POSTED UNDER Lip Lift REVIEWS
Lip Lift and Fat Graft. Sugar Land, TX
ORIGINAL POST
I decided to get a lip lift because I felt the...
WORTH IT$3,500
I decided to get a lip lift because I felt the distance between my lip and nose was long. I was rolling my lip and scrunching my nose to be able to show my teeth when I smiled. I did a ton of research on the procedure, doctors, etc. I didn't want anything extreme (cutting into muscle) since this was an unnecessary/cosmetic procedure. After reading a lot of reviews and consulting with multiple doctors, I finally settled on Dr. Horndeski in Texas. I would have preferred to have a surgeon in my home state but I couldn't find one that did the procedure. However, I saw another patient flew in and out the same day as surgery. I choose Dr. Horndeski because I saw a lot of positive reviews and the consult we had.
My consult with Dr. Horndeski was through phone calls and emails. What I really liked was how quickly I received responses from Dr. Horndeski and his staff. They confirmed that I could fly in and out the same day without any problems and they offered to pick me up and take me back to the airport. I appreciated that! I sent pictures and described my overall goal. We decided I would probably need to remove 5-6mm of skin. The only thing they could have improved on was a little more communication on their end right before the surgery. A brief rundown on what to expect, what to buy, the medications I would be getting, who would be picking me up from the airport, post-op care; all of which I received upon arrival but I was freaking out a little the few days before. The thought crossed my mind that this whole plastic surgery website was just a way to lure women in and get kidnapped! Fortunately that was not the case.
They picked me up from the airport the day of surgery. When I arrived at the office, I met with Dr. Horndeski and Elisa to discuss my surgery. I threw a little curve ball right before I went and asked about correcting my deep superior alar crease. They were extremely accommodating with my last minute changes. I originally thought that I just needed a lip lift, which is where they make an incision at the base of the nose and basically pull the skin up. Dr. Horndeski explained that I shouldn't just pull the middle of my lip up and insisted on doing a corner lift (no extra charge.) I was a little skeptical but I think he was right now! We also decided to do fat grafts for my alar creases. Lip lift ($3000) and fat graft ($500). I was really nervous about the fat graft because I had not done my research and there isn't a lot out there.
After the consultation, I was ready for the surgery. I was ready for the numbing shots, they hurt but I cringed through it fine. The surgery for my lip was a piece of cake after that. The little liposuction for the fat graft was a different story, that HURT like HELL! That spot hurt the worst for the next few days. The fat graft going into my nose was fine too. I filled my prescriptions at the pharmacy 6 doors down and then they took me back to the airport. I was pretty embarrassed walking around right after surgery, especially since my gauze was bloody by the time I was supposed to board. I did get priority boarding though because I kind of looked like I got punched in the face. If I had to do it again, I would have paid extra for a flight without a layover. I was pretty anxious to get home. Two major problems with my flights being the same day as surgery was 1) the time frame didn't allow for me to eat before surgery and 2) I wasn't sure how the pain med would effect me and since I had a layover and would be driving home, it was a gamble. In my case, since my flight (layover included) was 6 hours, I did like Elisa instructed and took the pain pill with my smoothie dinner before my numbing injections wore off completely. I had 6 hours which is how long the pill was suppose to have an effect, so I figured I would be able to drive home. I was afraid the pill would make me sleepy and I would miss my second flight, but I was fine.
It's now four days after my surgery, I slept upright every night. I didn't need the pain pills after my first one. My face really didn't hurt at all, a little irritating maybe but no pain. I was really swollen and I think I still am...
We will see how the final product looks....
My consult with Dr. Horndeski was through phone calls and emails. What I really liked was how quickly I received responses from Dr. Horndeski and his staff. They confirmed that I could fly in and out the same day without any problems and they offered to pick me up and take me back to the airport. I appreciated that! I sent pictures and described my overall goal. We decided I would probably need to remove 5-6mm of skin. The only thing they could have improved on was a little more communication on their end right before the surgery. A brief rundown on what to expect, what to buy, the medications I would be getting, who would be picking me up from the airport, post-op care; all of which I received upon arrival but I was freaking out a little the few days before. The thought crossed my mind that this whole plastic surgery website was just a way to lure women in and get kidnapped! Fortunately that was not the case.
They picked me up from the airport the day of surgery. When I arrived at the office, I met with Dr. Horndeski and Elisa to discuss my surgery. I threw a little curve ball right before I went and asked about correcting my deep superior alar crease. They were extremely accommodating with my last minute changes. I originally thought that I just needed a lip lift, which is where they make an incision at the base of the nose and basically pull the skin up. Dr. Horndeski explained that I shouldn't just pull the middle of my lip up and insisted on doing a corner lift (no extra charge.) I was a little skeptical but I think he was right now! We also decided to do fat grafts for my alar creases. Lip lift ($3000) and fat graft ($500). I was really nervous about the fat graft because I had not done my research and there isn't a lot out there.
After the consultation, I was ready for the surgery. I was ready for the numbing shots, they hurt but I cringed through it fine. The surgery for my lip was a piece of cake after that. The little liposuction for the fat graft was a different story, that HURT like HELL! That spot hurt the worst for the next few days. The fat graft going into my nose was fine too. I filled my prescriptions at the pharmacy 6 doors down and then they took me back to the airport. I was pretty embarrassed walking around right after surgery, especially since my gauze was bloody by the time I was supposed to board. I did get priority boarding though because I kind of looked like I got punched in the face. If I had to do it again, I would have paid extra for a flight without a layover. I was pretty anxious to get home. Two major problems with my flights being the same day as surgery was 1) the time frame didn't allow for me to eat before surgery and 2) I wasn't sure how the pain med would effect me and since I had a layover and would be driving home, it was a gamble. In my case, since my flight (layover included) was 6 hours, I did like Elisa instructed and took the pain pill with my smoothie dinner before my numbing injections wore off completely. I had 6 hours which is how long the pill was suppose to have an effect, so I figured I would be able to drive home. I was afraid the pill would make me sleepy and I would miss my second flight, but I was fine.
