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POSTED UNDER Sculptra REVIEWS

69 and Oh So Fine! Sculptra is my Drug of Choice! - Houston, TX

ORIGINAL POST

I turned to Sculptra to restore facial fullness...

LexusLori
WORTH IT$1,600
I turned to Sculptra to restore facial fullness about 2 years ago. I'd had a face lift at 62 and had tried other fillers in specific areas but nothing addressed all areas of my face as I aged. I turned to my plastic surgeons' right-hand person, Renee Arriaga, and she recommended Sculptra. She is an artist with the needle! You can see the outstanding results in the photo. I had 2 vials injected yesterday so am a little swollen. I do need regular touchups at 6-9 months but I'm hooked! It's a fantastic product in the hands of the right practitioner. I'm usually thought to be in my 50's which thrills me to death.

LexusLori's provider

Renee Arriaga, FNP

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Renee Arriaga, FNP, at My Medispa in the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery, has an artist's eye and applies it to her craft. She determines which areas need fullness, areas no one else has ever addressed with fillers, such as my temple area and my jaw line as well as the traditional areas under the eyes and in the cheeks. The results are amazing and well worth braving Houston traffic to get to her! I'm appalled at the reviews I read from other members who've had bad experiences with Sculptra

Replies (53)

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August 1, 2015

Hi LexusLori, thank you for posting! You look amazing, definitely not 69!

What is it specifically about Sculptra that you like over other fillers? Does it last longer?

August 1, 2015
Yes, it lasts longer and is actually cheaper. I pay $800/vial and get 6/7 syringes/vial. Fillers like Voluma are $800/syringe. Sculptors does take awhile to build the fullness so it's not instant gratification like the hyaluronic fillers. You also have to massage your face for the first 5 days. But look at the results. I'll never go back to Resylane, Juvederm, or Radiesse. Thanks for your question!
August 1, 2015
Sorry for the typos above. I was on my iPhone and I wasn't paying attention to the auto-completes.
August 1, 2015
where does she inject the sculptra? Cheekbones I'm guessing. But other areas? BTW you do look amazing and youthful.
August 1, 2015
She injects in areas that need fullness, areas that I had never thought about. This time she injected in the temple area on both sides, under my eyes (which tend to get a sunken look), the hollows of my cheeks, nasal labial area, and jawline on either side of my chin. Other times she's injected on either side of my chin just outside and below my lips and also along the jawline just below my ear lobes. The idea is to keep the face round and full. With 6/7 syringes per vial she can cover a lot of areas. I had 2 vials this time. Sometimes I only need 1. Thank you for the compliment!
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August 2, 2015
You look amazing, I am having two vials, next week then another two a few weeks later, I have not had it before and am a little aprihensive about how long it will take for the swelling to go down on the first time ? I have tried fillers in the past but they just seem to get absorbed into my skin within a month so not worth the money so I am really hoping this will start to work and it does look great on you
August 2, 2015
I don't recall anyone commenting on any swelling I had for any of my injections, even the first ones. I could see it but no one else seemed to. You will actually love the way you look right after the injections because the areas are filled in. Once the swelling subsides, in a few days, it takes awhile for the product to build back up. I also absorb other fillers fast. I think it's because I do a lot of cardio.

I needed 5 vials to build my base back in 2013. 2 vials (12/14 syringes) in April, 2 vials 6 weeks later, 1 vial 6 weeks later. Since then I check in with Renee every 6 months or so and usually need 1 vial. This past week I needed 2 vials because I had gone almost 10 months - my bad!!! But at $800/vial it's a bargain because you get 6/7 syringes of filler/vial.

And it's important to have a skilled practitioner like Renee. I'm appalled at the comments I see about lumps and poor results that other people experience because it's a terrific product. Good luck with your treatments!
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August 3, 2015
Thank you for that, I hope that like you its not too noticeable, I feel better now x
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August 9, 2015
I had two vials yesterday, looked a bit like a chipmunk for 20mind, then fine, went out yesterday eve so all good, bit sore to massage. So you where quite right, the swelling was very minimal in comparison to my imagination of having horrendous swelling, I look completely normal now. Fingers crossed thus will work, next appointment 7 weeks.
August 9, 2015
I'm so glad you let me know!! Yes, there is soreness but I religiously massage for the first 5 days to do my part in getting a good result. Once you build your base it's important to keep it up. Very excited for you to see your results!!!
August 3, 2015

Your face does not look natural. Did your cheeks deflate a bit as time went by?

August 3, 2015
I just posted a photo 3-days post injections which might help to answer your question. Keep in mind that I took the photos on my iPhone and the angle can make a difference and so can the lighting.
November 6, 2015
I agree with you!
August 4, 2015
Looks great on day 3 especially.
August 4, 2015
I was around my girlfriends the day after my injections and they didn't notice the swelling until I mentioned it even though you can clearly see it in the photo. So, in person it might not be as obvious. I have a skilled injector which is why I'm so high on the product. Thanks for your feedback.
UPDATED FROM LexusLori
3 days post

3-days after Sculptra injections

LexusLori
I thought I'd add a photo 3-days after the Sculptra injections. I tried to take it from the same angle but these iPhone photos are tricky. Any closer and my features warp. Tomorrow is my last day to massage.

