POSTED UNDER Lip Implants REVIEWS
Long Process for Lip implants but Worth It! - Richardson, TX
ORIGINAL POST
I decided for my birthday to get lip implants. ...
jnnrmn27July 18, 2016
WORTH IT$3,000
I decided for my birthday to get limp implants. The doctor recommended 4mm top and bottom but I chose to do 5mm top and bottom instead. I based this decision on the many reviews I read saying people regretted the medium size or even that the large wasn't big enough. My lips are on the small side and I wanted to see a difference, but unfortunately the larger size distorted the shape of my lips and smile. Recovery was very difficult I experienced three cold sore outbreaks back to back. I felt like the swelling took 3 months to really go away fully and the implants were very stiff. The 5mm implant doesn't tapper very much so my bottom lip resembled a sausage. It had a fake look about it and it looked awkward when I smiled. The top implant shifted all the time and wasn't long enough. Also in certain lighting it looked like there was a shadow above my lip like a mustache and the corner of the implant (where it begins to tapper) created a little bump on the side of my lip. I finally after 5 months had them replaced with 4mm top and bottom. First surgery cost $1,900 second $1,100 - so in all I paid $3,000. I'm a week out from surgery and doing great! My lips already look perfect - all the issues I had have been resolved with a longer length and smaller implant. I'm writing this for others trying to decide between a 4 or 5mm. Things I wish I'd know:
- length is super important - if the implant doesn't slope down into the corners of your mouth it with distort the shape of your lips and look like a line instead of an arch.
- bigger isn't always better. My lips look %100 better with the medium size. The larger size didn't make my lip area bigger it just kind of extended into the area above my lips - hard to explain but it left a shadow.
- ask Dr what a revision would cost and have him write it in your notes.
- think about the shape and size of your lips not what you wish they were. I personally now believe you have to start with larger lips to pull of the 5mm.
If you're on the fence definetley get Permalip implants - they're a great procedure! I only wish I'd done medium to begin with - would have saved $ and time! Good luck!
jnnrmn27's provider
Replies (4)
UPDATED FROM jnnrmn27
5 months post
Pictures
jnnrmn27July 18, 2016
I just added a few pictures and will add another one once I've completely healed. Notice how my bottom lip with the 5mm looks too stretched and doesn't have a natural pout any longer.
Replies (19)
July 19, 2016
I think your lips look really nice with both the 4mm and 5mm! But I can see what you were saying about the 5mms and stretching length wise. Did they use the same length for both times?
July 19, 2016
Thanks :) it's hard to tell from the picture, but in person it was very pronounced. The doctor used 60mm the first time and 65mm the second time. I really think the length is even more important than the diameter. The medium size has given me more volume and projection and overall it's very subtle. I don't think anyone that doesn't already know me would know I had anything done.
July 19, 2016
I am getting my lips done on Friday and I would be thrilled if they turn out as nice as yours! I'm excited and a little nervous at the same time!
July 24, 2016
thank you for sharing your experience and helping us trying to figure out the right size I plan on getting 4 in September your lips look beautiful I like the 4 mm
July 24, 2016
I'm not a big review writer, but I felt like I needed to share my story to help people on the fence between 4&5. You won't regret the 4mm - you'll look great!
July 24, 2016
I can't wait again thanks because it really has helped me on making my decision
July 25, 2016
Question..... They have different lengths? Dr didn't mention that so how do I know what length to get? Thx!
July 25, 2016
They have three lengths 55, 60, or 65 - ideally they measure the implant they have in the office to your lips when you have them in a parted position to see how long your lips are - I think some doctors just order the longest size and cut it but this could cause problems especially if you're going with the 5mm because if your lips are shorter and the implant is longer the Dr will cut it and the tapered part with be removed (I hope that made sense). This means the whole implant would be thick without the natural decrease at the sized - leading to maybe more of a fake sausage look - this is what I think happened with my lower lip (see picture 2).
July 25, 2016
Thank you so much very considerate and helpful. The dr I consulted with was an idiot and just ordered implants without even asking what size I wanted. No I didn't use him! It's good to know what questions to ask thank you again!
July 25, 2016
No problem! Yeah going to an experienced Dr. is key - someone who has good reviews! I think you can actually call Surgisil and ask them for a referral in your area. I know they field complaints from people so they should know if a Dr. has a good or bad reputation.
July 29, 2016
I had the 4mm implants in March and love them. The Dr selects the appropriate length. I do have some shading along the lower side of my bottom lip like one of your pictures that bothered me. I thought it was pigment but turns out to be scar tissue. I had laser treatment done today that will hopefully resolve the issue. Overall I love the implants, so natural and sure beats getting filler every few months.