It's now four days after my surgery, I slept upright every night. I didn't need the pain pills after my first one. My face really didn't hurt at all, a little irritating maybe but no pain. I was really swollen and I think I still am...
We will see how the final product looks....
LongLip's provider
UPDATED FROM LongLip
16 days post
Update
The swelling is down! I think my lip looks really good, just what I wanted. I really don't believe the fat grafts stuck around, I don't really see any change. I'd say that was probably a waste of money.
Replies (6)
February 22, 2015
It's very hard to keep a fat graft, I know you have to have the procedure done more than once to have some of the fat cells stay perm. BTW, I read someone's comment above about the lip lift not lasting? Really? It's a surgical procedure lifting the lip and cutting wouldn't you say that's perm? Did Dr. H say anything to you about it NOT being a perm solution? If that's the case, I'm not going to even consider it.
Thx.
February 23, 2015
There is other reviews where the fat transfer to lips worked and only took one time.
February 23, 2015
Dr. H said the results ARE permanent to me. I had 6mm of skin removed, that skin will not grow back. Everyone's lips get thinner as they age, so in 15 years instead of 1.2 cm between my nose and lip, it may be 1.3. But if you have the surgery and have 4-6mm removed, you are not going to revert back to how you were before in 5 years or ever. Now if you are super conservative with this surgery and have 1-2mm removed, in 20 years you may have the same distance you did before you had the surgery. But remember, if you didn't have the surgery then you would be further from your ideal. I hope that makes sense. Bottom line: this is as permanent as surgery gets.
February 24, 2015
Sometimes it doesn't work or fully take on some people. Completely common I hear.
UPDATED FROM LongLip
16 days post
Tooth Show
I definitely have more tooth show than I did. My top lip was pretty stuff the first week and a half post op so I couldn't fully smile. Just an FYI for anyone planning to do this. The big difference for me was I really had to scrunch my nose to show my teeth whenever I smiled, now I don't have to. My smile looks normal!
Replies (23)
January 1, 2015
amazing! it looks so natural and you achieved more lip and less space. Congratulations, Happy New Year and say hello to red lipstick!
January 8, 2015
Where are the incisions for your corner lift?
Maybellineo
January 13, 2015
Usually a corner lift incisions are not under the nose, they are actually on the sides of the corner of your mouth. Nose incisions lift the middle and sides of the lips but not the actual corners. I had a corner lift years ago and wondered if there are any new ways of performing it that avoids an external scar. I don't think there is yet.
Maybellinoe
January 13, 2015
I was wondering the same thing. I would really like to know if there is another procedure for corner lip lift with no scar. I need too do corner lip lift because my upper lip lift is looking pulled up and sides, corner pulled down.
January 13, 2015
I only know what he told me, He said we needed to do a corner lift.. The incision wasn't the conventional one for a lip lift but if my not be a real "corner lift" either. My scar is only under my nose.
January 13, 2015
Yep, that's what happens. Your lips sorta look like the Liberty Bell Shape. At least that 's what I think. Or a baby doll lips.
Maybellineo
January 18, 2015
I had a consult with him last week. He explained he has better results with the corner lift with this type of incision. I really really liked him and I've had my fair share of consults with plastic surgeons:)
January 18, 2015
Hi Genesis: Are you going to get this corner lift? If you don't need the lip lift, does just the corner lift part cost less? I just had my lip lift this past April and don't need any more lifting of the middle part of the lip.
Maybellineo
January 18, 2015
I looked at the photo again when he marked the lip lift and the corner part and he did go up further on the sides of the nose to get the outer part of the lips to lift up too so there isn't that sloped look from the lip lift. That is really what I am looking for. I wonder if I just got that part of the lift (corner) if it would have the extensive swelling of the total lift?
January 18, 2015
Maybellineo, I had a corner lip lift and it left no scar. It healed much faster than my upper lip lift. I did notice a very slight bump on one side, which may have been internal stitch or swelling. It flattened out, and no one else seemed to notice. I think having the corners lifted makes a big difference (if you have downward turned lips like I had).
January 18, 2015
My lips don't really downturn, it is the sides of the lips are so vertical as opposed to horizontal. Does that make sense?
Maybellineo
January 20, 2015
Hi Maybellino, I think I understand what you mean. I wonder if this doctor could do just the sides of the nose to accomplish what you are looking for. It would be worth calling his office. I really like "longlips" results. I do think most of the lip lifts on this site are an improvement.
January 20, 2015
Hi Anon101010: First longlip, I am not trying to hijack your review. The corner lift that you got was something new. I had a traditional corner lift many years ago and was curious about this new technique. I will call your Dr. and ask about it. I am in New Orleans so Houston, a 45 minute plane ride.
Maybellineo
January 23, 2015
He said he was going to do the corner lift but he didn't mark it like her photo. I took a pic after he marked me. My "wings" don't go out that far like on her photo above. I don't know how it would work with pricing to just get the corners done. The office would probably be able to give you a ball park about it though.
January 23, 2015
I will post pics soon. I'd like to do them all at the same time. I look pretty rough right now. But I did take a pic of the markings so that should help some people.
Replies (43)
Thanks so much for sharing! It's really interesting reading about your experience going to Texas for your lip lift and fat graft. I can't wait to see how it all turns out. I truly hope you LOVE it!