POSTED UNDER Lip Lift REVIEWS
Completed Two Stage Lip Lift - Sugar Land, TX
ORIGINAL POST
I became interested in the Lip Lift procedure...
prestonhollowdivaApril 28, 2015
WORTH IT$4,500
I became interested in the Lip Lift procedure because in my 40's I noticed my philtrum had grown much longer than it had been previously. The extra long distance from my nose to the top of my lips and the resulting problem that my top lip completely covered my upper teeth when my mouth was relaxed were the main problems that I hopped this procedure would correct. I felt that the length of my top lip was really making me look much older than I am - an idea that I was not at all happy about. So I researched the procedure for about 6 months before deciding to have my surgery with with Dr. Gary Horndeski. I chose Dr. Horndeski because of positive reviews I read on this site, and he has not disappointed me.
My upper lip measured about 24mm from nose to top of lips, and I wanted to remove about 12mm of skin to shorten my upper lip. In our Skype consultation Dr. Horndeski explained to me that he could only remove about 6mm at one time, so I would need this to be a 2 stage procedure (removing 5-6mm each time - with the 2 surgeries 6 months apart).
I live in Dallas and decided to drive down rather than fly into Houston because I did not want to worry about the airport hassles a day after surgery. So my husband drove us down and we stayed at one of our favorite hotels in Houston the first night after the surgery. Before the surgery, Dr. Horndeski measured my lips and marked the line where he would remove skin. Being awake during surgery was a pretty intense experience for me. I have a history of being hard to get numb, so I was nervous. But Dr. Horndeski and his assistant were sensitive to my concerns and quick to respond and relieve any avoidable discomfort. I was relieved to not have to have general anesthesia. The pain was manageable for the first couple of days with the pain medication prescribed, and after that not a problem. I took arnica (to reduce swelling) and slept sitting up for several nights. My swelling was not too bad, but the visible incision kept me hiding in my house as much as possible for the first two weeks. I was apprehensive about removing the stitch after a week myself, but with one small tug it slipped right out. Once the stitch was removed I applied scar gel on the scar several times a day for the first two months. It was amazing; I could almost see the scar become less visible on a day by day basis the first few weeks. The first six weeks after surgery I was self-conscious about the visible scar and found it difficult to hide with concealer. However, at this point it is not a problem; I rarely put concealer on it. The scar is so well hidden that you would never notice it unless you knew exactly what to look for. It is really not a concern at all at this point.
My first surgery was 3 months ago and I am still looking forward to additional lip shortening, but I am also very pleased with the first phase of improvement to my lips. The distance from my nose to the top of my lips was shortened as expected, and I have a small bit of tooth show ( about 2-3mm of the front two teeth only). Also my upper lip just took on more of an upturned youthful shape, that I am delighted with and the beginnings of lips lines that I was beginning to develop are now gone - another perk. I will be back for my second phase of my lip shortening as soon as I can; I would still like to have a shorter upper lip and more tooth show. However, I also feel my lips have already been dramatically improved and I am delighted with their new look. (I am so glad that I did not let a surgeon in the Dallas area talk me into lip implants.)
My upper lip measured about 24mm from nose to top of lips, and I wanted to remove about 12mm of skin to shorten my upper lip. In our Skype consultation Dr. Horndeski explained to me that he could only remove about 6mm at one time, so I would need this to be a 2 stage procedure (removing 5-6mm each time - with the 2 surgeries 6 months apart).
I live in Dallas and decided to drive down rather than fly into Houston because I did not want to worry about the airport hassles a day after surgery. So my husband drove us down and we stayed at one of our favorite hotels in Houston the first night after the surgery. Before the surgery, Dr. Horndeski measured my lips and marked the line where he would remove skin. Being awake during surgery was a pretty intense experience for me. I have a history of being hard to get numb, so I was nervous. But Dr. Horndeski and his assistant were sensitive to my concerns and quick to respond and relieve any avoidable discomfort. I was relieved to not have to have general anesthesia. The pain was manageable for the first couple of days with the pain medication prescribed, and after that not a problem. I took arnica (to reduce swelling) and slept sitting up for several nights. My swelling was not too bad, but the visible incision kept me hiding in my house as much as possible for the first two weeks. I was apprehensive about removing the stitch after a week myself, but with one small tug it slipped right out. Once the stitch was removed I applied scar gel on the scar several times a day for the first two months. It was amazing; I could almost see the scar become less visible on a day by day basis the first few weeks. The first six weeks after surgery I was self-conscious about the visible scar and found it difficult to hide with concealer. However, at this point it is not a problem; I rarely put concealer on it. The scar is so well hidden that you would never notice it unless you knew exactly what to look for. It is really not a concern at all at this point.