July 29, 2016
That's awesome - yes it definitely beats filler! Let me know how the laser goes - my issue was resolved with the smaller implant, but I never thought about how scar tissue could the issue.
July 29, 2016
Gorgeous!!! Thank you I was thinking my Drs suggestion on 4mm was too small but I don't want to look duck lipped!
UPDATED FROM jnnrmn27
6 months post
1 month after revision
jnnrmn27August 9, 2016
Everything is going smoothly - implant is still a little stiff and I can't open my mouth as wide as I used to be able to, but I'm loving my lips! I'm very glad I went down a size! The 4mm suits my face shape better and looks natural.
Replies (23)
August 9, 2016
Hi, can you add a picture of what your lips look like from the side? I want 4mm implants. I like when the lips look more out. I am just wondering what the 4mm would look like from the side. That'd be great if you could add a side photo!
Thanks for the posts!
August 10, 2016
I just uploaded a side photo - photos don't do the implants justice - in person they look better - hope this helps :)
July 14, 2018
I just did 4mm top/bottom and at 3 weeks out I’m thinking I should have put 5mm in top. There’s very slight difference in the size and I think it depends on how much fullness you have to start with.
August 10, 2016
Looks great. I originally wanted 5 but I think 4 might work better for me after reading about your experience
August 10, 2016
I think it's wise to start with the medium - I would have saved $1,100 if I had listened to the Dr. -
You can always go up a size later but I think you'd be happy with the 4. They have a slight hint of injection look to them in person, but nothing overdone - just a little extra volume. For me the 5mm stretched my bottom lip and looked awkward especially when I smiled. Wish you could try them on so to speak to see what would look best ;)... I'd def listen to what your Dr thinks would fit your face. Best of luck!
You can always go up a size later but I think you'd be happy with the 4. They have a slight hint of injection look to them in person, but nothing overdone - just a little extra volume. For me the 5mm stretched my bottom lip and looked awkward especially when I smiled. Wish you could try them on so to speak to see what would look best ;)... I'd def listen to what your Dr thinks would fit your face. Best of luck!
August 10, 2016
I wish there was a way to try them on too! How was the healing process for you? Do you think 3 days would be enough time before going back to work? I don't want to look crazy in the office but I also don't want to use my vacation time!
August 10, 2016
The first time it was really rough - I'm a person that swells easily so I don't think I looked "presentable" for at least two weeks. The second time by day 5 I felt pretty close to normal. Everyone's so different and I think some people look good after a week. I'd definetley give myself a week - I know it sucks to use vacation time, but I'd be embarrassed to have to explain myself to people at the office... Or you could always just say you have "dental" work done ;)
August 10, 2016
Yeah I may have to suck it up and pretend I got my wisdom teeth removed or something...lol. Thanks again for your helpful answers!
July 14, 2018
I’m 3 weeks out and had minimal swelling. I never got giant swollen lips as I’ve seen in some photos. I could have one to work in a week. But everyone is different.
September 12, 2016
Thank you so much for writing this review; I had almost the same experience: I went with 5mm on Upper and 4mm on lower lips. I had my procedure June 23 and I can very much feel the implant now (9/12). The first two months my lips were so tight I couldn't smile big - only a slight smile with mouth closed (and I looked the pretties when smiling). Imagine how hard it had been for me! In the past month, I started to feel a little more better and can smile bigger but my smile still looks un-natual and not as pretty as before. I also have the problem that the implant on upper lip seems to be too short and shifted to the right so my smile is crooked. I am still hoping with more time I will be able to smile more naturally; but I am also considering removing the implants altogether. Would you advise me to go with 4mm on the upper lip instead? Could you give a two month update (after revision)? Thanks so much.
September 12, 2016
Hi :) so I'm doing good my smile is a little unnatural especially when I smile really big, but the shifting and shadow was fixed by going down a size. My top lip with a 5mm shifted a lot because it was too short and there was a shadow that made my lip look hairy. My bottom lip with the 5mm had a fake stretched appearance especially in person (pictures don't fully show how my lips looked). Now after downsizing to a 4mm I'm very happy. I had to get over what I hoped my lips would look like and the size I had imagined and instead focus on my particular lip shape and face structure. I had thought bigger meant better, but unfortunately it doesn't and in my case distorted the natural beauty. I choose to switch implants because I felt self conscious every time I smiled or took a picture. My sister thought they looked clownish and obviously that wasn't the look I was going for ;) It sucks to redo the surgery and pay the money, but it's worth it. Do you like you bottom lip? Is it just the top lip causing problems?
