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One year anniversary --malar/submalar cheek implants
Everything I read going into this procedure said total recovery would take one year. That's why today is a very special day for me. It marks one year since my malar/submalar silicone cheek implant surgery. I really couldn't be happier with my decision. I have total movement back, no pain, and a facial silhouette I am so much happier with. These have given me confidence x1000. Was it painful at first? Very much. Disruptive and noticeable for many days, weeks and months? Unfortunately, yes. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely! This is a perfect procedure for anyone who desires the plump, youthful look of fillers but doesn't want to spend thousands every year. This is permanent. I hadn't looked at my before pictures in so long that I actually forgot what an incredible transformation this really was. Check them out!
I'm compelled to share this with those of you...
I'm compelled to share this with those of you considering a cheek augmentation surgery to provide you with another case example to help make your decision. Today I sit on Day 15 post-surgery. The best way I can describe my situation at the moment is this-- it's like having a brand new car in the driveway, without the keys to drive it. I have the most full, beautiful cheeks, but my face is still healing, so I can't really "use them." My facial expressions are limited. You'll see in the pics, I'm still struggling to smile. I had my post-op a few days ago, and Doc assured me it would just take time. He's been right about everything else so far, so I'm trusting the process. Plus, I see improvement every day, so I know this train is headed in the right direction.
Here's my background. As you'll see from two before pics, I have very flat cheeks. It's a mixture of genetics and a low body weight. For me, the decision came down to economics. I've gotten fillers before, but to maintain the effect I wanted, it was costing me $4k a year in Voluma. By the end of my life, that would have afforded me a dang-nice retirement home. I just couldn't justify it anymore.
Doc and I met and decided to go with a size "medium" (he didn't offer customization). We did it the old fashioned way-- I held the little silicone thing up to my face in different sizes and we eyeballed what we thought looked best.
The surgery itself was easy...after all, you just show up, put your little gown on, and go to sleep. I do want to warn you it hurt like HELL the first two days after. No amount of hydrocodone in the world was taking away that pain. Your best bet is to try and sleep as much as possible so you're not "around" to feel it. Don't let that stop you from doing it-- just be mentally prepared.
The days that follow after that are simply a mental game. The physical pain goes away, but the mental trip is just beginning. We all go under the knife to make improvements. And even though everyone tells you to expect swelling and bruising-- it's a whole new animal when you look in the mirror and see it on yourself. You question your decision over and over. You may even cry (try not to-- it brings up the pain again). But lucky for you, there's nothing you can do. I say that, because if you had the power, I'm sure you'd rip them out. But it's worth the wait, trust me.
By Day 11-- duty called. I had to go back to work. I definitely didn't feel ready. But what can you do? Take 2-3 months off? Because that's what the timetable the doc gave me for complete healing. The biggest struggles I'm facing are an inability to smile fully (though, like the swelling, the ability to smile is coming back a teeny bit more everyday), and the left side of my lip isn't moving with the same strength as my right. When I go to pucker or make the "w" sound for the word "we", my lips are completely uneven (you can see what I mean in the last picture). I speak in front of an audience for a living, so I panicked at first, but doc says it's just the nerves/muscles healing from the trauma at different rates. Again, he promised in 2-3 months, everything would be back to normal.
It's strange to say that this will change my life, but I really think it will. Funny, huh? Those tiny little inch-long pieces of silicone. Physically speaking, this was the one thing that was out of my control. I like having a healthy body. So I work out and eat right. I like looking beautiful. So I've mastered the art of hair/make-up/dress. But there was no exercise or make-up trick that could give me the cheeks I wanted. This was the only way.
I'll update you as time passes. But from where I sit now, I am feeling tremendously hopeful about the future. I truly hope this message helps at least one person. If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Here's my background. As you'll see from two before pics, I have very flat cheeks. It's a mixture of genetics and a low body weight. For me, the decision came down to economics. I've gotten fillers before, but to maintain the effect I wanted, it was costing me $4k a year in Voluma. By the end of my life, that would have afforded me a dang-nice retirement home. I just couldn't justify it anymore.
Doc and I met and decided to go with a size "medium" (he didn't offer customization). We did it the old fashioned way-- I held the little silicone thing up to my face in different sizes and we eyeballed what we thought looked best.
The surgery itself was easy...after all, you just show up, put your little gown on, and go to sleep. I do want to warn you it hurt like HELL the first two days after. No amount of hydrocodone in the world was taking away that pain. Your best bet is to try and sleep as much as possible so you're not "around" to feel it. Don't let that stop you from doing it-- just be mentally prepared.
The days that follow after that are simply a mental game. The physical pain goes away, but the mental trip is just beginning. We all go under the knife to make improvements. And even though everyone tells you to expect swelling and bruising-- it's a whole new animal when you look in the mirror and see it on yourself. You question your decision over and over. You may even cry (try not to-- it brings up the pain again). But lucky for you, there's nothing you can do. I say that, because if you had the power, I'm sure you'd rip them out. But it's worth the wait, trust me.
By Day 11-- duty called. I had to go back to work. I definitely didn't feel ready. But what can you do? Take 2-3 months off? Because that's what the timetable the doc gave me for complete healing. The biggest struggles I'm facing are an inability to smile fully (though, like the swelling, the ability to smile is coming back a teeny bit more everyday), and the left side of my lip isn't moving with the same strength as my right. When I go to pucker or make the "w" sound for the word "we", my lips are completely uneven (you can see what I mean in the last picture). I speak in front of an audience for a living, so I panicked at first, but doc says it's just the nerves/muscles healing from the trauma at different rates. Again, he promised in 2-3 months, everything would be back to normal.
It's strange to say that this will change my life, but I really think it will. Funny, huh? Those tiny little inch-long pieces of silicone. Physically speaking, this was the one thing that was out of my control. I like having a healthy body. So I work out and eat right. I like looking beautiful. So I've mastered the art of hair/make-up/dress. But there was no exercise or make-up trick that could give me the cheeks I wanted. This was the only way.
I'll update you as time passes. But from where I sit now, I am feeling tremendously hopeful about the future. I truly hope this message helps at least one person. If anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.