If I could tolerate the discomfort from multiple injections to numb me for a root canal that didn't do a thing to make me look more rested I can certainly tolerate out right pain if I had to for Voluma. My biggest issue is finding someone in the area who does it.

TR - did your DH get good results from Kybella?

Holly-Kay, be sure to get a good recommendation for a plastic surgeon or a very good dermatologist. I went to a plastic surgeon locally who is very, very good. His nurse applies a numbing cream about 15-20 minutes prior to any injections which really helps. In fact this time it took quite a while after I left the office for the numbing sensation to go away. I could still feel a few pricks, some worse than others, but totally worth it.

HK, the pain was nothing to me. I guess the reason I chuckled was because I had a certain sense of dread ahead of time, and it just was too negligible to even mention. And I'm not a crazy stoic when it comes to pain.

cattyles - yes, so far so good! It takes more than one Kybella treatment (doc said it would probably be only two though), and after each treatment the injected area swells significantly. DH said he felt like a bullfrog for a couple of weeks following the first go-round, but after the swelling went down we both began to notice that his double chin was shrinking. It takes time for the results to be observable and the effects seem to be cumulative, but DH has been pleased thus far.

OP, that is a problem. We live in such a weird area. I swear no one seems to care what their home or they look like. Yelp isn't reliable because who knows who is writing the review. I googled Voluma and my city and state and only one medical center came up. Their is a plastic surgeon in the next town that has done work on a local radio personality and he has only good things to say about this ps. You would think that their would be an abundance of cosmetic dermatologists and ps.

I just worked up the nerve to do Voluma, had my first injections today! I was so scared but it wasn't bad at all, pain wise. I think I'll have a few bruises, but I think I'm going to like it. I'll know more in a few days. She also put some Restylane around the mouth corners. My regular esthetician was scared to do the injections because my face is so thin, so she had her co-worker who also has a thin, narrow face do it. They are both very experienced, and passionate about it, and I think that is most important. I wish I hadn't waited so long!

I'm sorry if this has been mentioned before in a past thread. So the Voluma lasts two years and the Juvederm only one. How soon do you see the decline with both?

Good ol' Sure deodorant. Unscented; doesn't break off.

Or try Mitchum roll-on.

Aside from my hair color, I'm in the aging naturally camp. No injections for me.

We do live in a hypocritical world, though, don't we? Women are criticized for aging badly, but those who get tweaked have women whispering behind their backs, 'You know, she's had work done'...

As if they haven't!

I wouldnt mind getting a litter filler but what scares me is that even if using only one syringe, they are so many injection sites needed to dispense the Voluma and each and every prick of the needle or cannula could potentially cause problems if not now maybe later.

Shee, the length of time any of the injections last really depends on the individual. It's an average. I have had Juvederm 3 times now. The first time it lasted around 18 months before I decided to get a refresh. The second time It was over 2 years (2.5 iirc) before I had my 3rd injections this past January and I really didn't need it as badly as I did the first time around. So who knows how long I can go this time.

RoseAbbey, I don't know of any long-term side effects. With any drug there could be reactions by the individual to the drug, and it does mean you should do your homework to see if there is any reason to believe you would have a reaction. I've not known anyone to have anything but a little bruising or a little soreness in the case of Voluma because it is injected into more muscle in the cheek area.

Stratfordroad, that's great to hear! I hope you are pleased, even with a little bruising. Welcome to the club!

Thanks, Tibb, for the Sure recommendation!

Holly-Kay, I don't know how close you live to a major city, it might be worth it to travel a few hours to get it done if you are really considering it. Our 'city' isn't all that big, yet we pride ourselves in being a high-tech area and do have great medical facilities fortunately.

no comments on the injections, but i have had the same experience with the deodorants! both mitchum and sure! the mitchum seems to break off as one piece, but for me it has been when there's only 1/3-1/4 of it left... the sure has broken into several pieces... i haven't bothered returning it or complaining- but i usually try to mash it back onto the plastic and use it longer!

I use Mitchum roll on.

"We do live in a hypocritical world, though, don't we? Women are
criticized for aging badly, but those who get tweaked have women
whispering behind their backs, 'You know, she's had work done'...

