In my personal experience I had deep inset lines running horizontally across my forehead. This stemmed from the fact that I tend to speak very expressively and any gesticulation that my hands or mouth made, my eyebrows and forehead backed up with tidal waves of muscular crunches.
This eventually led to wrinkles both on my forehead and between my eyes.
When I was younger this was fine, as it animated everything that I said and made the points I tried to make at least seem that much more credible.
In the present however, approaching 40 like a pack of wild animals running out of a forest fire, I felt I needed something to tame these “ugly frowning brow lines”.
They made me look angry all the time. The Curse of the Mommy.
Botox worked. In the process however, I quickly found out that there is more to the Botox game than meets the eye.
Over a year ago I made an appointment with a “spa” who used the name of a board certified surgeon in their advertisements and informational materials.
The price at the time almost discouraged me, but I had become desperate so I made the appointment.
All misconceptions set aside the actual procedure was not only everything the product advertisements commanded that it was, but it seemed like a small miracle for my aging face.
The angry look had disappeared.
Although the $430.00 that I paid was well worth seeing a youthful, well rested woman looking back at me from the mirror, I also knew this would not be financially affordable for me to repeat every six months.
Also, this price only covered my forehead and not the furtively approaching crows feet. I waited for the prices to become more affordable.
There were other things I wasn't thrilled about: I did not meet with the board certified surgeon. In fact, I met with a dermatologist, who although seemed knowledgeable about the product was not the board certified surgeon advertised in the brochure. I wondered if he could be counted on to understand the intricate workings of all nerve endings and the delicate muscular structure of the face.
Since that time, I spent more than a little time looking for offices or doctors who perform Botox injections.
The panic began to creep back in as another year had gone by and I wanted to retard the deep creases, but in a recession it seemed narcissistic to spend that much extra money on myself.
Desperation prevailed however. After all, downturns are only temporary. Wrinkles are forever.
I found an ad that ran as follows: “Botox, $300.00, Be a wrinkle free VIP! Botox…any area! 99%, Glycolic Facial Peel, and $25.00 Wrinkle Free VIP card YOU GET ALL THREE”.
I was a little leery at first but I read the small print. This doctor was not only Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery but he was a member of three (3) of the more important boards that protect consumers. Further, I read on and find that he was voted “Best Plastic Surgeon 15 years in a row”. This was worth a jab if nothing else was.
The Staff at the office requested that all information be handled by the Doctor. (a refreshing difference from the botox mill) I was surprised that the surgeon would handle the procedure. My sister and I both made appointments.
The Author's Sister, Dawn Berry with Dr. Clayman.
We met with Dr. Clayman, board certified plastic surgeon in suite 220 of the St. Vincent’s Hospital.
If you are looking for a wonderful reason to feel like you are cheating a plastic surgeon out of all his money then please meet with him. He was gregariously generous with his product. He made it clear that Botox was not where he made his money and his money came from surgeries. Even in a recession this man is doing quite well and after meeting with him we believe that this is not simply from luck.
Dr. Clayman is one of the few Board Certified Plastic Surgeons to perform all the Botox injections himself. There were no nurses pawned off on the patient. There was no dermatologist who politely explained that this type of procedure could be performed by anyone. Dr. Clayman was emphatic in his conviction that the doctor should perform all facets of what encompassed plastic surgery service.
Dr. Clayman.
For this a great respect grew within me, especially realizing what an absolute steal I was getting on the amount of Botox I received for my money. For a Harvard graduate with more information about the product and how to solve my various obvious facial issues he was gentle, informative and damn cheap.
Right now most of us just care about “damn cheep”, and “oh yea, don’t melt my face off“.
This Dr. gave quality and quantity, something of which I could not claim with my other Botox experience. One could spend more money purchasing shoes at Dillard's and probably has. In fact I was impressed and persuaded by his no-nonsense approach and the fact that even if it took an extra injection he added it happily. This doctor went above and beyond what monies you paid for the procedure to make sure you walked out of his office beautiful and happy.
In an industry where previously I have paid a half car payment more to get the same service I was impressed with his generosity. My troubled areas were well taken care of without fear of extra charges.
Somehow I paid so little for typically ridiculously expensive procedure and I came out feeling like I had cheated him and to be honest this was embarrassingly exciting! I was even more excited to ponder the notion that it would take less than a month to save up for my next procedure with him.
Did I actually get one over on a Doctor or can Botox really be affordable for all?
The Author, Nichole Dewey, with Dr. Clayman after the Botox procedure
Well in speaking with Dr. Clayman, I realize that there are Doctors and dermatologist who are not board certified plastic surgeons who make money solely off of their Botox clients and in doing so can not afford to give breaks on the amount of product they utilize on you. These people rely on these measured injections so giving away additional product for need is not financially advantageous for them. Further, sometimes to save on time they will allow their less qualified staff perform these duties. The impressive part of the Dr. Clayman experience is Dr. Clayman performed all facets of the procedure himself.
