A taste of my own medicine

Getting filler happened by chance.

I attended an advanced filler course and one of the models dropped out. Our tutor, a plain-speaking incredibly likeable nurse practitioner from Yorkshire, asked if anyone wanted their ‘cheeks done’ and she pointed at me, obviously having sized me up as a face in need. I said something about my age, apologising for the state of my face that showed the signs of a 7-year old who loves an early morning and as we walked out to sign the consent paperwork, she asked if I had lost weight recently. Covid had taken its toll and though I’d put the weight back on, my face hadn’t recovered, in fact, it had fallen faster than my depleting oestrogen levels. She estimated my facial ‘lost volume’ at about 8mls, which is not uncommon.

There’s a lot of aesthetic work out there and a lot of it is not that very good. I had been thinking about a little ‘work’ but was paranoid about rocking up at the hospital and every medical professional seeing the consequences of my actions. I also had a family funeral two days later which was adding to my foreboding. This is why any practitioner worth their salt, will politely decline to undertake any procedures before a big event.

So, with my peers with their syringes at the ready, the aim was to regain volume and support the lower face. I was told I didn’t need anaesthetic cream and actually, it wasn’t too bad. Disconcertingly, after one injector had finished an area on my left cheek, she said she didn’t have enough filler left for the top bit! In saying this, the injector audience kept adding positive nods at the appreciation of their work, which I took as a good sign. They added approximately 3.5ml quality filler to each cheek which is not an inconsiderable amount.

That evening I was a bit sore, no bruising, skin quality good, no real swelling. Pain intermittent: 2-3/10. I was taking paracetamol for a virus and I think that helped. I told my friend and she seemed impressed. I was told to try not to sleep on one side that night but failed dismally!

Day 1

Checked my face immediately in the mirror; it hadn’t fallen off. Who knew after putting 7ml of high quality hyaluronic filler into my cheeks they would be a bit sore and tender to touch. Slightly swollen, but nothing too obvious. No bruising and literally no one noticed!

In the evening I noticed a bit of a ledge had developed under the right eye, which I suspected was the weight of my glasses. I  warmed the area and massaged it away gently, though I was not sure you were supposed to do that. A bit of asymmetry i.e one cheek is a bit bigger than another, but early days and that is to be expected. I decided to try and take my own advice, give it 14 days so things can settle and for the filler to integrate.   

Day 2

Told my sister at my elderly aunt’s funeral about my recent procedure, I mean she’s known my cheeks a very long time and she was very impressed. Taking this as a good sign and feeling a bit more reassured.

Day 3-4

Still, a bit tender to touch.

Day 6

Definitely more swollen on the right but looks ok. No one has mentioned a thing.

Day 8

Starting to settle nicely.

Day 10

Had my colour and cut done, so pleasingly I’m no longer as grey. My fabulous long-time hairdresser had noticed I was ‘looking good’ and was impressed by how natural it was.

Day 14

I am thrilled and feel I have my face back. Even better my sister has subsequently said I ‘rocked’ perhaps slightly inappropriately at the funeral. The people I tell are surprised, in a very good rather incredulous way about how natural it looks.

Good aesthetics is all about balance, making you look refreshed and I honestly feel more confident and I feel younger.