As if they haven't!"

Ditto!

I have a question on fillers for long time users. Do you need more every time you get it done. As the face sags, it makes sense that more would be needed, is this correct?

RA, I'm by no means a long-time user, but my doctor told me that one should get periodic "top offs" and not wait until the filler is gone or nearly gone. This ensures that the filled look is maintained, and never requires as much as it did for the first treatment. Of course, this keeps you coming back to the provider, but that's something I plan on doing anyway.

Thanks TR, sort of makes sense but as our face ages and heads south you would think more would be required. I cant seem to wrap my brain around that. What I dont want to happen if I did get filler is to start our with l or 2 syringes and then as time goes by I need 3 and 4 and then 5 or 6. Not only the pain of I thinking of but the money.

sorry if this has been addressed, but what is a reasonable time to go between getting the fillers such as you have TQ? I know mileage may vary of course, but what is a realistic expectation? I think I would probably do very well with something but the $$ and fear are louder at this point.

I think what happens is you get enough of the Voluma on initial treatment (and that will vary by person) to arrive at exactly what you want to look like, and then your doctor periodically assesses how often you'll need to top off (and how much you'll need at top-off) after about 9 to 12 months. Many patients maintain full effects for 18 to 24 months, but if they don't top off, they are going to be right back at square 1 if they start all over once the product has worn off. At that time, they may require more than they did at initial treatment to regain the initial look. That's why topping off is vital. Think of it sort of along the lines of topping off your gas tank because you want to see that indicator at "Full", not 1/2 tank, not 1/4 tank, but Full.

That makes sense TR. I am seriously thinking of getting some, I know DH would not be happy about it though. I wonder if I can get away without telling him. Does it gradually fill out or what you see when the session is done is the look you get. Hope you dont mind me asking these questions.

Don't mind your questions at all, RA! If you get Voluma, the results are instant. I would think your DH would notice. You might even be a little bit swollen after your first session, making it even more noticeable. I'm not sure about other fillers as to how quickly they act. With Botox it's a gradual thing before full results are visible.

Why would your DH not be happy about it? (If you don't mind my asking.)

I think it is fear that something will go wrong, if not the first time, maybe some other time, as this sounds like a life long commitment,

I agree with TR. I don't think it is true that more is needed. I have had Juvederm 3 times now and Botox several times to refresh around my eyes after blephareplasty and the '11's' between the eyebrows. I think it is the same amount each time, or maybe less for the Juvederm. I know that I have not waited until the sagging was as bad as originally for the marionette lines. And I have gone longer between times that I needed it.

I just can't imagine keeping this up " but if they don't top off, they are going to be right back at square 1 if they start all over once the product has worn off. At that time, they may require more than they did at initial treatment to regain the initial look. That's why topping off is vital. Think of it sort of along the lines of topping off your gas tank because you want to see that indicator at "Full", not 1/2 tank, not 1/4 tank, but Full"

Before the endless quest to combat time one is at " square 1".

Here is a lot of info...the cost is huge...at least I think so. How many years can one realistically keep this up ???? 5/10/20/30....when do you decide that enough is enough ? A dose of reality instead of Voluma may be in order .

https://www.google.com/#q=how%20much%20does%20voluma%20cost&rct=j

anicca:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impermanence

Trail - I think that was quite rude. If it's not your cup of tea, fine. But the condescension towards other women's choices is completely unnecessary. A dose of reality? How about a dose of live and let live? Or is that not a Buddhist teaching as well?

Doesn't the time eventually come when a filler is no longer enough? I mean gravity continues to do its thing and won't a lift eventually become necessary?

Trail, should ye who has chosen to take HRT for 20 plus years when that's hardly recommended be telling other people what they should do?

CindyMac, yes, that is true, a surgical facelift is the only way to fix things, especially in the neck area eventually. A plastic surgeon will even tell you that, or mine did anyway. I can't see myself doing injections forever, or at least not into my 80's. But 20 years ago, I didn't think I would be doing this either. Never say never.

