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Recovering from a Lip Lift
A few years ago I started recognizing that I had an unusually long upper lip (hereditary), despite okay tooth show and a wide, full smile. I became a bit fixated on this feature and began realizing that most people had much smaller upper lips. I was feeling very insecure about this, and it became a source of unhappiness for me.
After decent amounts of research, I booked my procedure with a trusted and reputable doctor in July, and had surgery on August 6, 2020. My thought process was, during COVID no-one would notice, I could slip in an out and spend a month or two with a mask on. From what I'd read online (through my surgeon's website, a few clinic's I'd compared, and RealSelf reviews) this seemed like a minor procedure with minimum recovery (5-7 days downtime), 6 weeks till I could expect nice results, and of course, minimum scarring.
I also had emotional considerations. I finished my Masters, got a new job, and considered it time to "level up" my appearance along with my other accomplishments. This was perhaps not the healthiest thinking...
When I woke up from surgery I was a bit panicked and horrified by how high my lip was. For reference, my upper lip was between 16-17 mm long (slightly asymmetrical) and I only had 4 mm removed, resulting in a philtrum of about 12 mm. I know the math does not add up, but this is due to the suturing process, I believe. Immediately after surgery my lip felt attached to my nose and I looked like a ridiculous woodland creature. The nurse and my surgeon reassured me this was normal and I went home to rest.
A few days later my anxiety and nerves got the best of me and I had what was a near nervous breakdown - due to other stresses, but largely because I was concerned I'd disfigured myself and feeling very ashamed. Luckily my dear friend was able to comfort me and talk me down. I was worried I'd never close my mouth, speak properly or look normal. I was concerned it was a "botched" surgery. And of course, I'd paid for this, and done it out of "vanity" - in my self-critical mind.
The following day, my surgeon reassured me that I would heal, regain control of my upper lip, and look better day by day. He understood my anxiety and was very helpful, removing the stitches after 7 days. He also explained that I looked so tense due to botox he'd injected in the area to keep me from pulling out my stitches, and that it would dissolve in a few months. The following week I returned for some steroid shots and a check in. Again, a very attentive and understanding experience. Naturally, I have expressed concern to my surgeon, but not the full depth of my distress. He is good at his job and I elected to have this surgery.
I recently had my 4 week appointment, and my surgeon assisted with more steroids and help removing some of the internal sutures that had poked up through my skin. Again he reassured me that mobility issues were largely due to botox (I can't close my mouth in a natural way or rub my lips together... and frankly giving a blow job would be a nightmare right now). I trust this, but I am still anxious about the results. I have a major bunny look right now, and catching my reflection in the mirror drives me crazy. We made an appointment for the end of September to laser the scar, which is only healing so-so (likely due to my anxiety). To me, this feels like a giant wound under my face or seams tying me together. I feel that when the scar heals, I will feel less dehumanized somehow. (Haha! This is one emotional review, ladies and gentleman, bear with me...) I am also experiencing slight asymmetry as one side of my lip line is more swollen then the other -- something my surgeon is watching closely.
Though it is getting better week by week, I significantly underestimated the physical and emotional recovery time for a procedure like this. Many people have expressed how beautiful they found me "before" - which is not helpful to my psyche. I can tell my family is a bit shocked and judgemental, despite their support. All of my friends are kind and understanding of my reasoning, but I don't think a single person thinks I look better at present.
Because I recognize my distress and the degree I feel anxious about my recovery and looks, I made an appointment to see a psychologist, and also signed up for meditation courses. I am working to heal my psychological state of anxiety building prior to and after this procedure along with the physical recovery.
I thought I was a well informed, stable patient, but it turns out I am not. :) I am grateful to my surgeon, my supports, my family and my friends, and I'm really hopeful my results are closer to my vision in the coming month or two. The recovery from this procedure is long and painfully gradual.
