Annette's Gullwing Lip Lift & Advanta Story

I had never been happy with the huge space between my nose and upper lip. Actually, I did not have much of an upper lip at all. I did a “lip-augmentation-search” on the Internet and found Marianne's site and Bureen's (gallery photo #125) story. I called my plastic surgeon and confirmed that he did do lip lifts. I drove everyone crazy on the site asking which lift was better...a bullhorn or a gullwing. I finally met with my doctor and was told that I was not a candidate for the bullhorn. Therefore, my advice is to make the initial consultation & allow your doctor examine your facial features.

My lip lift was scheduled for June 4, 2002 (Dr. Calobrace, Louisville, Kentucky $850). I was given 3 prescriptions; I started on the antibiotics 2 days before my procedure. I took 1 Valium for relaxation and 1 Percocet one hour before my Procedure as I sat in the doctor's parking lot.

I ate some toast before the procedure & wore comfortable clothes. When it was my turn, the nurse took some “before” pictures and I was brought to the procedure room, placed supine on the table, and I asked for a towel to be placed over my eyes to block the lights.

The doctor gave me a partial dental block, injecting the upper and lower, left and right gum areas. Since I had taken the Percocet...this wasn't uncomfortable at all. From then on I did not feel a thing. It was over in 30 minutes and another photo was taken. I was immediately released. I did swell a bit, but I LOVED it...! I drove myself by the way.

I rinsed the stitches lining the top of my mouth with peroxide at least once per hour (not necessary to clean so often I am sure). After each rinsing, I would apply Neosporin with the numbing agent. The day of the procedure I iced hourly.

I was back to work at the barbershop the next day. I can honestly say that I felt no pain during or after the procedure, until the stitches were removed. I should have applied my numbing ointment before: Stitches out 4th day.

I do want to mention as far as lip-gloss, moisturizer, protectant, etc., Scar Fade® is one of my favorite products; its ability to protect your lips from your own “licking” and its ability to hold your own natural moisture in is incredible. In addition, after you have healed, nothing I have found holds your lip color like this product. I used Aquaphor®, Vaseline® and Neosporin® also.

I would definitely do the lift again tomorrow. I know my lip implant procedure will be much more traumatic. I will have Advanta 6.5 mm, top & bottom, inserted by Dr. Maurine Waterhouse on November 21, 2002, (approx. $1500, price includes medication). Okay... I have my ice-packs (Kellie's ice-pack recipe is great—2/3 water & 1/3 alcohol), medication, peroxide, Neosporin, soup, pudding, straws, and magazines ready to go.

Today is November 21, 2002 the day of my Advanta lip implant. I packed up my after-care kit and headed for the doctor's office for my Advanta. I took the Vicodin I had been prescribed when I arrived in the parking lot again since I drove myself. My appointment was at 10:30, I was not called back until 11:30. I thought I had everything ready...nope...

I forgot my Valium. I should have also taken a Tums; since the doctor was late, I was starving.

Dr. Waterhouse had done several of my friends and did a beautiful job. That is why I asked her to do my Advanta. I am sure Dr. Calobrace would be awesome at the procedure too, but Dr. W. specializes in the Advanta.

The implant procedure took about an hour. Ask your doctor to use an anesthetic cream on your gums before he/she does your dental block. Dr. Calobrace did this and it made a BIG difference. All the pain is over when the dental block is in. You will feel pressure and pulling that is all.

Six hours after the implants: I look like I have been in a fight. I look much worse than Anna's Day-One photos.

Anna stopped by to see me as I was leaving the doctor's office. Although I had to get home and rest... it made me so happy to see her beautiful face.

Next Day: So far so good. I have been keeping ice on the area, rinsing every hour or so with peroxide, and keeping Neosporin on the sutures. Most of the trauma is at the injections sites. I have switched to ½ Vicodin every two hours at night and I alternate that with Extra Strength Tylenol during the day. The Vicodin makes me sleepy. Tomato soup through a straw is saving the day. I am sleeping/resting in a recliner.

Day 2: Just wanted to mention that wearing warm gloves while you are holding the ice packs helps a lot. I have also found that the ¼-measuring spoon that comes with any kitchen-measuring kit is wonderful for eating. I am on one Ibuprofen alternating one Tylenol every two hours. This is working great for me. I am very asymmetrical...ugh...!

Day 3: I feel much better. The lips are beginning to look

more normal. It is not necessary to take Tylenol; however, I will probably take a couple of Ibuprofen for the swelling. The bruises where the dental block was injected looks yellow and green today. Make-up easily covers this.

I have been washing the stitches and lips once per day with PHisoDerm®... I rinse the lips with water, but rinse the incision sites with peroxide. Water has too much bacteria for me. The rest of the day, I clean and rinse the area with peroxide only. I also like to use a numbing antiseptic throat spray on the sutures. The mouth is a dirty place. I am brushing my teeth with peroxide only and rinsing my toothbrush with peroxide. The toothbrush can harbor bacteria.

Basic Rules That Helped Me:

  • Take your antibiotics & keep the area iced.

  • Eat with a spoon or straw until incisions are healed—no forks.

  • Keep your toothbrush clean & disinfected.

  • Keep lips moist; this includes your “inner oral mucosa” that while your lips are swollen, will be exposed to air and will peel. I even used my moisturizer or Neosporin on my teeth to keep the entire lip area moisturized.

  • Use your antibiotic ointment.

  • Try not to move your lips when you speak. (Approx. 1 week)

  • Sleep alone 1st night—do not risk being elbowed.

  • And most importantly... do not stare at Ashley's pictures. Advanta will not give you her size. Angelina is even jealous of Ashley...ha...!

Advanta will give you a nice fuller lip. Your lip color will look like glass because the lips are smooth and wrinkle free, the wrinkles over your upper lip will disappear or never form in the first place, and if placement is done properly your nose to lip ratio can be improved from a profile view.

Two Weeks: I am still sore where my dental block was injected at the right upper gum. Other than that, the incision sites look good and the sutures are gone. I can feel a little bump at each suture site, but I have no pain or tenderness there. The bottom implant does not hurt at all when I press on it. The top still has some tenderness in the cupids bow area. I love my implants. So far so good...!

WARNING: Stretching may work for some people but I got myself into trouble. Without asking my doctor, at 2 weeks and 2 days, I decided to stretch my mouth (implants feel tight and you cannot smile as wide). I spent one evening stretching and stretching. The next morning I could barely move my upper lip. I felt as if I were 5 days post-op instead of 2 weeks. Let the implants loosen up naturally.

Three Week Post-Op Check-Up: Dr. Waterhouse was happy with the healing and said it would not be necessary to return. This is a dream-come-true for me...and each of you have been part of my encouragement and motivation. I use to think about my lips all the time... now, I never have to. Thank you all for your support.