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solus sto posted 3/10/2014 16:08 PM

Something that has bothered me, since shortly after d-day, is the presence of a deep frown line between my eyes. It wasn't there before. Before d-day, I only had laugh lines--lines I love.

But the line between my eyes just reminded me of pain. I didn't want the reminder staring back at me every time I looked in the mirror. It made me look angry and unhappy, even when I was not.

Last week, I decided I'd had enough of the perma-frown inflicted on me by infidelity. I called a plastic surgeon and made an appointment for Botox injections. When I picked up the phone, I was still arguing with myself about doing it. The money could be put to many other uses, after all. I was offered an appointment 30 minutes after the call, and jumped on it because I knew if I waited until my next day off, I'd talk myself into spending the money on something else.

You know how your mother used to say, "If you make that face, it will stick that way?" She wasn't completely off the mark. It took FIVE DAYS for that Botox to fully relax the muscles responsible for the line between my eyes. During those days, I looked in the mirror and rued that I'd spent so much for so little. And then--THEN!--on Friday, I looked in the mirror, and that line was gone.

Now I see ME when I look in the mirror. I took my face back!

I started out wanting to get rid of an ugly reminder of an ugly time. I got a lot more. A seemingly superficial change effected a much more profound emotional shift.

If anyone else has a line that seems to taunt them whenever they look in the mirror, please know that it can be softened. It may seem vain. It may seem superficial. And maybe it is. But it feels awfully good to be rid of it.

caregiver9000 posted 3/10/2014 16:21 PM

This makes me happy. NOT superficial. How we feel about ourselves can be so complicated. I am happy for you.

Dreamboat posted 3/10/2014 16:24 PM

Good for you!!

But can you still give your kids "The Look" that keeps then in line?

notquiteoverit posted 3/10/2014 16:28 PM

Just noticed this post and had to chime in.
Yes, Botox is great! I know that deep frown line well. I had the same thing, except mine had been there since I was about 18. Made me look angry all the time. Two years ago I started Botox, and it is gone. I can now go more than 4 months in between injections.

seekingright2013 posted 3/10/2014 16:40 PM

Yes, Botox rocks. Same story here.

I live near a medical school, and I go to their cosmetic dermatology dept. It's reasonable IMHO. About $225 every 6 months.

Also I got rid of some spider veins on my cheeks & chin with their laser !!! OMG. That was about $250 and the best money I ever spent.

clralb posted 3/10/2014 17:11 PM

Yay for you!!

I need the exact same thing done. About how much does it cost?

AnnieOakley posted 3/10/2014 19:03 PM

A convert here too.

I know almost exactly when I started, which was about 2 months after dday. Hmmm???? Coincidence? I think not.

My "11's" I only get done about once a year now, but I've moved onto my forehead too.

I'm quite conservative and still want a little movement to appear natural.

I think it is money well spent!

solus sto posted 3/11/2014 08:39 AM

The doctor I see is very conservative, too. I still have movement, just no deep furrow. It's wonderful.

I still can give my kids The Look. Unfortunately they still laugh at it; I'm not known for my ability to intimidate.

Cost? My doc charges one of three way: by syringe ($500), by facial region ($200 each), or by unit of Botox ($14). Allergen currently has a promotion, too. It wasn't cheap, this first time ($500--she used a full syringe), but future treatments will probably be done first as a single region and, after a time or two, with just a few units.

Well, unless my face starts falling apart. Judging by my mothers' aging, I'll be good for a while.

KVille posted 3/11/2014 11:37 AM

I love Botox. I have tried several different brands and have found you get what you pay for with these.
I went the first time because my acne scars just became wrinkles on my forehead. After a week so many people told me I didn't look angry anymore !

This is the one thing I do for me that I hope I can keep paying for.

nutmegkitty posted 3/11/2014 11:38 AM

Good for you for doing that!!! I did fillers last year and was so happy with the results. Maybe I need to move on to Botox...

kwash posted 3/11/2014 12:04 PM

Ok - I have been thinking about Botox for a while, but keep putting it out of my mind because:
1) I am 'against' plastic surgery
2) I am afraid of needles
3) I am afraid of side-effects and death
4) I am worried my "11s" are too deep for Botox

Now this thread has me thinking I have to just book it and do it!! Anyone have anything to say to help me with 1-4 above? I think I can get past 1 and 2 by focusing on the positive outcome. 3 is a little harder, though I haven't done much reading on the subject of potential side effects (maybe that would be worse).

With respect to 4 how bad were your "11s"? I am mid-40s and have had mine for years, probably since mid-20s. One isn't too bad, but the other is quite deep and about an inch long. If I'm going to do it I want results!! I don't have any other wrinkles I am concerned with - my Mom is in her 80's and her skin looks great!

Help me bite this bullet SI peeps!!

[This message edited by kwash at 12:05 PM, March 11th (Tuesday)]

Must Survive posted 3/11/2014 12:13 PM

What is 11's?

Which wrinkles are 11?

kwash posted 3/11/2014 12:19 PM

"11's" are vertical lines between your eyes/above your nose. Some people jsut have one, others get two so they look like an "11". If you don't have them you can make them by squinting hard/making an angry look. I have had mine for years - and I am not an agry/stressed out person. I have them 24/7 even when sleeping!

UKgirl posted 3/11/2014 12:29 PM

I’ve had eye surgery and breast implants (not my best idea as I’ve worn a bra in bed ever since). I’m considering the botox/anti-wrinkle treatment too. I have those deep lines between my eye brows and in the last couple of years I developed lines on my top lip. I hate them! I wear “camouflage” make up to try and hide them, but it just softens. I want them gone!

So, an appointment for me in the next week, I think! Thanks for the nudge.

[This message edited by UKgirl at 12:30 PM, March 11th (Tuesday)]

Blackhair posted 3/11/2014 12:38 PM

I used to be against these type of surgery big time, but I did Botox too right after Dday, love it.
I spent $330 every six months, well worth it, I started to do my nails, pedi, medi often as well.
Feel good to be pampered, I tried to go out more, ski more, more fun period even tho I have young children, I am lucky I have a full time sitter -:)

Life is too short not to enjoy!

kwash posted 3/11/2014 13:29 PM

So....how much does it hurt? Donating blood level, bikini wax level, novocaine level?

solus sto posted 3/11/2014 14:55 PM

For me, it was kind of like eyebrow-waxing, in terms of pain. I did have a little bruising, and a headache as the muscles relaxed. Which was weird, but not uncommon. Nothing major.

I had to talk myself into it. I'm not keen on the never ending quest to look young, but really didn't like this line. I think it does have the potential to be a slippery slope, though!

aLadypilot posted 3/11/2014 15:00 PM

Botox around the eyes isn't too bad. I've only done my forehead once, it was rather painful with stinging. I think you all are paying too much though. I try to get it for $8.50 - $10 per unit of Botox. My crows feet take 20 units, for comparison sake. Don't be afraid to shop around. I see a technician, not a plastic surgeon, and I won't go to anyone else now.

solus sto posted 3/11/2014 19:24 PM

I paid the average in this area. The same surgeon has a medspa, though, and runs frequent specials. I'll watch for those going forward--I just knew that if I waited, I would cancel. (It was hard to talk myself into this.)

For those interested, there are coupons on the Allergan website. I just looked and there is a $50 off Botox coupon right now. (Just Google "Allergan specials Botox.") You can also sign up for special offers.

PhoenixRisen posted 3/11/2014 20:05 PM

any advice for crows feet - does Botox work?