POSTED UNDER Botox Reviews
never again
UPDATED FROM Forida girl
7 years post!!
Forida girlNovember 5, 2019
$600
I came back on here tonight after many years.I thought I would update my story for all those still suffering. It is funny how botox has a 96 % worth it rating now.I see so many of the same stories that were my normal many years ago when I was suffering on a day to day basis. That percentage seems way off? Anyways,for all you who are suffering,I am so sorry.
I know what it is like,believe me I do.i was in a dark place for so many years.i made a real friend on RS who was always available to me and I credit her for saving my life on my darkest days. It is now over 7 years since my nightmare and i am so much better! This is the good news you all need to hear!.i got better ,but it was painfully slow.my experience was full of ups and downs.id see improvements ,then see negative changes in my face.It took a long time to be comfortable and see my old face again.I'd have to say it was a good 4 years.i still believe I look a little different than if I never touched the poison,but i try and not dwell On it.i am ok now.i want you to all know this .you will get better.hold off on surgery. Give your body time to heal.it takes a very long time.learn from this .live a healthy ,natural life. I still am doing Carolyn's facial fitness to keep my facial muscles strong. That is what you want to do to keep your face firm. I hope this update gives you all hope.hugs to all suffering. Xo
I know what it is like,believe me I do.i was in a dark place for so many years.i made a real friend on RS who was always available to me and I credit her for saving my life on my darkest days. It is now over 7 years since my nightmare and i am so much better! This is the good news you all need to hear!.i got better ,but it was painfully slow.my experience was full of ups and downs.id see improvements ,then see negative changes in my face.It took a long time to be comfortable and see my old face again.I'd have to say it was a good 4 years.i still believe I look a little different than if I never touched the poison,but i try and not dwell On it.i am ok now.i want you to all know this .you will get better.hold off on surgery. Give your body time to heal.it takes a very long time.learn from this .live a healthy ,natural life. I still am doing Carolyn's facial fitness to keep my facial muscles strong. That is what you want to do to keep your face firm. I hope this update gives you all hope.hugs to all suffering. Xo
UPDATED FROM Forida girl
Almost 25 weeks now and it is still a roller...
Forida girlDecember 28, 2012
Almost 25 weeks now and it is still a roller coaseter ride w/ good days followed by bad days. I still have cheek ptsosis and lack of muscle tone on my left side of my face, from under my eye to the bottom of my nose, with saggy , wrinkly skin that slopes downwards. Now my forehead is looking worse and I thought it was going to stay the way it was. The skin between my eyebrows is puffy and I can actually see the injection spots where I was given the botox in my glabella area. They are raised dots...crazy. My right upper brow is now falling inwards giving me almost an "11" look which I DID NOT have before. I push it up and it just falls towards the center above my nose. This is really depressing to me . I thought I was only dealing with my saggy,baggy eyes and cheek, but now this happens. My skin quality is horrible,too, even though I drink a gallon of water a day and eat clean all the time. I am thinking about starting Retin A to improve my skin quality/tone and thickness. I am also rubbing/ massaging my loose forehead skin . Saga continues. I looked back at my "before" pictures this morning and wanted to cry. Hope everyone is doing well. xo
Replies (3)
December 28, 2012
:( I am also going on 25 weeks and experiencing something similar. I understand what you mean about the "roller coaster". It seems like every day I wake up with a new face, none of which are mine.
Try to be as careful as you can about rubbing/massaging the loose skin. I have a University of Michigan doctor working with me that has been extremely helpful & realistic with me about the botox destroying my face. He asked if I was massaging my face and I said yes, lightly. I heard it increases blood flow & speeds up healing. He slapped my hand & said "No more! Your skin is too delicate.. you'll wind up stretching it no matter how gentle you think you are. If you stretch it too much, that will be permanent. " I trust him completely and feel he is truly giving me the best advice. If he would have said surgery would fix me - I would have handed him $10,000 on the spot (I had another surgeon try to get me to do an upper/lower bleph/ and filler) - but he is adamant that time is the only cure. He sells pricey medical grade face serums/creams at his office (Including retinal A treatments) so I asked about them - but he flat out told me he wouldn't sell them to me because they wouldn't help. My desperation is quite obvious, but he did not take advantage. He told me over and over that time is my only cure and that any attempts to speed up the process could likely backfire. He told me do not do facial exercises (I had purchased Carolyns Facial Fitness) for several more months. His explanation was that my muscles that were affected by botox are NOT going to respond properly, so my other muscles will be forced to compensate - which can worsen my face. So, I have been doing nothing. I feel so helpless. Our poor faces :'(.
I like to think the changes we are going through (though mostly bad) are a sign that our faces are trying to heal. 3 days ago, I looked kind of ok... today I look like droopy dog with my cheeks hanging down, eyes baggy, and upper lids puffing out. It is so easy to get discouraged, but I think we must focus on the good days. I started taking pictures on my good days to remind myself that my face DOES change. Maybe that could help you too. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for you.
