LAM FACIAL PLASTICS

Dr. Lam,

Thanks for answering my previous question...I have another for you.

I have had 2 rounds of silicon with a "skilled" injector, but I can not tell the difference in my lips (there is a very slight difference in volume, but not enough for friends and family to even notice). I have seen many before and after pics of silicon lip augmentation and it seems most people have visible results after 2 rounds. I had previously planned on being finished after 2 rounds!

Do you think my lack of growth is injector dependent or do some people just take more rounds? I believe my injector used a "standard" amount of silicon, but I do not know the exact amounts.

Also, my the other injector said she was unable to improve the shape my lips (she could only make them fuller by working with the shape I have). Can you use the silicon to improve the shape of the lips? My lower lip is like a straight line even though it is slightly fuller in the center. When my lips are in resting position, it almost looks like I'm frowning!

Thanks for your advice!

again, i cannot speak on your injector's work only my own. i can say this about MY patients:
1. yes, i have had disappointed patients after 2 rounds. i now really try to be careful with what i promise. here is the best analogy: if a woman with size A breasts wants size DD breasts, she will need more "silicone", i.e., a bigger implant. someone with a size C breast won't need as much silicone to do the same job.

also, we oftentimes need to break down the two components of lip augmentation to anterior-posterior volume and vertical red show. if you have very narrow lips, it may be very hard to get much result in any situation. usually i can still do some work on the bottom lip to save a patient some funds and still get great results. i do NOT want to say that to you to tell your doc because i have no idea how your doc "sees" a lip. remember experience and artistry are 2 different things. you can't teach artistry...even if you are experienced. that is why reviewing your injector's handiwork is a critical first step of understanding if you are on the same aesthetic page, which brings me to point #2.

2. ABSOLUTELY, I CREATE SHAPE. THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL ATTRIBUTES OF GOOD SILICONE AUGMENTATION. IT IS NOT JUST BLOWING A LIP UP. IT IS DESIGNING A NATURAL LOOKING LIP AND RECREATING THE CURVES OF A GOOD LOOKING LIP. I AM NOT JUST TECHNICALLY BLOWING A LIP UP. I AM SHAPING IT. NO QUESTION AT ALL. HAVE YOU SEEN MY VIDEOS AND BEFORE AND AFTERS? THAT IS SO CRITICAL THAT I CAN'T BEGIN TO EXPRESS IT MORE CLEARLY.
best,
sml

Thanks Dr. Lam, I made an appointment to see you in November!

I have another question for you unrelated to lip augmentation...

The tip (and just the tip) of my nose is slightly crooked. Can the tip of a nose be corrected with minimal down time? I'm not very familiar with nose jobs, but I have read that it can take a long time (i.e. 8 months - 1 year) before the swelling completely goes away. Would this be different if I only wanted to get the tip corrected?

Thanks!

the tip still takes a year to settle but that is MINOR swelling. major swelling is down within 10 days.
best,
sml