I am not going to post photos today, but I will eventually. I am a bit too raw. Also, I will not disclose my surgeon until the final results are revealed. If you have had a similar experience or have words of advice/wisdom, feel free to share.
After decent amounts of research, I booked my procedure with a trusted and reputable doctor in July, and had surgery on August 6, 2020. My thought process was, during COVID no-one would notice, I could slip in an out and spend a month or two with a mask on. From what I'd read online (through my surgeon's website, a few clinic's I'd compared, and RealSelf reviews) this seemed like a minor procedure with minimum recovery (5-7 days downtime), 6 weeks till I could expect nice results, and of course, minimum scarring.
I also had emotional considerations. I finished my Masters, got a new job, and considered it time to "level up" my appearance along with my other accomplishments. This was perhaps not the healthiest thinking...
When I woke up from surgery I was a bit panicked and horrified by how high my lip was. For reference, my upper lip was between 16-17 mm long (slightly asymmetrical) and I only had 4 mm removed, resulting in a philtrum of about 12 mm. I know the math does not add up, but this is due to the suturing process, I believe. Immediately after surgery my lip felt attached to my nose and I looked like a ridiculous woodland creature. The nurse and my surgeon reassured me this was normal and I went home to rest.
A few days later my anxiety and nerves got the best of me and I had what was a near nervous breakdown - due to other stresses, but largely because I was concerned I'd disfigured myself and feeling very ashamed. Luckily my dear friend was able to comfort me and talk me down. I was worried I'd never close my mouth, speak properly or look normal. I was concerned it was a "botched" surgery. And of course, I'd paid for this, and done it out of "vanity" - in my self-critical mind.
The following day, my surgeon reassured me that I would heal, regain control of my upper lip, and look better day by day. He understood my anxiety and was very helpful, removing the stitches after 7 days. He also explained that I looked so tense due to botox he'd injected in the area to keep me from pulling out my stitches, and that it would dissolve in a few months. The following week I returned for some steroid shots and a check in. Again, a very attentive and understanding experience. Naturally, I have expressed concern to my surgeon, but not the full depth of my distress. He is good at his job and I elected to have this surgery.
I recently had my 4 week appointment, and my surgeon assisted with more steroids and help removing some of the internal sutures that had poked up through my skin. Again he reassured me that mobility issues were largely due to botox (I can't close my mouth in a natural way or rub my lips together... and frankly giving a blow job would be a nightmare right now). I trust this, but I am still anxious about the results. I have a major bunny look right now, and catching my reflection in the mirror drives me crazy. We made an appointment for the end of September to laser the scar, which is only healing so-so (likely due to my anxiety). To me, this feels like a giant wound under my face or seams tying me together. I feel that when the scar heals, I will feel less dehumanized somehow. (Haha! This is one emotional review, ladies and gentleman, bear with me...) I am also experiencing slight asymmetry as one side of my lip line is more swollen then the other -- something my surgeon is watching closely.
Though it is getting better week by week, I significantly underestimated the physical and emotional recovery time for a procedure like this. Many people have expressed how beautiful they found me "before" - which is not helpful to my psyche. I can tell my family is a bit shocked and judgemental, despite their support. All of my friends are kind and understanding of my reasoning, but I don't think a single person thinks I look better at present.
Because I recognize my distress and the degree I feel anxious about my recovery and looks, I made an appointment to see a psychologist, and also signed up for meditation courses. I am working to heal my psychological state of anxiety building prior to and after this procedure along with the physical recovery.
I thought I was a well informed, stable patient, but it turns out I am not. :) I am grateful to my surgeon, my supports, my family and my friends, and I'm really hopeful my results are closer to my vision in the coming month or two. The recovery from this procedure is long and painfully gradual.
I am not going to post photos today, but I will eventually. I am a bit too raw. Also, I will not disclose my surgeon until the final results are revealed. If you have had a similar experience or have words of advice/wisdom, feel free to share.