I am happy overall with my looks but I am looking tired. I don't need to look younger I just want to look refreshed. On the inside I feel like I'm forty but the outside tells the tale of my maturity. I would like the outside to be more representative of how young I feel. The years between forty and sixty were my very attractive years. I suppose I am vain enough to want to add a few more years onto that.

I would rather wait for a complete facelift that is a more permanent solution. It seems more practical to spend $30k on a single procedure than nearly that much over the years on smaller changes. Im afraid in principle of surgery, but far less of being asleep than enduring multiple injections while awake :-)

FWIW, i don't see anything rude about pointing out the long term cost of a treatment when several people have expressed concern about that very thing on this thread.

lots of people don't like the aging process- i don't either, tho at this point i still hope to avoid going the injections or surgery route! the pharmaceutical companies are thrilled that so many are choosing injections, i'm sure, and will keep pouring $ into research to keep finding ways for us to look younger!

l also don't see what's rude about giving an opinion about it...

Surgery does not give you volume, it helps correct sagging skin. I have been very lucky or maybe because I was vigilant about wearing sunscreen/hats staying out of the sun, using retin a etc. for most of my life that my skin is great and I dont have any sagging jowels or neck. Its just my face is thinning out so that is why I was considering filler.

There doesnt have to be an argument about this. We are hear to learn from each other, not criticize if someone has a different opinion than we do.

Perhaps condescending is a more apt term than rude. A link to a blurb on the concept of impermanence seemed unnecessarily holier than thou. We all know we're aging and are in fact only temporary, yet some of us here have made certain choices that have enhanced our lives and want to share about it with those who have an interest. That's my opinion on Trail's post and that's all I'm going to say about it.

ETA: No, I wil say one more thing and that is that I admire Trailrunner and long have. She has always seemed to be a woman who is very open minded and considerate. I think her words (which I felt were unduly critical) took me by surprise more than anything. Really, I don't care what anyone thinks about my cosmetic choices. I think what bothered me were words that I felt were harsh from a participant I have always liked.

And NOW that's all I'm going to say about it. Happy weekend, ladies.

Thank you for that info, Linelle. I am saving up now and appreciate hearing about how fillers are managed in the long term so I will be prepared.

Thanks Linelle. I am grateful to you, TR and others who graciously share their experiences when asked about a very personal issue.

Trail, I agree with you and, speaking for myself at age 64, do not plan to do any of this. Why just this week, a 20-something teacher was so surprised to find out that I am 64! She thought I was "about 55!" Ha-I didn't smack her in case you are wondering. Teehee.

TR, seems to me that one really does need to go into this with eyes open (dose of reality) as far as the cost, which is not insignificant, the apparent need to keep it up, and the side effects that could occur. I know you and others here are happy and that is all good, but some may not do the research that I think I remember you talking about in another thread. Bringing up possible issues should not be a problem. I find trailrunner to be one of the least judgmental people here and am a bit surprised at your defensiveness. No one has said you shouldn't do whatever you want. Please do not take offense at others who have no desire to do it and who don't see any real benefit to their lives in undergoing cosmetic procedures. She gave her opinion and asked a very valid question about how long one might continue this. A friend of my family was a well-known and respected plastic surgeon in Philadelphia. He and his wife were wonderful people and we adored them. As they got older, her face always looked so young and beautiful. However, her body was that of an 80+ year old woman. She moved like an 80+ year old and became fragile as an elderly woman. It was rather sad, I thought, that this incongruence was quite obvious. I suspect she was happy and I am glad of that, but I found my mother much lovelier as she aged. My plan is to do as my mother.

It's nice that you're happy with the choices you're making, cyn. I believe there are many different ways to age gracefully (and we can have opinions but truly cannot say what is right or wrong for someone else). There are so many options and many directions to take. And isn't it nice to have so many to choose from?

I think women are entirely too critiical of one another's choices, and I have to include myself in that camp as well, because there have been many times I've found fault with what others have opted for. But really, life is so incredibly short and we are here for such a brief time. We are ALL hypocritical and defensive about certain things - bit live and let live is a beautiful outlook I'm continuing to strive to abide by.

" ... at age 64, [I] do not plan to do any of this. Why just this week, a 20-something teacher was so surprised to find out that I am 64! She thought I was "about 55!"

