The Journey Beneath the Surface: My Honest Lip Filler Experience
Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt that something was just slightly off? A little imbalance that nagged at you, not in a dramatic way, but in the quiet moments when you studied your own reflection? That was me, for years, with my lips.
They were uneven, noticeably thin on one side, and lacked volume. I have large eyes and a fuller face, and I felt that imbalance—like a painting where the proportions were just a little off. This wasn't a whim, not some impulsive decision made after watching a trendy video. I had wanted this done for four or five years, long before lip injections became a mainstream conversation. The real catalyst? My wedding, just three weeks away. I knew I wanted to feel my best, to walk down the aisle without piling on layers of lip liner. I wanted to look at close-up photos and see a happy bride, not a woman self-conscious about her asymmetrical lips.
The First: A Grand Opening and a Nerves Test
I went to a med spa called Elevated Med Spa in Indianapolis, where a good friend works. The first session happened on their grand opening day, and I was actually a model for a practitioner named Sarah, who was getting certified. That explains the crowd you might see in the room—trainers, observers, everyone there to ensure it was done perfectly. Sarah was careful, conservative, which I appreciate infinitely more than the alternative. I would rather have too little and need to add than have too much and regret it.
The day arrived, and I was nervous but excited. I was 99% sure I was getting Restylane Kyss, which is a specific type of filler. After numbing cream and a lot of deep breathing, the procedure began. The first few pokes were genuinely painful. I won't sugarcoat it. I am a bit of a pain baby, and I even nearly passed out. Why? Two reasons: I hadn't eaten breakfast, and the sheer nervousness of so many people watching me got the better of my system. My face went pale, I went quiet, and they had to give me a granola bar to bring me back. The trainer said something I will never forget: "The worst thing you can do is hold your breath." That is a hundred percent true. You have to breathe with the needle. Inhale deeply as they insert, exhale slowly as they inject the filler. It sounds simple, but it is the difference between a panic attack and a manageable experience.
I did not have liquid numbing (lidocaine injected directly into my lips) the first time, only the topical cream. The numbing cream kicked in more as they worked, so the later pokes were less intense. But the first few? They stung. The second time I went back, I did have the lidocaine injection, and it hurt a little bit less, though my lips were already tender from the first round of pokes.
The Second: The Swelling and the Surrender
Because Sarah was conservative, I went back for a second round the same day, this time with the doctor who owns the practice. That first night? I looked ridiculous. I literally felt like that Instagram pillow-face filter. I sent a video to my fiancé, Brad, and I was dying laughing at myself because I couldn't take myself seriously. The swelling was intense, and the pain was real. It hurt so much that drinking from a straw or eating was difficult. I took Tylenol, drank lots of water, and slathered on chapstick because my lips were painfully dry.
But I made it through the night. The next morning, they were better. Amazingly, I had no bruising on the skin around my lips—just tiny dots on the actual lip tissue. They told me that happens when you don't bleed much. By the end of the second day, my lips looked completely normal. Even now, they feel slightly bumpy to the touch, but they do not look bumpy. And that is all that truly matters.
They also warned me: Do not judge them until five days later. They swell up in the morning, shrink a little, then swell again. You truly don't know what the final shape and size will be until all the swelling completely stops and you are left with what you are left with.
The Cost: Why You Should Never Cheap Out on Your Face
Now, let's talk numbers. I was very fortunate—because I was a model for the grand opening, I did not pay. But a full syringe of Restylane at that med spa is typically $779. That sounds like a lot, but when you consider how long it lasts and the quality of the product, it is an investment. Restylane is famous for holding its shape and not migrating throughout the face like some brands—such as Juvederm—can be known to do. That is why it is more expensive. It does not float away.
But here is the real lesson: You get what you pay for. This was a luxury med spa. They did not stop until I was 100% happy with my shape. We collaborated on the contour, on the fullness. They gave me a lymphatic massage during the procedure to help with the swelling. They made sure I was comfortable. If a treatment costs $400, I would be very wary. It is tempting to go cheap, but this is your face. Although lip filler is not permanent, this is still your face. You have to be careful about who you let touch your lips and what you are putting into them.
The Final Thought: What I Want You to Take Away
Getting lip injections was 100% worth the pain for me. But this video is not meant to encourage anyone to do this. I am simply sharing my personal experience about something I fixed that I had been self-conscious about for years. If you have been thinking about it, I hope this gives you perspective. The main takeaway is this: Take the pain, take the swelling, but above all, take the lesson that your face is not a bargain bin. Do your research, pay for quality, and never hold your breath. Breathe through it. And give it five days before you decide if it was worth it.