Radiance Over Gore-Tex Lip ImplantsStatsAge: 32 Why I Wanted Lip AugmentationI have been on a quest for full, luscious lips since 1999.And it hasn't happened for more than 4 months yes, which I find very annoying.Firstly, if you are familiar with my other journals you know I have 3.omm Gore-Tex tubes to both upper and lower.I want them out.And I WILL get them out as I consulted with another Dr. in Beverly Hills who does a lot of Gore-Tex removal - Dr. Paul S. Nassif. But for now I want lips!An Radiance is what I am willing to try because I do not feel comfortable enough to get silicone injections. How I Researched My OptionsI have been researching for what seems like a millennia!I know it has only been since 1998 (and then I got them in '99), but I research options for a living so I feel I am pretty informed. I chose Radiance because although it has reports of lumping, I know the lumps can be dealt with as opposed to silicone which can lump as well but is much harder to deal with.I am not in the mood for any granulomas and have decided I am sick of wasting my time on temporary injectables.So Radiance, here I come. Side Note:At the ending of March, we were contacted via email by a production company hired by Discovery for a plastic surgery documentary to be featured on their network.The documentary was to portray the rising trend in plastic surgery, the utter popularity and the socio-impact of cosmetic surgery in general.They requested that patients who are considering surgery within the next month and who wouldn't mind being filmed throughout the entire surgical process, contact them for more information.Well, I mentioned Marc and I were both planning on having extensive makeovers soon so they said they'd call us to discuss the details.
How I Chose My DoctorThe production company mentioned some top names in Beverly Hills who had agreed to participate in the documentary, and although they have great reputations and are highly skilled, we wanted our surgery performed by a doctor whom we knew personally, Dr. John Armitage Rusca of Atlanta, Georgia.Dr. Rusca had helped me with the content for the less-commonly performed procedures, such as buttock, calf, pectoral and jaw augmentation, back when YTF was a little black and bright pink personal journal on AOL.He had been performing plastic surgery since before I was born (he started early and I would never consider him as "old").He is board certified in plastic surgery (which the Discovery had wanted), performed lots of male surgery (a plus for Marc), and also performed liposculpture with very small cannulae instead of large ones (more time consuming, but better results). Dr. Rusca also has a state of the art, beautifully decorated, 20,000 square foot facility of his own with an onsite hospitality suite and everything imaginable.We felt that the facility should definitely be documented, because it is incredible, plus it had the room, and aftercare facilities that we would need as well. Although we had decided on him to perform our surgeries without question, we hadn't asked him yet so we crossed our fingers and gave him a call.Well, Dr. Rusca said YES!YAY!! My ConsultationWe flew to Atlanta a month before for our surgeries to get our physical examinations, paperwork out pf the way, discuss options, etc.We got in super early and got our rental car and hotel, then had some breakfast at Waffle House which was close.THEY HAVE GRITS HERE!!! I pigged on cheese grits, eggs, breakfast sausage and decaf coffee.I am elated!!I never get grits living on the West coast, and might I add that is probably a good thing. After breakfast, we went to the store to check out where we would shop for food when we came back for surgery, grabbed some property magazines out of curiosity, grabbed an Easter gift for Dr. Rusca's office and headed over for our consults. We immediately recognized the building as it looks just like the artist's rendition I had always seen.We walked in and were mesmerized by the sheer, size, decor and opulence. We walked in, a little early mind you, and spoke with Courtney, the front desk receptionist.We then saw Dr. Rusca and Cecilia and were greeted by them.Finally we meet!After all these yeas, I was immediately comfortable around them.We talked a little bit, I gave them the Easter gifts and sat down and talked a bit about one another. We then were brought to the examination rooms to hang out all the fat and body parts to be reworked.I discussed the desired procedures at length and had exactly the same ideas as Dr. Rusca.Although I like bigger lips and cheeks than he does (he kids me about that) he said it was ME who had to be happy with the results and that he was the tool with which I could obtain that goal.He suggested Radiance FN for my lips to define the borders and augment the vermilion.I am delighted! We went back to our hotel, took a nap and met Dr Rusca and Cecilia for fantastic Italian dinner later on that night.Dr. Rusca and I both had veal ravioli.I rarely have veal but I was in the mood for ravioli in a tomato cream sauce and it was the only ravs they had.And it was gooooood.Cecilia had light fare, I think Marc had something really good and we talked and talked about everything. We had to call it a night pretty early because Dr. Rusca had surgery in the morning. The next day, we got up early and had some Waffle House again for breakfast and took off to the Phipps Plaza for a little Tiffany's fix.That afternoon, we took off to meet a few of the girls from the boards. Back in Vegas - Preparing For My ProceduresAlthough there was really no preparation for Radiance specifically, since I was having surgical procedures as well, I had to get lab work done. What an ordeal, everyone and their grandmothers were sick at the laboratory.Marc had come down with something as well but I stayed in the clear.All of our tests were taken and I had the biggest bruise in the crook of my arm for almost 2 ½ weeks. Then the lab failed to fax Marc's HepB results to Dr. Rusca, so we had to fight with them on that and get I resent.Speaking of tests, is it me or does anyone get nervous every time they have to take a score of tests like that?Like I'm going to find out that I am dying or something.I am paranoid about germs and disease so this freaks me out. Back In AtlantaThe weeks flew by, as did Boobapalooza Viva Las Vegas 2004, where I was forced to have small lips for the party, lol.We flew back to Atlanta on a red-eye, got their early.Later on we began shopping for post-op foods, gear, our meds, etc.We interviewed with Discovery again the night before surgery and had a 'last meal" with the crew and then I went upstairs to post on the boards, and go to sleep.I was pretty nervous and excited so I took an Ativan and went to sleep. The Procedure - May 5, 2004Wow 5:30 am comes early!So here I am ready for surgery and LIPS!! today!!After all of my other procedures (if interested see list dated May 5, 2004 on Bio page) were performed, Dr. Rusca did my lips: Immediate ThoughtsThe first thing I remember is my catheter tubing got caught on the edge of the gurney.The film crew was on the side the staff usually is so they had to move around them to get me into the recovery bed.Well, it got caught.I said "Ow ow ow, something hurts" and Marc said her catheter tube is caught.So that was fixed immediately.I don't remember it actually hurting but I remember a pulling sensation. Then couldn't breathe!!So I started saying, "I can't breathe, I can't breath, I can't breathe" over and over again.It turned out that the lack of sensation in your abdomen makes you feel like you can't breathe.Sonya said to me, "You are getting enough oxygen, you are fine."So, I shut up, lol.As long as my oximeter is reading that I have oxygen, I'm cool. It also turned out the garment I had, which was a medium, was a little tight on me and that was freaking me out, but only at first.Then it happened, delayed but it did happen... HOOOOORRRKKK!I got sick.I totally forgot to take my Zofran!The little movement from coming off that gurney to the recovery bed must have set it off.I said out loud, "I'm gonna be sick!"Dr. McLeod who was standing near me, had a towel in his hand and threw it on my chest almost simultaneously, lol!He must have seen the look on my face, and thank goodness, too!Right after I vomited into the towel, Sonya rushed over with a baby blue bowl for me to vomit into.I remember vomiting into the bowl once and then dry-heaving and then, that was it.Sickness subsided.However, I kept that bowl (cleaned) by me just in case I needed it again after that, but I never did. Surprisingly my lips didn't hurt yet, however I don't know if I was given local injections beforehand.But they felt normal.Dr. Rusca only did a little in the bottom lip and would add some more before we went home.
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