I do, and what can he say? I messed up? No, so I'll just be ignored.
My overall thoughts...Visually, my mouth is improved from where it was, but it's very uncomfortable to close my lips.
Would I do it again? If Dr. S had told me I could get chin strain, I would have made sure he was much more conservative in the length he took. I realize he gave me the 'optimal' length, but obviously it's not the optimal length for me.
For all those ladies who question if the doctor took off enough, trust me, it's enough. When it's too short, good luck closing your lips. You know how when you put on lipstick you rub your lips together to smear it? Well, you all know it, I used to know it, but I can no longer do it.
Replies (5)
BS
June 3, 2017
I am sorry to hear you had the same lack of response I did to a concern I expressed. This appears to be a pattern. What a drag about the chin. If it's any consolation, people around you aren't seeing it, but I know we are our own worst critics.
BS
June 3, 2017
I forgot to ask, did you feel the tissue transfer to your upper lip still had an impact? I was left with no difference in my bottom lip.
M
June 3, 2017
No, I don't think the tissue transfer made an impact, except to my wallet!
A
June 3, 2017
Did he recommend any facial exercises? I wonder if they would help your situation. A few my surgeon recommends is to place a pencil horizontal above the lip and curl your lip upward for a minute at a time. Another one is to do exaggerated oooh and eee movements with mouth exaggerated wide. I do not know if this will help your situation. I also wonder if a doctor injected cortisone into scar tissue if it would loosen it up. I honestly have no idea. I think it may be worth it to get another opinion on how to get your chin strain resolved. There is a section to ask doctors questions on this site. I can still rub my lips with lipstick but it feels/moves a little different doing this than before, because my lip is shorter. I have discussed this with others on this site and they have similar. It does not bother me, it sounds like your situation is different. I do think you are still healing and hopefully things will relax more by 12 months post op. It sucks your doctors office is not responding.
S
A
June 3, 2017
Thanks for describing your experience - it's so helpful for people to know about this if they are considering a lip lift - like me. I can't see the strain in photos - but I take your word for that and other changes you describe. It looks youthful to show top teeth, and I think you look good. I guess the question is whether you would prefer to be in your pre-lift state, or where you are now? Only you can answer. I think you look much better now. But as you point out, looks isn't the only consideration. You lost some functionality. Does your mouth stay open when you eat? Open mouth when eating might deter me from a lip lift. Hopefully your concerns eased as you age and continue natural lip drop. I'm guessing there's nothing that can be done to mitigate or reverse you back.
M
June 3, 2017
Your lips look great. Sorry you are uncomfortable with the chin strain. The lip lift does improve your features significantly. And the scar will be invisible in a few months....
Replies (5)