It's great that you naturally look 10 years younger without any help. Not everyone is so lucky to have aged so well. Do you think you might feel differently if that teacher was surprised to find out that you are 64 because she thought you looked 74? IMO, those who look naturally youthful don't really have a need to consider cosmetic treatments.

No one here has discussed going into perilous debt from having had repeated cosmetic procedures. Everyone seems to be reading, researching and inquiring about all the side effects and efficacy of the various options.

So how long can you keep it up? I say as long as it feels important to you and you can afford it.

Everyone is subject to heredity. We all age -- or don't -- in different ways and at different paces. I had a 93 year old friend who was gorgeous at 93. Others, as we know, not so much at 60!

Trailrunner is a pal of mine and I know her to be a caring and dedicated friend. She's the type who would drive up and take care of you if a procedure went wrong!

But we should be able to discuss this topic openly with the understanding that some don't see the need and consider it unnecessary and others cannot imagine life without it.

Not everyone who has work done has good work done -- we've all seen that. I was 2 feet from the late Michael Jackson years ago -- that was pretty scary.

Women and men who are trying to look 30 at 60 also can get pretty scary up close especially when there is the contrast with very different skin one on the hands and arms.

But the bottom line is: so what?

No one asks a young woman who gets breast implants or has her nose done or gets botox how long she will keep it up. IMO, the same should apply to a woman of any age.

The answer is until I don't feel the need, go broke, or I'm dead. Whichever comes first.

As they got older, her face always looked so young and beautiful. However, her body was that of an 80+ year old woman. She moved like an 80+ year old and became fragile as an elderly woman. It was rather sad, I thought, that this incongruence was quite obvious. I suspect she was happy and I am glad of that, but I found my mother much lovelier as she aged. My plan is to do as my mother.

If she was happy isn't that what's important?

But the bottom line is: so what?

I agree.

Jelly, I should have said, "sarcasm alert!" I probably should have spelled it out more clearly. I was not feeling complimented or thinking wow, ten years younger. I actually, I thought it was rather amusing because I don't consider 55 to be so young and consider someone that age to be kind of my contemporary. Now, had she said 40...

And, that is exactly what I was saying-if you are happy, so what? I was making my choice for myself just as everyone else does. I probably should quit chiming in here because I apparently do not write things clearly enough. Dancing off the stage now.

Cyn, I always thought that looking "ten years younger" was what everyone hopes for! :-)

I just read the vehicle thread where many said they drive expensive luxury cars. I drive a Kia and my luxury is spending money on my face. As they say in car talk, Your Mileage May Vary. It's all depreciative assets anyway.

;-)

jellytoast, what bout 10 lbs thinner--LOL! All these threads have had me think about this stuff, but really, I would love coolsculpting/laser lipo on my midsection more if I had to choose.

Jelly, I think I just tend to forget that I am 64 and I definitely don't feel old. I didn't even think about it being ten years until you said it. Wow. Funny how that works-at this point, DH and I would consider over 80 to be "getting old"-ha.

oh, and a lot of those folks on the car thread were buying used (cpo), which is what I also do, although I may move to leasing. Frankly, I keep cars until they fall apart, get totaled by some poor fellow not paying attention (my allroad), or stop running. Love my Audi and it is very inexpensive to own, truth be told.

One more thought...be careful of how many 'units' of whatever is being injected you are paying for. Ask whoever is doing the injections if they really need to open another vial to complete the work on your face. Partial 'Units' not being fully used (but paid for by you) often go to the family and friends of the health professionals that do their work on you. I promise.

'Depreciative assets' lol! Hadn't really thought about my face that way!

A woman that I met had the oddest mouth. My guess was that she had a lip plumper and they used too big a needle/too much fill and when she didn't maintain it. It was disfuguring; there were significant vertical wrinkles in and around the mouth. The second time I met her she looked more normal. I don't know her well enough to ask any questions little less anything about her mouth. Is such a problem a known side effect?

@practigal. Yes.

There can be side effects to all cosmetic procedures. You take a risk every time you have something done. Thankfully the majority dont have any issues.

Thanks!