P.S. The best facial care products I have found are from a company called Shea Terra Organics. The rose hips and black soap facial was is amazing and I swear by it. Prior to botox, I ran a huge beauty company and tried every product under the sun - but none compared to Shea Terra. I also found that using self tanner on my face helped my skin look better - because mine looks awful also. The best I have found is Amber Sun Faces by Norvell (I used to own a tanning salon years ago). I hope this helps
December 29, 2012
KM!!! :)It is so good to hear from you. What makes me happiest is to hear that you are having ok days and to also hear that you have found a really great Dr. who is honest with you. I am really happy for you that he is giving you guidance and advice and not trying to sell or recommend surgery for you. Thank you so much for sharing what he has told you. I have been doing facial massage/exercises for months now!:( Now, I am going to stop and pray that I haven't distorted my face further. Thank you for asking about the retinol products. You may have read that I was thinking about starting it up again( I used it before and had great results), but now I will hold off. I do take pictures of myself when I am having a "good day" . With good lighting and a good angle, it's reassuring to look at my picture and almost see me again! I just updated my fb picture which I hadn't done in ages. I have tried a ton of facial products on this journey. I was into Estee Lauder for a bit. I like the Perfectionist CP+R. I just dot it under my eyes and it sort of fills the lines in..too much and it looks better. I had read the Olay daily regenerist serum unscented gets really get reviews. I bought it and used it for 4 days. I used it this morning and have come to the conclusion that it makes my undereye look worse. So, tonight after my shower I used my perfecctionist again and I look better. I am always open to trying something new, so when I am done typing this, I am goins to google the products you suggested. Thank you. I have to say that you sound much better and more positive than you have in the past. It makes me happy and less worried about you. I know how this can make you feel like your world is caving in and there is no way out.It's the good days that make you realize that this might just pass and we'll be ok in the end. It's really good to talk to you. I mean it. Thank you for sharing your story. I will follolw the advice you gave me. :)
December 28, 2012
:( I am also going on 25 weeks and experiencing something similar. I understand what you mean about the "roller coaster". It seems like every day I wake up with a new face, none of which are mine.
Try to be as careful as you can about rubbing/massaging the loose skin. I have a University of Michigan doctor working with me that has been extremely helpful & realistic with me about the botox destroying my face. He asked if I was massaging my face and I said yes, lightly. I heard it increases blood flow & speeds up healing. He slapped my hand & said "No more! Your skin is too delicate.. you'll wind up stretching it no matter how gentle you think you are. If you stretch it too much, that will be permanent. " I trust him completely and feel he is truly giving me the best advice. If he would have said surgery would fix me - I would have handed him $10,000 on the spot (I had another surgeon try to get me to do an upper/lower bleph/ and filler) - but he is adamant that time is the only cure. He sells pricey medical grade face serums/creams at his office (Including retinal A treatments) so I asked about them - but he flat out told me he wouldn't sell them to me because they wouldn't help. My desperation is quite obvious, but he did not take advantage. He told me over and over that time is my only cure and that any attempts to speed up the process could likely backfire. He told me do not do facial exercises (I had purchased Carolyns Facial Fitness) for several more months. His explanation was that my muscles that were affected by botox are NOT going to respond properly, so my other muscles will be forced to compensate - which can worsen my face. So, I have been doing nothing. I feel so helpless. Our poor faces :'(.
I like to think the changes we are going through (though mostly bad) are a sign that our faces are trying to heal. 3 days ago, I looked kind of ok... today I look like droopy dog with my cheeks hanging down, eyes baggy, and upper lids puffing out. It is so easy to get discouraged, but I think we must focus on the good days. I started taking pictures on my good days to remind myself that my face DOES change. Maybe that could help you too. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for you.
P.S. The best facial care products I have found are from a company called Shea Terra Organics. The rose hips and black soap facial was is amazing and I swear by it. Prior to botox, I ran a huge beauty company and tried every product under the sun - but none compared to Shea Terra. I also found that using self tanner on my face helped my skin look better - because mine looks awful also. The best I have found is Amber Sun Faces by Norvell (I used to own a tanning salon years ago). I hope this helps
May 2, 2016
I know it has been years since this post, but was just concerned after reading this and hope you are better. Please let me know if you happen to read this. Hoping you are so much better!!!
UPDATED FROM Forida girl
Update as of 23 weeks post botox.. I wanted to...
Forida girlDecember 16, 2012
update as of 23 weeks post botox.. I wanted to update my review/experience for anyone who stumbles upon this and can relate. I had been dealing with a left eye issue as far as sagginess and bags goes until about a week ago when I noticed that above my brows(especially over my left one) I have arches(muscles) that are constantly elevated. throw that ontop of my baggy,crepey eye and bam..it is not pretty and I am pretty sad. I have been sick this past week and avoiding all medicine in fear that it will make me look worse. Tough week not being able to work out and look a little better after each workout/cardio session. I just got back from grocery shopping and like I always do, look at older women in their 50's and up who look better than me right now. Depressing. I guess this is all just part of . I have been thinking about going to my plastic surgeon for just a consult, but am holding off because I am scared I might collapse mentally and wind up getting more of this toxin like I did 23 weeks ago. God give me strength. I am trying to be more than just my looks and remind myself that there are so many out there who are so much worse off than I am. It will wear off ...It has to. I find myself sometimes feeling like my old self and pretty, but sadly am reminded of my reality like when I pass a mirror and . Sigh...
