Dr. Milkovich and I met on Monday morning to begin my treatments at MD Esthetics. I was so nervous.  I knew that he would do a great job and I knew that he wasn’t going to change me so drastically that my family would starting calling me Joan, but I was apprehensive about “having work done”.

We started by looking at my photos and discussing the procedures that we were going to undertake. We decided that a little Botox would go a long way to relax the deep creases between my eyes and the frown lines around my mouth. Nothing drastic, but enough to make a difference in what I see in the mirror. I will also we doing IPL photorejuvenation. My face has been red and blotchy my entire life. Without that, my skin would be near flawless. (if I do say so myself) I had no idea it could even be treated. And lastly, I am getting lips, baby! I have a lovely full bottom lip, but my top lip is thin and completely disappears when I smile. Dr. Milkovich can actually plump up that top lip with a little filler and make it Angelina gorgeous, without being Angelina big.

The Botox treatments were easy-peasy. If you have ever done acupuncture, you can handle Botox. Just close your eyes and relax. It is over is a few minutes. The effects are gradual, so I am not seeing the true effects yet, but I am noticing a little relaxing around my eyes.

The lips, however, weren’t as fun and easy. My whole mouth (and teeth and tongue…) was frozen with topical anesthetic before anything began. Even though I couldn’t actually feel my lips, they felt 6 sizes too big and we hadn’t even started.  I (we) chose not to use the nerve blocker which would have frozen the whole bottom half of my face. I would have liked that even less than the few moments of discomfort. The lips are incredibly sensitive, so it did pinch a little having the filler injected, but it lasted only a moment.

He did warn me that my lips would swell and not to panic, but I did anyhow. I kept looking at myself in the mirror thinking “What the heck have you done?” They were *huge* and puffy, definitely not the lovely plump lips I had envisioned. On Tuesday morning, my lips were still puffy, but not Meg Ryan puffy. By Wednesday morning, the swelling was all but one leaving perfect gorgeous pouty lips. I love my new lips.

There is such a stigma around Botox and the like, but the techniques have come a long way. I am sure that many people have been thrilled with their results, but are too afraid to say that they have had a little Botox here and a little collagen there. There is no shame in doing something for yourself. There is no need for embarrassment.

So I will be the Botox poster child.

Friday, February 13^th, 2009

I met Dr. Milkovich, Dr, Banks and the MD Esthetics staff on Monday. They are a fabulous (and fabulous looking) crew.  The office is lovely, but not over-the-top corporate lawyer swanky, so I still felt comfortable in jeans. Ted, the photographer was busily setting up lighting and the camera to take some before shots and to film the big prize handover. I made sure to stop drinking water so that I looked particularly dry and insisted on minimal make-up so that I wouldn’t look too stunning in my before shots. I want the big reveal to be dramatic.

The prize handover was really fun, the first time. By the third or tenth take, it was hard to keep the smile from looking stiff. I wonder, is there a procedure for keeping a natural looking smile in every photo? That would be a big seller.

Yesterday, I had a chance to meet with Andrea, the organizer of this whole wonderful experience. We discussed scheduling for my different services and appointments. We discussed my goals for the make-over. I am feeling really excited talking about having my hair done and when we’ll do my make-up and photo shoot. I kept thinking that someone needed to pinch me because I don’t win things. I certainly don’t win huge makeovers.

I haven’t even started any of the services to help improve my outside, but I can already feel my insides getting better. Having the opportunity to really focus on myself and do something just for me is liberating. I feel giddy.