Permalip Implants - Covington, LA

I just had my permalip implants put in 4 days ago, and I'm having such mixed feelings about it! I've wanted fuller lips for years now, and finally decided to do it on a whim. I've never had fillers or even any other surgery, so I wasn't sure what to expect, and I still feel extremely unsure whether or not I made the right decision. As the days have passed I've notice more and more changes and my lips are dramatically less swollen by now. However, I'm so concerned because they feel so numb and tingly. I'm an absolutely slob when I try to eat soft foods because I can't feel where my lips are. Does anybody know how long this will last? Also, I've read numerous reviews where people seem to be having an easier time with lip movement by now, and mine still feel stiff and sore. I haven't seen my front teeth in days, and I really hope that my front teeth aren't hidden behind these lips forever.
On the day of the procedure I was so afraid I couldn't stop shaking. Thankfully my surgeon was so sweet and comforting my nerves calmed down enough to go through with the procedure. Everyone says the shots are the worst part, but I have to disagree. They didn't bother me at all. Overall the procedure wasn't bad, the tugging and hearing her clip my skin open was a little uncomfortable, but I couldn't feel anything painful.
Since I've never had fillers, I have to say it was extremely strange seeing my new self in the mirror afterwards. Granted, I was swollen, but I got a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Immediately leaving the office I felt my lips inflate. My husband couldn't stop staring and I knew exactly what was going through his little head. Duck lips. My lips swelled up and out, they looks somewhat like a beak, and then they started turning blotchy and white. Of course, being a bit of a health freak I worried that maybe proper blood flow wasn't getting to them and that's why they were turning white, so I called the surgeon and she simply told me to keep ice on them, and immediately the color returned to them.
Day Two
My whole face swelled up though I slept sitting up as instructed. I jumped back when I saw myself in the mirror. It was God awful, but I kept ice on my face and the swelling went down by the next day. Something I didn't read about in any review were HOW the lips peeled. I'd been keeping Carmex on them since the moment I stepped out of the office, and I figured I would probably be able to dodge the peeling part, but apparently that's not how it works. The peeling isn't like chapped lips, it's more like when a snake sheds it's skin.
Day Three and Four
The results have stayed about the same, dramatically less swelling than on the first couple of days. I've kept my lips iced at all times because I don't like the sensation of how they feel when I don't have ice on them. It feels a bit tight and tingly, which I'm hoping will subside REALLY soon.
I will post pictures and keep you guys updated!

My lips feel dramatically better today compared to yesterday! I don't feel the strange tingling as intensely as I did yesterday which has come as a surprise. It was driving me absolutely crazy! I had to keep ice on them for days to distract me from that tingling numbness. I haven't had to take any pain medication at all. They still feel tight, and I'm not able to smile yet, but I am able to open my mouth wider. I'm feeling MUCH more optimistic about the procedure. I chose the largest size, 5 mm, but the change, even with the swelling, has been subtle. I can understand why everyone wishes they had gone bigger. Even the biggest is pretty discrete. My husband had been in doubt about the procedure, of course he didn't want me to do it, but I can tell he's finally at ease because they look so much better.

I can feel the implant pushed up against the inside of my lip, but it doesn't bother me at all. I read a lot of reviews where people complained about them being hard, but it actually doesn't feel uncomfortable or strange.

I think at this point the worst part is waiting for my lips to feel loosened up enough to smile! I'm eager to see what my new lips will look like with a smile!

Well, my lips look fabulous! My husband even complimented them, though as I said before he was completely against me doing the procedure. I still ice them before I go to bed, which is unnecessary and probably doesn't do anything, but for some reason they still feel a little tighter at night than they do during the day.

I'm a little concerned about my ability to speak and smile. My lips still feel so tight I have limited movement. I've never gone this long without smiling! I have laughed many times, but it feels so tight that I can't break out a full smile and feel the need to instantaneously cover my mouth in case I look goofy. I haven't regained full movement of my lips and have completely lost the ability to properly say any words with a 'V' or 'F' sound. I was put in a social situation today, so in order to cover up my new speech impediment, I popped in an old chunky retainer to blame my awkward speech on. Of course it made my pronunciation much worse, but served as a believable excuse.
I read about these lip exercises they tell you to do 2 and a half weeks after the surgery, since my stitches are long gone and I've healed wonderfully I'm hoping I'll be allowed to start those soon!

It occurred to me that maybe it is suggested to try fillers before doing Permalip because maybe it stretches out the inside of the lip a little bit as well as serving as a general idea of what you will look like with fuller lips. Does anybody know if the first reason this is part of it?
I read about others here on RealSelf having an easier time with lip movement by now, but they had fillers before. I just dove right into the implants and I'm still having a hard time with the tightness. Wondering if that has anything to do with why!


I have my follow up appointment tomorrow and I'm eager to hear what my Dr has to say!