Replies (1)
December 21, 2012
Flgirl - please don't get more botox. I'm suffering right along side of you. I'm also on week 23 and looking positively hideous. I was always active & pretty, like you. That me is dead and it is heartbreaking. I'm like a zombie pushing through the notions of life. I have became a recluse. Because we have had bad botox results, we are at a MUCH higher risk of having another (if we are ever lucky enough to recover from this round.) There are no medical studies to show the long term side effects of multiple botox uses. It's literally russian roulette with our faces. However, botox IS accumulative and it actually causes atrophy of the muscles. Think about if you put your arm in a cast and paralyzed it for months, eventually that muscle would waste away. There are also unreleased studies showing botox actually turns healthy muscle into flaccid fat. If you go back again, your muscles may completely collapse and NEVER recover. Stay strong. I'm suffering right at your side, ugly and poisoned.
December 21, 2012
KaelynsMom, I thought this Q&A might interest you since it discusses that a person is not at a higher risk for having a bad outcome if the problem is injection technique (such as drooping) and the person opts to go to a different injector of course:
Will I Always Get a Droopy Eyelid when I Get Botox? Does It Continue?
December 21, 2012
Hi, Kaelyns Mom, I have followed your story and have seen your pictures. I am so sorry for everything that you are going through. I understand and am right here with you. I am holding off on doing anything further to my face. I am determined and trying to be optimistic that I will get my old face back. I have had 3 treatments since Nov 2011, so my poor little face is struggling to get back to normal. You will get better from this. I know so by reading everyone's story on realself. It can just take time and feel like forever when you arfe living it. Each day is a struggle, I know. When I get into bed at night, I am relieved to have made it through another day..another day closer to being recovered:) . I normally love this time of year, but this year is different and I am not into the spirit ..I can't wait until this is all behind us . I will never take the body & face that God gave me for granted and want to tweek it to make it flawless. I am here with you through this journey. xo
December 22, 2012
My last post was deleted. This happens everytime I raise points that are extremely vaild, factual, and cannot be argued. Someone on realself works VERY hard to keep me from being able to help people on here learn the truth and seek remedies. Very shady.
Anyhow, I looked at the link. The doctors that are saying people whom have had a bad reaction are not at a higher risk for having another bad side effect are GUESSING. They do NOT know. There is NO medical data or studies for them to come to this conclusion. I personally contacted Allergan and they confirmed this. If anyone doesn't believe me, call Allergan and ask yourself.
There are NO clinical stuides or medical documentation to say what happens to our muscles with repeat usage of botox. These doctors are gambling with our health.
Botox is deemed safe because of irresponsibly published studies with faulty data. The doctors mentioned in the botox studies are from overseas and are NOT licensed to even practice here in the USA.
I posted tons more of factual data from classified documents, but obviously someone on this site did not want me to be able to share this information. Contact me privately. I will happily forward you legal documents and even my own personal medical documents. Whatever you need. Once you know what I know, you will be shocked and sickened.
December 22, 2012
Kaelynsmom, your last post was removed as concern was raised by the community about the content. As we have discussed privately, there is a community guideline prohibiting agendas, and continually posting the same information is seen as an agenda. The guidelines are in place to help keep RealSelf a place where people can find balanced information on the pros and cons of a treatment. That is why an agenda is detrimental to the community as a whole, and not seen as beneficial by other members.
I have reviewed your postings but found no data from classified documents. If you have those documents and are willing to post them in the community, please do so. We are all here to learn and share.
December 23, 2012
I have no "hidden agenda". That's silly. I am suffering, just like thousands of others, only I have been fortunate enough to find a support system that offered me real help for the life destroying problems botox caused. I am only trying to help others that are in the same helpless position I was in. I have nothing to gain personally.
Tons of women have had their faces disfigured, lifes forever changed, and had HUGE monetary losses from botox damage. I have information that can help them recover lost wages/medical bills - so I am here to share what I have learned.
Believe me, when you are out thousands in medical bills, thousands in lost wages, and have a face that looks like it was ran through a lawn mower - having someone that can connect you with doctors that will offer explainations, documents from Allergan that will help validate the symptoms they are suffering from (because we are used to getting the run around with doctors), and other professionals who have soulutions for how they can possibly help recover from their losses - it is VERY helpful.
As for the data, I am happy to post it and I will gladly post my own personal medical records from my doctor - if it helps anyone. How do I do that without another private email warning I'll be blocked?
Can I upload documents & images?
December 23, 2012
It was not said that you have a "hidden agenda" but that RealSelf is not the appropriate place for any kind of agenda, as it detracts from the community more than it adds. Since you opted not to reply to the private message I sent to you, but rather to post your reply in comments I will have Community Support contact you to discuss this further. Because these comments are on another user's review I'm going to request we move this conversation back to the topic of that person's review, out of respect for their review, all others on this thread, and for those who will be looking to that review for information in the future.
Replies (5)