September 30, 2016
Thanks for your reply. I am not sure about the lower lip and the length seems ok and it doesn't shift. It looks fine in the mirror but a little fake in photos. My main problem is the smile and laugh. I couldn't smile at all in the beginning; it is definitely getting better but I still can't smile big and have to cover my mouth when laughing hard. I am now very self-conscious when I have pictures taken. I had a guy friend (who is less observant) ask me to smile more naturally when he was taking a group photo with me in it. I looked the prettiest when I smiled and was very photogenic. So if this problem does not go away (I am now a little more than 3 months post-op), I definitely would have the implants taken out and feel such a waste of time and money (and months of no smiling). I am surprised that no one else had this problem; and my doctor said she never had another patient complain about this. I am so glad that I found you. What did your doctor say about not being able to smile naturally? Will it ever get completely natural?
Oh another problem: my doctor said that I should not feel it at all. But I can very much feel the implants and lips are dry all the time so I have to apply lip all the time.
Oh another problem: my doctor said that I should not feel it at all. But I can very much feel the implants and lips are dry all the time so I have to apply lip all the time.
September 30, 2016
My bottom lip was what I thought look odd in photos - the smile it created was one that look like I'd tried to smile and the photographer took the photo too soon so my mouth always looked crooked and awkward. The 5mm was tube like and just didn't look normal. My family didn't like my bottom lip - they didn't mind my top which was also a 5mm but that's the one that actually really bothered me... It was too short and left a shadow that I hated above my lip along with the shifting to one side. So I can't say if it was only my bottom lip that attributed to the weird smile - it might have been both. Now with 4mm my smile is much better - it's still not the smile I had before and I guess I'll have to learn how to smile with my new lips. But its not bad - the laughing part hasn't changed though - if I laugh too hard my husband gets a weird look on his face because my lips don't look normal. I still do the exercises when I remember to - my Dr. never mentioned a change in smile and I didn't ask so I'm not sure if he's had patients with this problem. I did read a review where the girl stated she had to relearn how to smile so maybe it's not just us ;) my Dr. doesn't have a lot of revisions because people like his work. I know it's so frustrating when it's ok but not exactly what you had hoped for - I'm 95% happy so for me that's enough - but before the revision I was always thinking about what other people must be thinking when they saw my lips :( so if you feel like that maybe have a revision on the top lip of maybe have them removed :( I've heard the 3mm doesn't really look like anything was done so you probably don't want to go to that size. Keep me posted on what you decided :)
September 30, 2016
I can't feel the implant any longer and I never really had dry lips - both of those things would drive me crazy! I saw where someone else had the dry lip problem but I'm not sure if it resolved itself - maybe up your essential fatty acids and see if that helps. I know when I have dry skin it's because I haven't been getting enough healthy fats :(
October 3, 2016
Thanks so much for your reply. I guess I am unlucky that I have the smile problem, the dry lip problem and still feeling the implant problem - all of the problems out there :-(. Smile problem did get better slowly over time and I hope it will be completely natural in a couple months. But the dry lip and feeling the implant problem doesn't even seem to get any better! In a couple of months, if I still can't smile naturally, I will definitely have them removed. What a waste - $2K and can't smile for 6 months! :-( :-( :-(. I will definitely keep you posted.
October 31, 2016
Hi there,
It's been more than 4 months since my procedure; I can still feel the implants and my smile is still unnatural. I kept hoping that it would become natural eventually but I don't see much improvement in the last couple of months. I am seriously thinking of having the implants removed (actually I can't wait to get them removed), as again, my smile was my best feature but now I look uncomfortable when I smile. Please let me know how your smile feels like; or whether I should wait any longer.
Thanks so much!
It's been more than 4 months since my procedure; I can still feel the implants and my smile is still unnatural. I kept hoping that it would become natural eventually but I don't see much improvement in the last couple of months. I am seriously thinking of having the implants removed (actually I can't wait to get them removed), as again, my smile was my best feature but now I look uncomfortable when I smile. Please let me know how your smile feels like; or whether I should wait any longer.
Thanks so much!
I didn't think about this in the beginning - now with the 4mm my lips are enhanced and full but still the basic shape that I started with - in person there's more of a difference - pictures seem to flatten the lips. My husband could feel the 5mm when we kissed by can't with the 4mm. I also think the length being off was a lot of the problem too. So if you do 5mm make sure they're long enough :)