Background: I have an upper lip that is not very harmonious with other features nor is it attractively shaped. My original upper lip length was 22mm. I had an upper lip lift with Dr Stephen Baker 6 months ago, so it is now 16mm. It was a traditional skin only lift. (For that experience, see my other review.) The corner and side areas of my lips curled under and down and I also had a corner that dipped down, all of which made my smile teepee-ish and a little grim. (For the latter, I had tried filler but it didn’t work.) So I wanted to see what I could do to help the side and corners of my upper lip.
Pre Op Experience with Dr Haworth’s staff:
Professional, kind and accommodating. No complaints. It was a good experience. They answered questions, had paperwork ready, helped in any way they could.
Pre Op Experience with Dr. Haworth:
Phone Consult: I first had an initial phone consult with him 8 months ago but ended up going with Dr Baker. Dr Haworth had recommended a series of procedures that were not within my budget and I was nervous about a lip lift that involved muscle hemming. On top of that, I was worried about a doctor who lived in Beverly Hills. I assumed the aesthetic I sought was not part of the Beverly Hills world.
In-person consult: He was professional. Offered his perspective on my previous lip lift with another doctor, which I requested. To wit, he said that Baker did a good job but that had I gone with him, Haworth, he would have been able to take out an additional 3-4 mm from the center and 8mm from the sides and that with his technique he would not have distorted my nostrils. Baker did not want to take out that much at once. Baker wanted to take it in stages. Baker had said he wanted to do an approach where he took off 8mm at first — but it has since dropped 1.5mm– and if I still wanted more taken off at one year post op, he would decide if it could be done without nostril distortion.
Dr. Haworth believes that the external medicalized lip lift he was suggesting I do would make a big difference in my lip’s appearance. I felt good about our consult and decided to go through with the operation, which was the next day.
Day of Surgery:
People in the office were nice and processional. Dr. Haworth spent an enormous amount of time marking my lips and then he put me under anesthesia for the procedure. It was twilight supposedly but I was completely and totally out. (With Dr Baker and the upper lip lift, I had a dental block of some kind and was awake and talking the whole time.) During the operation, Dr Haworth also, at my request, lazered my scar under my nose from previous surgery, which was raised..
I am now a few hours post op and so far so good. My lips are a little sore and achey but I am armed with pain killers so I will use them soon. I was told to expect swelling to increase over next few days. But in comparison with lip lip, this surgery should not take as long to recover.
I am returning to Dr. Haworth’s office in 5 days to remove the stitches.
