48 Year Old, Lip Lift with Juvederm

I have my appointment with Dr. Avron Lipschitz set for June 20 for a bull horn lip lift. I had originally been scheduled with another doctor to get the Surgisil 5 mm lip implants, but after reading so many reviews about their disappointing results, I cancelled my surgery. In my search for information about the lip implants, I discovered the lip lift surgery option. I had never even heard of it before. I found a positive review of a PS literally 5 minutes from my house in Stuart, FL, so I went to him for a consult. He was professional and took time to talk to me and look at my wish pics. I have a second appt with him on 6/5/17 to discuss more details, look at before/after pics, and pick up pre-op prescriptions. I am very excited. The LL is $2500 and he recommended one syringe of Juvederm, which is expensive in his office at $825. I will get him to do the first one at the same time of the LL, but I will likely do my maintenance Juvederm at a friend's med spa which is considerably more affordable. I needed volume in addition to a lift, so it is just the way it is. I will post pics along my journey.

Scheduled for June 20 with Dr. Avron Lipschitz in Stuart, FL.

My LL is scheduled for just over 2 weeks, and I am so excited. I had my first consult with Dr. Lipschitz a couple of weeks ago, but I had more questions that I forgot to ask in the excitement of the meeting. I kept a list of my questions over the last 2 weeks as I read this website and brought my questions in to my second consult today. Below is what we talked about:

1. I asked about use of steroids after the LL for reduced swelling. Doc stated "no way" as steroids can hinder wound healing. He recommended to start taking Arnica and to stop my vitamins, supplements (Fish Oil), and use of Ibuprofen for the next 2 weeks.

2. I asked about painkillers. He stated Extra Strength Tylenol would be enough. I refused the pre-op Valium. I am in recovery, and I am concerned about the use or narcotics for any reason. I try to limit my exposure to them unless it is truly necessary. Doc assured me that it's not a high pain recovery. I had a breast augmentation 2 years ago, and I only used Ibuprofen 800 mg afterward. Doc stated the healing from the LL is easy and life gets back to normal quickly after this surgery. I am going back to work on the 6th day after the surgery.

3. I asked about the length of skin to be excised from my philtrum in my bull horn LL. Doc states being conservative is the best bet, and the bigger the excision, the bigger the scar and potential of pulling on the nose. He states he is shooting for 6mm. My measurement is 1.9 cm now. I trust him.

4. I asked to see some of his own work with LL patients, and he showed me quite a few of his patients. I was so thoroughly impressed and felt so deeply assured that he is good at this surgery. He explained to me at length the bull horn method, and how to adjust for all the different measurements depending on the patient's desired look and quality of skin. He explained the difference between the bull horn and a corner lift. He showed me diagrams. I just felt so happy that he cared enough to reassure me. I had been to another local plastic surgeon a few weeks ago, and I got the feeling he couldn't have cared less to do a LL on my face. The first PS actually said to me when I asked if I was a good LL candidate, "You can get one if you really want to."

5. I asked when stitches would be removed, and he stated 6 days.

6. He will be injecting one syringe of Juvederm in my lips. I think this is a fact of life maintenance issue that will have for the rest of my life. He recommended two syringes of Radiesse in my cheek bone area, and I was so tempted...but I just can't afford that right now. I also want to focus on one thing at a time. I think I would like to enhance my mid face next year, though.

I feel very pleased with the doctor I chose. My surgery is 15 days away, and I am excited. It is also awesome that he is a 3 minute drive from my house!!