First Time with Fillers- Voluma - Columbus, OH

I was motivated to try fillers as I had been through a physically difficult year and was noticing at 37 that I was looking stressed out and tired all the time. It really seemed to happen all within 6-8 months, particularly as I lost some weight during that time as well.

I decided to get voluma for the area under my eyes. I believe the areas he ended up filling include the upper cheekbone, tear trough, and area between the nose and mid cheek area.

I probably spent a few months researching different fillers and experiences. I was open to anything longer lasting. I currently dont have the budget for consistent touch ups for short lived fillers, or unfortunately fat transfer right now. I think voluma was a great choice. I also considered sculptra. I read a lot of reviews to help me decide, so ill try to include in my experience anything helpful.

I made a couple appointments for local doctors and decided to go with Dr. Bapna. The world of fillers was completely new to me, and am ridiculously afraid of needles. It was also somewhat nerve-wracking as to how to find someone obviously skilled in injection technique as well as style that would help shape my face for the next few years . About 5 years ago, I went to a consult for restylane at a very highly regarded local ps office, NOT a med spa, and was pretty much scared off by what looked like obvious ropey lines under the the injectors naso labial areas. It might not be fair to have judged her own technique based on that, who knows, maybe it needed to settle, but I pretty much wrote off fillers from that experience until recently.

I ultimately made my choice based on glowing reviews, and just jumped in! I figured a conservative approach would keep bad results at bay, and I could build from there.

The day of, I was so nervous I actually forgot my wallet and cell phone! The office staff and Dr. Bapna were unbelievably nice and accommodating and got me in the same day as I had to travel out of town a couple days later. In retrospect, I feel completely ridiculous to have been so nervous about such a minor procedure, but at the time I was a scared rabbit :).

We spoke about what i wanted to address using a mirror, and outlined a plan. Including saving about half a syringe for touch up 3 weeks later. The initial injections did sting a little. My heart was racing and I got dry mouth, but after a few moments the numbing agent included in the voluma did a good job making it fairly painless. The most painful areas were near the outer atea of my cheekbone. I felt almost nothing closer to my nose.

I had been taking arnica pills 3 days prior but still ended up bruising in the area that needed most filling. I was extremely worried about bruising because I was flying 3 days later and didnt want to look odd. Although there was a pretty obvious bruise close up, it was seriously no big deal. Make up covered it completely. I even went grocery shopping that same day. The bruise was gone completely in about 7 days.

As far as first time with fillers go, the oddest part was feeling like something foreign was under my skin. Then at day 7, it just seemed to magically "sink in " and I dont even feel it. It just seems integrated. I feel very very happy and grateful that I dont look exhausted. The price is a bit expensive, but seems worth it to me, mostly being results are expected to last 2 years.