PermaLip 5 mm Silicone Implants on 2/28/13 - Spokane, WA

The secondary procedure to fix my upper lip went well. It was more of the same, just with less bruising. This time I tried an Arnica salve that was supposed to help with bruising and swelling. I'm not sure how well it worked since most of the damage was done during the first procedure. I guess the tunnel never closed up, but the implant got twisted in a way that required going in there and removing it. The wound up using a brand new implant, which relieved me a little. I didn't want a defective implant!

I do have a few pics that I need to upload, but I just haven't gotten to it yet. There really wasn't a lot to see. Of course the bump is gone, and everything is more "even". I was worried my upper lip was going to be larger than my bottom lip, but now that the swellings gone down a little it looks like they're going to be about the same size (which is what I started with and what I was going for, see before pics).

One think that did surprise me was the amount of stress this procedure would cause. I've been so emotional over the last few days. On the 9th and 10th, I kept thinking that my upper lip was too big, which started me thinking about how I'd be a big lip freak, and what a mistake it was to get the procedure in the first place. Then yesterday I tried kissing my boyfriend with my numb lips, and I just lost it. I had no idea how much comfort I take from those little physical gestures, and when I couldn't feel his lips on mine (they tingled like they were asleep) I started bawling. They're still tingling, and they have been since the nerve block wore off. I can tell they are getting more feeling, but it's a really slow process.

I think getting back to work really helped me get back into a good head space. I think my lips look great today, and I can see the beginning of that little upturn on my upper lip. I'm pretty excited that it's visually healed, but I can't wait for the nerves to catch up. I guess the nerves get stretched and bruised during the procedure, and it can take two or three weeks for full sensation to come back. Also, the limitations on moving my mouth are starting to get old. After almost two weeks of not opening my mouth more than an inch, I'm starting to go nuts. Funny things happen, and I want to smile and laugh. Soon enough I guess, but it's hard right now.

I've been a few days, and every morning I can tell the bruising is lessening, and the swelling is going down. I did encounter one problem on day two post-op. My implant migrated to she right, and the tunnel in that portion of the lip closed up. At least that's what I thought until I had my post-op meeting with the doc earlier today. On my bottom lip I could feel the implant which was symmetrical. On my top lip I could feel it on the one side, but not the other. I was pretty worried over the weekend. I actually tried to move the implant back over by pinching my lip on the opposite side. I could feel the implant moving slightly, but I couldn't get it to slide back over. Having had piercings close up on me in the past, I thought it was reasonable that the same thing could have happened with the implant tunnel in my upper lip.

At my consult Doc L confirmed that the implant migrated, and the bump on my upper lip was the end of the implant bent back on itself (see pics). Doc L tried to manipulate the implant, but he wasn't able to move it any more than I was. I was sooo worried that I would have to pay OR costs to have my lip fixed, but thankfully the doctor said that he would do that for free. His main concern was that my lip look good for the long term. I'm scheduled to go back for a corrective procedure on the morning of the 6th. I'm happy to be having it fixed, but I'm worried about telling my work I have to be out again. :(

I'm also concerned that the same thing might happen again. I didn't think to ask that when I was with the doctor, so I'll have to wait till Wednesday. I don't have any idea how this happened in the first place. It's kinda a big pain in the butt. I had a little freak out this morning which amounted to me bawling and having a worried pity party. I also called into work because of it, which turned into another days lost wages. I'm lucky enough to have sick time, but I really can't afford to be out a whole lot. Bleh!

I'm still happy I got it done. The bottom lip looks awesome, and I'm pretty sure that the end result will be that both lips look good.

I just uploaded the pictures my boyfriend took after we got home and I slept for a couple hours. I didn't realize I had little dried blood specks on my face, so sorry about that. And I was so woozy from anesthesia and hydros that I couldn't stand up straight for very long, which is why one of the pics is crooked. :P