Botox - A Girl's Best Friend or Happy Birthday to Me
Ahhhh. I forgot just how glorious Botox® truly is! I turned 35 on May 22 and realized this past year had been so crazy-busy that my last Botox injection was almost a year ago. And I was starting to look like it, too. I called my doctor up, begged her to fit me in for an appointment, and off I went to get ‘toxed.
As I sat in the chair, she proceeded to use my face as a dartboard and worked her magic. I had forgotten how much it could sting (especially if it’s right before your menstrual cycle, ladies). Plus, the cost of Botox went up. Again. And like an addict, I would have sold my car on the spot for a shot, or three. Your doctor’s cost is about $505. per vial these days ($5.05 per unit at 100 units per vial, and at normal reconstitution, that’s 4 cc of product per vial, equaling approximately 4 treatment areas). Factor in the mark-up at about $250. an area in average places in Los Angeles making Botox® one of the most expensive habits one can have, outside collecting flawless gemstones. But, oh is it worth it!!!
By the end of the appointment I had a Botox® treatment in the glabellar area (for that furrow between the eyebrows), my forehead (Botox® Brow Lift) and at the outer eyes preventing any crow’s feet from ever forming. Oh, the rising cost of beauty, considering it was about $273. per vial 8 years ago. But alas, an ounce of preventative Botox® is definitely worth a pound of cure. I strongly believe in thwarting the effects of aging before they even consider targeting in on me.
Thinking back, I was happily sitting there with an icepack on my face, mentally counting down the kick-in period, which for me is about 3 to 4 days. And as promised, here I sit with perfect arches and a smooth forehead again. Better yet, I can smile and look younger than a 3 year old. YAY ME!!! I think I shall gift my doctor with my firstborn.
Marianne
Ugh! My Botox stopped working last month. I made it a month and a half! Now that I am truly in a full jones, I need to make an appointment for more. My crow’s feet are fine, it’s the glabella and forehead that did not take unfortunately :(
Hopefully I can get into the doc’s office and get my ‘Tox ON because I this wrinkle business has got to go!
M
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Reader Comments (10)
It seems like the underlying factor with Botox and facial fillers is to simply look like a better version of yourself, or better yet, a more youthful version. Enjoy your pick-me-up!
Absolutely! Unless you have severe augmentation with fillers, or really bad Botox injections, you should maitain your entire physical identity. You can achieve a more youthful, rested look with small, non-invasive procedured such as these.
Also, starting younger can keep you looking younger longer. It's like maintenance in anything else you may have: cars, houses, boats. Take care of it and it will take care of you. And wear sunblock for goodness sake! :)
When are you going to let everyone at YTF know about your recent surgeries? You posted once after your explant and then dissapeared! Did you drop the YTF boards and everyone there?
Many of us would like to hear about your updates, how things are now, and how you are feeling. Seems you sold the boards and then left us completely.
I already told everyone about my recent surgeries and when I do post, no one seems to care. In fact I had one jerk accuse me of spamming the forums when I posted some news articles. I honestly don't even feel welcome there anymore. I really don't. Which is a shame, but it is true.
Hi Marianne,
I remember you from your prior forum and am so glad to have found you again - your posts are so informed and so entertaining and honest!
I've been getting botoxed regularly for several years and am considering juvederm for the creases running down from my nose. My question is - have you tried juvederm and if so, do you think it is a good choice for the lines between brows, too - or should I stick with the botox there?
Would love to hear your thoughts on favorite fillers for these two areas?
Thanks!
I actually like Juvesderm a lot. But I like Botox as well. I would stick with a combo of fillers and the Botox if your doc deems it beneficial. I would definitely stick with the Botox in the glabellar area. If you don't find that the lack of movement stimulates your own collagen growth and the lines lessen, go for the Juvederm as well.
I am kind of in the mood for some more n/l fillers so I understand where you are coming from. Nothing like a little touch up to make a girl feel pretty again ;)
On a personal note, thank you so much for writing and for your lovely compliments. I really enjoy reading the responses :)
Let me know how that Juve derm goes!
Marianne,
I agree with you about the board. I have been hanging out there for about 5 years, but the tone has changed since you left. happy to have found you. You are so full of good information and i so appreciate that. Take care. hmm for some reason this is putting in words twice
I'm finding my botox hardly lasts 6 weeks now - is that normal? In the forehead in particular, I know I have strong muscles there and I always tell my doc to 'kill the forehead!'. But he still takes it much easier than my other doc. I wonder if it's a money thing as he sees me more frequently. Also he started putting some around my lips to curl them out and have a slight youthful look - I've never noticed it. But yet. I'm charged for it...thoughts?
Hi. I'm new to this and don't really have a comment. I don't even know if I'm on the right blog. It's just that I'm 46 and really depressed about the way I'm aging. I'm considering the upper and lower eyelid surgery, but I'm really scared. Is there a blog or site where I can actually talk to others in the Cincinnati area who have had very positive and/or negative outcomes with this type of surgery?
Pamela,
I didn't get your response until just now. For some reason my alert isn't working :( It is so good to see you here. I am glad you stopped by :) I miss the way it used to be!
M
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Shannon,
I would definitely let your doc know of your displeasure. I am sure he would help you out because if he did not, he would lose your business entirely. It should be lasting more than 6 weeks!
Re: the lip treatment...Take some before and afters and if you still don't see it. I would tell him enough already, if you aren't noticing it with photos then it isn't happening to the point of being worth the money.
:)M
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Vicky,
I would try the facial plastic surgery forum. There are patients who have had good and bad results and would be more han happy to help you out. http://www.facialplasticsurgery.net/forum/forum.php
I am sorry you are going through this :( hopefully this will set you in the right direction for doing something effective about it. Stay positive!
M