All in all I’ve been happy (actually, really happy) with the results I’ve experienced from the medical corrective procedures I’ve chosen. I do look younger, my tummy is flat (even though I’ve gained some weight since the operation), my face is doing great (no surgery, just Botox, dermal injections, and laser resurfacing), and my breasts have held up pretty well (no pun intended).

The problems I’ve experienced along the way was due to my tummy tuck (pretty major complications) and with the form of dermal injection I chose, Artecoll (also called ArteFill).

Why did I choose Artecoll? Well, I’m pretty high maintenance as it is, given how often I have to get my hair and nails done for media appearances and photo shoots. I already get Botox once every 6 to 7 months. So, anything I can do to spread out appointments, especially those requiring downtime, I’ll do.

I chose Artecoll because it lasts for years. Some would say it lasts “permanently” (but permanent needs qualifying because while Artecoll doesn’t break down the face will still “age” and the younger appearance will diminish).

The first time I had Artecoll injected was in 2000, and though I probably could’ve waited another two or three years at least. At the time, I wanted to get my lower lip done anyway and adding a little more along my upper lip and the fold that runs between the nose and lip made sense. I wanted a fresher, but still natural, appearance.

I know all the risks with dermal fillers. Artecoll shares the same risks with every other filler but Artecoll has an additional twist. Because Artecoll is a “permanent” filler the problem is that when something goes wrong the complication often remains. That was what happened for me. I got small, relatively imperceptible granulomas (little hard bumps) that I could slightly feel around my lips. Those little lumps did eventually go away (at least as far as I could feel). However, even now, if I press too hard on my lips to remove lipstick or once in a while in the middle of an intense kiss, it does ache. Not the best, but damn it does look good!