Would I purchase Botox in a recession at this cost?
Absolutely.
This is two trips to Wal-Mart for me. Can I live with out the beach floats or the $7 toenail polish for a month? For Botox I think the answer is, “Of Course”.
So next time you are out and you think, “Ugh, these lines are getting so deep and I just look tired and angry all the time“, but I don’t have the money to fix this. Please think again.
Botox in a recession is absolutely possible. Just make sure you research the doctor and make sure that the doctor is the one performing the injections. This was the most comforting part of our experience with Dr. Clayman.
Written by
Nichole Dewey
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stephendare
July 22, 2009, 01:04:24 PMby the way, both Nichole Dewey and Dawn Berry are my sisters!
Welcome aboard Nichole!
RM
July 22, 2009, 02:32:42 PMIn an Ideal world we are all judged on merit alone. The world is less than Ideal. In hard times, when some are looking for employment and a self confidence booster, a little glamor can go a long way.
stephendare
July 22, 2009, 02:35:00 PMNo kidding RM. Im in the market for a little lipo myself.
Shwaz
July 22, 2009, 02:51:48 PMIsn't there danger of muscle pralyzation after too many treatments? My friend who worked for Isis cosmetics (before they went bankrupt) had botox done on her brow because it was offered for free... she looked like a neanderthal for a week
stephendare
July 22, 2009, 03:14:10 PMlol. Ouch shwaz. I think thats one of Nichole's points. The liscensed surgeon part is what makes the difference.
Shwaz
July 22, 2009, 03:55:56 PMThe difference in not looking like a cavewoman or no facial paralyzation over time?
stephendare
July 22, 2009, 04:09:28 PMBoth I would think. I wouldnt have any procedure done without knowing the medical background of the practitioner.
Coley
July 23, 2009, 03:24:33 AMI don't think that I look like a neanderthal...I actually think it has improved so many different things about my face that labored many concerns for me. For instance, I had such horribly deep lines from pinching my eyebrows together..I just looked angry all the time. There is still movement, as long as the dr. knows what they are doing and how to strategically place the injections. My eyebrows move up and down still, I just dont look angry when this happens, because they are not in unison with my L lines above my nose. A small bit can make such a huge difference.
Mysteryjax02
July 23, 2009, 08:46:43 AMI read this article last night. This morning I pulled it up and showed this to some colleagues I work with. None of us were split. Botox is something almost EVERY woman wants but like this article says, we think we cant afford it. I never told my co-workers that I had this done before too, about 2 years ago. It really looked great! I dont know about the neanderthal look but for me it looked like I got an eye job. My eyes were all droppy and im 34 and im getting older. When they did it it looked liked I got an eye job. It really opened my eyes up and everyone could tell there was a difference like I looked better and less squinty but no one could have thought I had this done. I cant afford it since I got divorced. But I really want to do this again. How do I get in contact with the office above that does this?
anneInJax
July 23, 2009, 11:15:13 AMI love Dr. Clayman! I had a tummy tuck 2 months ago, and I feel like a new woman! I should have had it done 10 years ago because I had no idea how much it would change the way I feel about myself! After a couple c-sections, a whole lot of exercise and still the flap of skin hanging down, it was amazing the results! And, the great thing about Dr. Clayman was that he only did what was necessary. I had gone to a couple of other plastic surgeons and they all wanted to cut me big time and give me a new belly button. Dr. Clayman left my belly button in tact and still I'm flat and happy! Thank you for giving me a new lease on life again! I highly recommend this guy - he's awesome! And, the girls are wonderful too! They are like family to me!!!
stephendare
July 23, 2009, 11:37:33 AMMysteryjax. I believe Dr. Clayman is listed, I think Nichole will be on later. Perhaps she can send a private message to you with his contact info. Welcome to the boards, Anne and Mystery. Its nice to have you aboard. Anne, what all is involved with a tummy tuck?
stephendare
July 23, 2009, 11:38:19 AMWhy would they want to give you a new bellybutton? That sounds horrible. Im sorry I don't mean to sound completely ignorant, is this a normal thing?
puff_momma
July 23, 2009, 12:03:54 PMI admit - I have been thinking about this. I visited PVPS's Riverside office, but was a bit intimidated by the 3 ladies and one doc staring at me. I kept thinking they had a bet going on as to whether I was going to ask for boobs or not. Seemed like a very nice doc, but I made no botox decision that day.
