Subtle & amazing

After years of doing filler (then dissolving...see my other review!) and wondering why I could never achieve the look I wanted of a lifted upper lift, I was introduced to Dr. Mascró and the lip lift. This seemed to be exactly what I needed! Eagerly booked my consult in March, and got in the books for July.

Had my surgery appointment at 9am with Dr. Mascaro. Arrived 15 min early, which was very easy staying at the Courtyard Marriot Delray (highly recommend! Extremely spacious rooms, brand new, very clean, and really comfortable beds — I’m picky!). Went in to take photos and then Dr. Mascaro showed my options of how high to go. I went with my gut, which was the least aggressive option.
Nerves started to kick in, and luckily was time for the Diazepam (this is optional). I went to the surgical area to change into the gown (I wore leggings and a tank top, comfy — they provide sticky socks you will wear to the surgical room). Hopped on the table, and they tuck you in with a blanket. Next up is numbing. Yes, it “hurts,” but it’s quick and bearable, and you’re so focused on what’s about to happen that it’s an afterthought. The numbing kicks in quick and makes it feel like your lip has swollen up about 10x the size. Weird!
Surgery took about an hour. Dr. Mascaro and his assistants were friendly and chatting with each other throughout. You are wearing an eye mask, and about 1/2 way through the procedure I finally felt the anxiety meds kick in, so at that point I finally started to relax. In terms of sensation, it feels like pressure and “tugging,” which of course is weird, but certainly not painful.
After the procedure they gave me post-op instructions and sent me on my way, which meant resting back at the hotel. I was starving after surgery and ordered in an Acai bowl, which was easy to eat (no puckering your mouth, though!). Pain was very manageable, but I did need to take Tylenol in addition to the Meloxicam, since I was still feeling some little twinges. Definitely recommend buying some extra strength Tylenol just in case!
The first few hours after surgery I started to panic a bit. The scar at first looks a bit scary, and I wondered why I had committed myself to no smiling/laughing/kissing (ha) for 3-4 weeks! Luckily, I felt my mouth looked beautiful already. So those concerns dissipated quickly. Mascaro’s #1 tip is to ice all day the first 2-3 days, which I tried to do. I had a slight blue bruise above my lip, but swelling was very minimal.
Days 2-4 were just more of the same - resting, icing, and trying not to talk too much (I probably did anyways). Every day felt the scar was improving, but still of course red and healing. Stopped taking pain meds/Tylenol after day 3. Also made sure to sleep with my head elevated and on my back, but after about day 4 I felt I could turn my head to the side and not worry about pressing on the area.
Food recommendations: Acai bowls, sashimi (Osha in Delray was SO good, and quick on Uber Eats), soup, oatmeal, yogurt, fruit, eggs/omelettes. You’re only supposed to eat soft food for 4 days but I “cheated” and had a few rice bowls with cooked salmon, which felt easy to chew (especially if you hold your top lip to keep it from moving and chew with your mouth a bit open….cute).

This morning at 8am was my appointment to have my stitches removed. I was a bit nervous that it would hurt, but it was easy. A little sensitive, but quick. Won’t bore you with aftercare instructions, but the main/hardest ones are - no smiling/laughing for 2 weeks (I hold my cheeks when I can’t help but smile to try and keep from moving my mouth!). COVID is a great time to have this done since you have to wear a mask everywhere anyways :)
Feeling really happy with my results. Eventually I may come back for a corner lift on my right side, where I have always been naturally smaller. In about 4-5 weeks I will probably try a bit of filler (just on the border, Dr. Mascaro said) to see if that fixes it! But knowing how “easy” this procedure is…I wouldn’t be afraid to come back for a corner lift!
Posting pictures of my before and after. Filler just never got me the vertical lift I needed. I was conservative with the amount removed, but I feel it’s made a huge difference to my face and feeling just overall cuter. I can’t wait to get just a small amount of filler to really make it pop, but I certainly don’t think I “need” it anyways. I’m too shy to post a full face picture, but hopefully you can see the difference in my lower face proportions :)
Thank you, Dr. Mascaro! I wouldn’t go to ANYONE else. His technique (especially when it comes to the incision) is incomparable. And price is 1/3 of what you would pay for a less talented surgeon in Beverly Hills or elsewhere. Worth the trip to Delray, 100000%.