Lip Lift 6/22

7/30/21 - 38 Days Post Op

I added a bunch of pictures I've taken over the past 40ish days. Most I pulled from my instagram where they have more detailed captions. You can see how little pink lip show I had before the LL and just how long my philtrum was. Hopefully these pics also show you just how swollen you get, nothing you can't handle but a friend who had a LL prior advised to keep mirror time to a minimum in the early stages of healing and I 100% agree. I had a mini freakout Day 2&3 about how wide my nostrils looked and how A frame my upper lip was but it is just so early to judge it then. Almost 40 days later the shape has changed quite a bit, the swelling has gone down significantly, and my nostrils are like 95% of the way there. I'll continue to update as time goes!

So I want to start off by saying I heavily researched numerous doctors across the country, I didn't want to take lightly who I picked to cut into my face. I ultimately decided on Linkov because he came across as the most honest and genuine, in terms of bedside manner but also what would be achievable for me. Finding a kind and honest Dr was a priority for me, along with good B&A pictures and scar show.
Surgery was on 6/22 but I flew in a week earlier to completely dissolve my top filler - which I highly recommend doing. I wanted to give Linkov a blank canvas and also I did have some filler that had migrated above my lip. The day of the surgery I felt really calm and like I was in great hands - thanks to both Dr. Linkov and his super sweet nurse Gloria (she's the best nurse Dr.Linkov, great job!). I measured at 18mm and he removed 6mm. The worst the pain got was a 6/10 a few hours after surgery but I took one painkiller and was fine.
Biggest cons: the healing isn't something you can take a week off of work and be done. The worst of the swelling lasted 10 days or so, my speech was affected for 20 days (even now 4 weeks post I struggle with b's and p's) I still can't properly smile or laugh big, I can't use a straw or take big bites of food like burgers (this is mainly due to the internal stitches that haven't dissolved, probably won't until 3mo. post). Luckily I work from home but I don't know how comfortable i would feel going into an office without a mask or even on a date. Also don't forget the scar, it's still early days for me so I can't comment on the scar just yet but so far I am really happy with it!
Biggest pros: increased tooth show, more pink lip showing, addresses shape which filler can only do so much. When I would get filler I wanted it to do what a lip lift could only do. I would end up with more volume but less tooth show, a long philtrum still, migrated filler, and temporary results.
I know the cons list is looks much longer than the pros but I am so happy with my results and I don't regret a thing. The results Linkov was able to achieve made it totally worth it and changed my lip shape completely.
I'll upload pictures soon, but I also made an insta dedicated to the healing process, originally it was meant as a personal journal but I realized there's not that much content out there that shows you the day by day of healing. I posted daily for the first 4 weeks or so and will continue adding updates as the healing progresses!
@misssourdoughgoesplastic
Thank you Gloria and Bianca! And a huge thank you to Dr. Linkov!