Although this story sounds suspisciously like an advert, I made an appointment with Dr. Clayman. At 40, I have the same issue Nichole does....what my daughter calls "stripes" on my forehead (Gotta love the kids) as I speak or otherwise express myself. We'll see how it goes.
anneInJax
July 23, 2009, 12:24:51 PMa fully tummy tuck is where they cut the skin from above the belly button all the way down to the bikini line and take it out, fat and all. then, they have to reconstruct a new belly button because yours is no long there. it makes it for a bounce-a-quarter-on-your-stomach type look... but, i've heard the belly button will never REALLY look like a real belly button..... dr. claymon took my pooch (bellow the belly button to the bikini line) out - about the shape of a football, and it was about 3-4 inches thick of skin/fat. he let me look at it afterwards (pretty cool, actually!!) then, i have had to wear this wrap type thing around my belly, and will continue for another couple weeks - it fits nicely under my clothes. that's so when the skin goes back into place, that it goes flat instead of wherever it wants to go (like it did before)..... i wish c-section docs would tell women to wear these things after surgery! it's been a lifesaver, and it helps with the feeling of being all held together. dr. claymon did not have to cut my muscles because they were tight enough - my problem was the hanging skin...... oh, yeah, and by the way.... dr. claymon threw in some lipo on my upper hips/back.... i now have a curve to my shape that i never had before. i was always very block-ish shaped.... i went from a size 12 to a size 8, also.
had the surgery on a wednesday, went back to work the following monday.... a little agressive, even for dr. claymon - he calls me a tough cookie.... but, hey, gotta bring home the bacon! my point here is that with the proper rest and pain meds after surgery, you can recover fairly quickly... just do what the doc says and you'll be good to go! i would not trade this experience for anything because of how great i feel now!
Coley
July 23, 2009, 12:26:42 PMWell I will say having compared offices as I put in my article he really just did more and even told me that if I didnt feel like he did enough to come back and he would touch me up no charge. The problem is he doesnt know me...If I thought this could be used all over my body I would freeze everything
anneInJax
July 23, 2009, 12:27:26 PMyes, i agree, it does sound like an advert... i would be skeptical too, if it hadn't happened to me! dr. claymon is the bomb!
anneInJax
July 23, 2009, 12:29:16 PMdr. claymon did not know me either - and he gave me the same treatment.... i can do a little here, and a little there, and you'll be good to go, sweetie.... he was right!
stephendare
July 23, 2009, 12:29:55 PMlol. I can vouch for my little sis! She's not an advert. Nichole is that our nephew Isaiah in the photo with you?
Coley
July 23, 2009, 12:32:09 PMpuff_momma I know I think I like this Drs. office quite a bit. You should have seen it before we edited it
stephendare
July 23, 2009, 12:32:19 PMwow anne. Do you feel lighter after the surgery or are you too woozy on meds and stuff to notice?
anneInJax
July 23, 2009, 01:36:52 PMno, actually you feel a little heavier because there is some swelling, naturally... but, that does go away!
stephendare
July 23, 2009, 01:44:39 PMstill thats pretty dramatic. Size 12 to Size 8. That has to feel a hella lot better.
fatcat
July 23, 2009, 05:31:43 PMwe human being do spend a lot on looks.
astrogirl
July 24, 2009, 03:13:22 AM"Annie in Jax" is Right...."Dr. Clayman is The Bomb." He has a "word of mouth following" that has won him his popularity throughout Jacksonville and beyond. I chose Dr. Clayman because he is a double board certified plastic surgeon and Harvard trained. I have had very successful Breast Enlargement and Face Lift with Dr. Clayman....and
YES.... l Love his Botox too! You're right, he takes care of your troubled areas without fear of extra charges! And...
You're right again....He goes above and beyond what monies you paid for the procedure to make sure you walked out of his office Beautiful and Happy. In plain English...Dr. Clayman is Great! He sincerely cares about each patient too!
Yep...Dr. Clayman really is The Bomb!
jaxkelly
July 27, 2009, 12:40:12 AMI'm having surgery with dr. clayman in a few weeks and chose him for a few reasons. First of all, all my girlfriends have excellent results and the other reason, is b/c he does NOT use pro-pa-fall, that medication that killed michael jackson.
Overstreet
August 14, 2009, 11:01:29 AMNo thanks. Wrinkles improve my chances at getting the senior discount. Besides in my business it pays to have people think I'm gruff and stern.
reednavy
August 14, 2009, 11:11:51 AMWtf?
Bewler
August 19, 2009, 04:14:54 PMHahaha, couldn’t agree more reednavy. This thread has turned into a bad infomercial
“As a satisfied client I fully endorse Dr. Clayman. He’s simply the best! So don’t delay, schedule you’re appointment with Dr. Clayman today! Because if you act now, he’ll throw in a third breast implant free!
Here’s how to order, just call toll free 1-800…”
stephendare
August 19, 2009, 04:22:45 PMNah. If a vendor or a professional is good, this is the appropriate place to talk about them, especially if he's local.
Not surprising that all guys would weigh in though.
You get to a certain age and you start thinking about it though.
Im at that age myself.