Replies (8)

August 9, 2015
I thought Sculptra will take a while to see results .. over 3 times injection over a few months . I myself have done sculptra , I don't see immediate results.
August 9, 2015
I got swelling right after the injections. One member made a comment about it which is why I posted the photo 3 days after. My swelling wasn't noticeable in person but the photo exaggerated it. The initial swelling goes down pretty quickly and it does take awhile to get the more permanent results.
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August 18, 2015
Can you post some photos at the 6_8 week mark ? And let us know how you are doing ? Thanks
August 25, 2015
Will do. I'm almost 4 weeks out and I can see more fullness under my eyes in particular. I had a lower bleph about 20 years ago when they took most of the fat out so I get a sunken under eye. That's when I go in for a touch up. Renee sees the other areas that need filling in but I focus on my eyes.
August 18, 2015
Wow! You look great! I'm considering Sculptra, as I've had Juvederm and Radiesse but now I want something that lasts a little longer.
August 25, 2015
Yes, I tried Juvederm and Radiesse too and they seemed to focus on specific areas but not fullness overall. I also exercise a lot which one of my previous injectors said probably used up those other fillers more quickly. Sculptra works differently and is definitely longer lasting.
August 13, 2016
Sculptra always looks good after a few days since you are still swollen from the injections. My Dr. was the best, it was just not long lasting, and a very expensive procedure to go through with results that did not last. This was my experience with it.
August 13, 2016
I think Sculptra is pretty cost effective. I spend $800 on one vial and get 7+ syringes. That many syringes of Restylane or Juvederm would cost around $5K. I agree that it doesn't last the 2 years as advertised.
UPDATED FROM LexusLori
25 days post

Almost 4 weeks after Sculptra injections

LexusLori
I can see more fullness under my eyes which I'm excited about. The injections in my chin, lower cheek and temple areas are filling in slightly too. I have deep Marionette lines but probably won't do any other filler there until I see the full results at 6-8 weeks.

Replies (15)

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August 25, 2015
Your face looks fuller and smother in a youthful way, looks nice. There seems to be some quite mixed reviews on this, I had my first two viles just over two weeks ago, so good so far
October 8, 2015
You should be around your maximum fullness now. How's it going?
September 13, 2015
You look phenomenal!!!
September 13, 2015
Did you read the reviews for Sculptra before trying it?
October 8, 2015
I didn't know about Realself the first time I tried Sculptra but I had used Renee for other fillers in the past and trusted her completely. She works for the plastic surgeon who did my face lift in '08 and I trust their practice. Fortunately, she also has an artist's eye so she has worked wonders on me. I think there are doctors out there who don't mix the product properly or let is set for the required period of time. You need to massage your face 5 times a day for 5 days after you get the injections and maybe some people don't follow through on that part.
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September 28, 2015
You are not 69! I looked at you over & over and you look 20 years younger. How are you liking the Sculptra? Are you having any days where you look more deflated and does staying hydrated make a difference?
October 8, 2015
I'd post my drivers license to prove my age but probably not a good idea from an identity theft perspective. I really love Sculptra and have not noticed any kind of daily fluctuation in deflation. I'm an avid water drinker because I exercise about 6 hours a week and it's just become a habit. I think the secret with Sculptra is to find an expert injector and, if you're lucky, an artist. Renee injects me in the areas that she thinks need fullness and not ones I would even think about - my temples, around my jaw line - as well as the regular areas. I have pretty deep marionette lines on either side of my mouth and she rarely injects them. Instead she focuses on my cheeks, outside the marionette lines and around my mouth. My face lift is over 7 years old so and I've tried other fillers but they do spot corrections and are not the solution for overall fullness. I hope you find someone like Renee!
November 19, 2015
your face looks done
November 21, 2015
hate that chipmuck look-Renee likes to overfill-$$$
January 2, 2016
You look terrific. Unfortunately, there are some people who are afraid of everything and will always grow old. You look great. I will try it.
ANd the lasting part is what I like one year would be great. But to get better as days go on is an understatement for you. Congradulations, your like a fine wine, better with time. I am going to the same doctor. Just had Halo Laser which is a very mild lift in tone of skin and it was actually fun to be a little sunburn for a few daysl I like it but 2 grand a shot every 6 months would be silly. The results are nice. But I had no wrinkles. So it just brightened my life up a little. My cheeks are OK because of fat added years ago. But this is a great new way, Sculptra. thank you for sharing and best life ever to you and your family.
January 2, 2016
Thank you for your positive comment as I close in on my 70th birthday. I want to look as vital and energetic as I feel and applaud anyone who takes care of themselves too. Yes, you have to have the financial resources in order to take advantage of both the surgical and non-surgical procedures but feeling good about the way you look affects your whole outlook on life. Try Sculptra, you won't regret it. All the best to you and yours too!!
January 3, 2016
I'm going to. I want some extra full ness in cheeks. I'm not afraid.
I will check into it this week. You are a smart women. Your smart because you don't just think about things but you do it and try it. Thanks again for sharing.