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POSTED UNDER Lip Lift REVIEWS

Rollercoaster Lip Lift

ORIGINAL POST

Hey everyone, man oh man oh man. Where do I start...

beatricemars
$2,800
Hey everyone, man oh man oh man.
Where do I start off?
Okay, so I've always had thick lips since I was a kid, only the lower one though, the top seemed to be having trouble keeping up. By the time I reached adolescence it caught up and I was like "oh cool". Around college, I noticed something a little off about my face (other than my huge forehead). When I looked closely at my photos and relatives, BAM. There it is, a huge philtrum. I thought it was silly to get a lip lift, since I'm still young, so I opted for lip injections on my upper-lip to balance it out. I did a "lip flip". It lasted me an okay amount of time, and I liked it but it still didn't fix the length between my nose and upper-lip. SO!
I heard that in South Korea, it was all the rage, but didn't really have enough time to travel and whatnot. I decided to go on Real Self and research some doctors here and there.
I contacted about 4- 5 doctors who seemed reputable. Never got to talk to Dr. Talei, I spoke to his assistant though that told me that I was a perfect candidate for a lip lift (mind you, I never step foot in his office). They quoted me at $6,100..and I didn't think a lip lift should cost that much. I think essentially, I was going to pay for the area which was Beverly Hills.
Then I consulted with Dr. Mascaro (bless his soul, he was very very nice) and said that since I have a short chin, it looks like I have a really long philtrum.. Which is true, since my philtrum measured at about 1.5cm. I asked if I should get a chin implant and he said "oh no no. that would make your face look a little more masculine".
I then consulted with Dr. Pearson, who said about the same thing, and that I have a small chin, but a conservative liplift would be beneficial to me if I really liked the look. (Bless him too, he's a very sweet guy and you all should check him out).
I even consulted with Dr. Osuch from Poland, and he said I have very nice lips (I think it's because of the fillers) and that I should get a chin implant instead.
Finally, I consulted with Dr. Taylor from Pasadena, and he said I would benefit from it. Pretty much hearing the same thing.
Well, I decided to go with Dr. Taylor, since he was closest and I saw from another person on RealSelf.
Plus everyone there was really nice. But the response time wasn't so great imo.
I did the surgery at 9:15am, waited for a little bit for them to prepare for the operating table.
The doctor told me what was going to go down, and I was excited.
He drew a bit on me and I asked how much he was going to take off, he said. "5mm is typical for a lip lift".
I heard that 1.1cm is pretty much the ideal philtrum length and it will drop a few mm once the swelling goes down / in a couple of months. So I thought "sure".
The shots weren't too bad to be honest, but for some reason the right side of my nose didn't feel affected by the shots at all. At one point, I felt the needle and the knife and laughed nervously.
He tried about 3 times to numb me, and it finally worked and he stitched me up.
(I think this is normal for me, it happened when I was taking out my wisdom teeth too).
Moving forward, we had a nice conversation at the operating table... 5mm seemed to be suffice and I went on my merry way.
Now here's where it gets scary.. hahaha
After getting out of surgery, I was exhausted and in a lot of pain.
I took the pain meds that was prescribed to me and slept like a baby while listening to the lecture I missed. I woke up and decided to clean my wound up a little bit and noticed that the right side of my nose hurt like a betch. And there it is, a missing stitch. It wasn't internal, not sure if it is, but more of an external stitch. When I was cleaning it, it burnt like crazy and when I move it ever so slightly, I can see the skin detaching. I was freaking out.
Anyway, I learned that some people sometimes don't have external stitches so I wasn't too worried until I sneezed and the right side started bleeding.
God it was painful and I don't think it will heal right, just a gut feeling.
It has been a roller coaster for me. I'm supposed to be doing other things to keep my mind off of it but I can't. From Real Self, I've seen people get better in like 5 days, but I don't think that's possible here.
I think my upperlip swelled up a lot more than normal folks... I'm thinking after I get the stitches removed, I'll get those injections to get rid of Juvederm in my lip and that'll make it look more normal.
I hope that
1. it heals quick, with minimal scars
2. my lip will drop
3. my nose returns to its former glory
4. the right side of my nose does not detach from my face..cause it stings like hell and I'm scared.
If you guys experienced something like this, or have any suggestions..let me know.

beatricemars's provider

Thomas S. Taylor, FACS

Thomas S. Taylor, FACS

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

4.9 | 31 Reviews
PROFILE

Replies (6)

February 10, 2018
Wow, Dr. Talei’s office told you $6100? I just called there Thursday (2/8/18) and it looks like his rate continues to skyrocket... my friend’s consult (that she has scheduled for March) cost her $150. When I called the receptionist quoted me $250 for the consult & the first available appointment isn’t til late May. The procedure quote she gave was in the $7300 range.
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February 10, 2018
I didnt experience anything like this, accept the swelling ,but only for like a first week,than gradually kept coming down. Nose was also swollen ,and that took a long time to come down,like over 2 months or so ,so I wouldnt worry about your nose,it will come down.I think your lips look like this maybe cause of the Juvederm,I dont know why the doctor didnt suggest you wait till it dissolves,they all pretty much ask to do it before they touch anything.Either way Im sure once it will disolve it will look pretty,your lips have a very pretty shape .I would keep my eye on the healing,and I would tell your surgeon if what youre experiencing is normal,maybe theres something he can do now to prevent from forming a big scar ,its the front of your face and you look like theres not much space to correct anything later,so ask your surgeon before it gets out of hand,I would.
February 10, 2018
Your lips honestly look hot this is the look I want less swollen but yeah I’m going to Ben T on the 23rd i hope your insision heals well
February 14, 2018
You look great! Bytheway whats Dr Tyler full name I might check him out. Thanks
February 18, 2018
Thomas Taylor:)
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February 21, 2018
Your lips look very swollen to me, maybe within time this will resolve itself. I experienced extreme swelling, as well, and my nostrils look a little distorted. You must address the problem with any stitches that are opening. You want it to heal properly, and avoid any potential of an infection. You have gorgeous plump lips, and a great looking philtrum. I had a verrrry long philtrum, and now it’s just perfect.
UPDATED FROM beatricemars
4 days post

Day 5

beatricemars
Here is day 5.
The side of my nose is still sore and weird.. swelling hasn't really gotten better. My cheeks are super chipmunky

Replies (2)

February 8, 2018
You look good and you will look amazing in a month and breathtaking in 3 months. Just be patient like I was. I never did post any pics , but I had my lip lift last year in June 2017 took off about 5-7 mm and I swelled up just like you. It took 2/4 weeks where I even left the house , but in no time you will be so happy you did it.
February 11, 2018
Thank you so much for your reply. It's starting to look good. Haha for some reason I swell like crazy when I do something (wisdom teeth was the worseeee)....
UPDATED FROM beatricemars
5 days post

Day 6

beatricemars
I'm bleeding from my right side.
And the swelling of the cheeks hasn't gone down. Starting to get nervous. I wear a mask everywhere.

Replies (6)

February 6, 2018
I hear it takes a long time to see final results. I'm sure it will look fantastic. Look forward to seeing your progress
February 7, 2018
Hello dear, yesterday i also did this procedure my lips shortened from 19cm to 10cm , and now iam to afraid if its too short
February 7, 2018
I think it will drop. Just put extra ice on it. Mine dropped a mm or 2.
February 8, 2018
Thank u soo much dear
February 7, 2018
Looks like you're very swollen but don't be nervous the swelling will go down. Be patient.. you're results will be gorgeous!
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February 7, 2018
Looks fab!