My first surgery was 3 months ago and I am still looking forward to additional lip shortening, but I am also very pleased with the first phase of improvement to my lips. The distance from my nose to the top of my lips was shortened as expected, and I have a small bit of tooth show ( about 2-3mm of the front two teeth only). Also my upper lip just took on more of an upturned youthful shape, that I am delighted with and the beginnings of lips lines that I was beginning to develop are now gone - another perk. I will be back for my second phase of my lip shortening as soon as I can; I would still like to have a shorter upper lip and more tooth show. However, I also feel my lips have already been dramatically improved and I am delighted with their new look. (I am so glad that I did not let a surgeon in the Dallas area talk me into lip implants.)
prestonhollowdiva's provider
UPDATED FROM prestonhollowdiva
4 months post
Photos 5-5-15
prestonhollowdivaMay 5, 2015
Photos with no makeup except lip gloss to show scar is not visible under normal circumstances.
Replies (6)
May 22, 2015
I don't find the nose shape change acceptable at all.
May 31, 2015
My nose is really not changed. The pictures above taken to show the scan are taken at a slightly different angle to show the scar and this may be what you are seeing as a difference. But my nose is really unchanged. Only my upper lip changed - with a shorter philtrum, a fuller upper lip and tooth show.
May 29, 2015
Very curious, as I notice the top lip has not become fuller and you are lining outside the lip line to make the lips look larger when the natural lip is not larger then before the surgery. I do not see a real difference in your look other then the nostrels look distorted, Not sure why anyone would do this??????
May 31, 2015
I am not sure which photo you are seeing as my before photo. The only before photo in my photos is the one with the markings before surgery. My upper lip is definitely fuller, the philtrum is a little shorter and the shape of the lip is prettier - more turned up. I have received many compliments from friends wanting to know what I did for the improvement in my lips. I am so pleased with the results. I will do the second phase to have a shorter philtrum and more tooth show.
July 4, 2015
There is a huge difference/improvement in the space between her upper lip and nose. This is the main reason why this surgery is done. Nasal distortion is usually temporary due to swelling. This surgery can cause permanent slight nasal distortion, but I do not see it in her pictures.
Replies (28)
May 7, 2015
When will you do phase 2? Or have you decided against it?
May 7, 2015
Dr Horndeski advises to wait 6 months for the 2nd surgery. I plan to do it at soon as possible which will be in July.
May 12, 2015
Iam planning to do it again ..
May 14, 2015
Lulu - your lips are amazingly beautiful, but I understand your wanting more tooth show. I want to see more of my teeth and have a shorter philtrum too. Was your surgery removal of skin only or did your doctor do any muscle hemming too?
May 16, 2015
Hi my dear
Thank you for ur kind words .. Iam now 12mm i was 15mm so only 3 mls was cutting off...by the way it was only skin removed not muscles... And iam planning to cut 2 mls more even my doc he agreed with me...
May 19, 2015
How long did your doctor recommend that you wait between the surgeries? My doctor recommends 6 months and it feels like forever. I cant wait for my second surgery, I would like to remove another 5-6 mm.
May 18, 2015
Just gorgeous!
May 19, 2015
Thank you Ideleon for your kind words. I really am very pleased with the shape of my lips now. I am also looking forward to my second surgery to reduce the length of my philtrum and increase my tooth show.
May 20, 2015
Wow--you look great!
May 20, 2015
Thank you so much. I really do appreciate the positive comments and encouragement.
May 22, 2015
Looks like the nostrils have changed and you can look into the nose.
May 24, 2015
The first two weeks after the surgery, my nose seemed pulled down and you could see the nostrils more. But after two weeks it was normal again. There really is not any change in my nose or nostrils now. If it looks that way in the photo it may be just because of the angle of the photo. I was trying to get the incision area to show the scar as much as possible, and how minimally visible the scar is.
May 24, 2015
Ok thanks. But I'm still on the fence about the acceptability of the scar in the dead center of my face. That's a scary thought to me as well as the possibility of my nostrils widening
May 24, 2015
A scar such as yours would totally freak me out. I could conceal with make up but I think that every time I blow my nose the concealer would come off
May 26, 2015
My scar is really not visible. I do not put makeup on it because it is not noticeable.
July 4, 2015
Noses always look strange in pictures where they are taken at this angle. My nose Nasal distortion is usually temporary due to swelling. Facial surgery takes time to heal from. The scar takes a while to resolve. If you cannot wait the amount of time to heal from this procedure then I would not recommend it for you. This procedure can leave a scar, but things like lasers etc can be used to lighten it. I think she looks good.
July 25, 2015
I think these Balatare and Cocktails women are too negative and splitting hairs. No surgery will be THAT perfect. If it makes the client happy, it's successful surgery in my books! I thinbk that unless we're dealing with a horrendous case, negative observations should be kept for themselves.
July 26, 2015
prestonhollowdiva purposely took pictures this way to show what she means and I'm grateful that she's doing that. No one should ever sugar coat what's going on to be "positive", you're not helping anyone by dong that.
Tell it as it is and let people make their own decisions.
Tell it as it is and let people make their own decisions.
Replies (35)
Your first phase results look very pretty! Please keep us updated on phase 2!