Botox Redeux

Date: March 10, 2009

So Friday, I went back to the plastic surgeon - for about $800 - I had the "11" re-attacked and the lips altered. I hate prune lips. I hate bleeding lipstick.

I had decided that the Juviderm was not to be repeated. That's because I was blaming it for something the Botox was doing! But I am ahead of myself.

This time, my lips (you get numbed before needle and some ice packs too), felt like Novacain. Other than that, I was free to run to the new Toyota dealer and find out why I have water in the passenger compartment of the truck. The door is not the culprit (although it may have added), but I usually have the door taped shut with Gorilla Tape. That stuff is worse than iron safety bars!

But the tape has been opened (my son gets impatient and he sliced it). And the two guys in a pick-up who came to the parking lot at work on Wednesday (or was it Thursday) to replace the windshield (I finally got it with a small projectile right on the edge of the windshield - that tell-tale "snick" that tells you - "uh oh"), well, they scrubbed off all the remains of the tape. I had been picking at it. I usually take it off once in awhile to let the paint air.

Anyway, last trip to SD, I found the wet all the way to the back of the extended cab. At least, in San Diego, I could leave the doors all open in the sun and let the truck dry out.

Sunnyvale Toyota has been chasing the noise in the fan blades for 2 years! How did they miss this!

Turns out - the drain dish for the air conditioner had gotten all clogged up and was merrily pouring run-off water into the truck cab!

Can we all say "BAD DESIGN!" And follow that with "BAD SERVICE!"

Anyway, supposed to be all better.

The guys who did the windshield gave me a card for the body shop they usually work at. I may have the dent and the bowed out door looked at. Door might be fixed with a second strip of weatherproofing.

This started when I went to order a new whindshield. Toyota wanted $687 for Toyota glass, plus the gasket ($57) and installation. I hung up and went "WOW!" A guy in the next office said ---- he had his done for a lot less. My son sent me to the web - I had paid $300 last time for the windshield alone for his truck. The guys that were recommended I decided - I had a reference - OK - call them. They did the whole thing for $147 in 30 minutes. I had, by now, called Toyota and said no thanks. But I need a lube and oil and don't touch my tires. NEVER, EVER touch my Revos.

So I decided to spend the money on ME!

My first Botox in October lasted 4 months. I am "hanging on to" the Juviderm. My "11" scowl is nearly totally gone. This time, she didn't do it so close to the center. As a result, I have smooth eyebrows.

The lips, we did a little more toward the center bottom so I can stop the running, bleeding lipstick. HATE THAT!

So - 4 days later (takes awhile to "set up"), I now cannot use mouth wash. I can't close my lips. I am also having trouble eating sloppy food. Drinking is OK. And enunciating is a bit off. The last time we did not do so close to the center. Maybe not such a good idea. Have to think up something else for the bleeding lipstick.

For now, my lips are puffy again. And without the scowl, well. I didn't get chased around the drug store (like last time). My boss and his boss actually talk to me. Smile and say good morning. Reception people jump at me with hello in the morning. Men do double takes. I have men being helpful.

I still have them occasionally hold a door for me. This cracks me up. Engineers don;t usually hold doors for women engineers. But I look "fresher".

Why is this? Well, I was denied a raise once because I was told people thought I always looked angry. Because age puts those "11" lines between our eyes. Erase them, and they percieve you a whole new way.

It is called age discrimination.

And the lips? Swollen or plump lips drive men crazy (even with breast reduction I still have those too. Boobs I mean.) I use a lip plumper (topical) that is shiny, and then you add in the Botox, well, for some reason, they are attracted to this.

This is also discrimination.

However, with my hours cut to 50% (2 1/2 days a week - below poverty for CA with a mortgage), this is WAR people!

I managed to get another PO, in another department, for another 1/2 day. Ok, now 3 days a week.

And now, I have just managed to get a THIRD PO (almost filed) that will put me back at 5 days a week.

Why? Not the PhD and the two PhD classwork programs besides that. Not the years of experience (you are not supposed to list more than the last 10 years on your resume, and remove the dates for the degrees). Not the careful dressing (slacks, velvet, orthodics in SAS loafers, black, and a top (usually shell and jacket, or a sweater set with a loose flowing collar). Not the carefully chosen not too flashy jewelry.

It's the Botox and the fact I die out my roots every 3-4 weeks and I streaked my hair. I streak my hair but I die the roots dark brown. I also die my eyebrows.

WAR IS WAR.

Even if Joan Rivers, my idol, says no one is looking. Well, no one is looking for action. And she's only a little older than me. But they are looking.

Oh yeah, I have a second doctor to consult on having my eyes done again (this will be the last time). You can only lift your eyes twice. Then you have to sleep with them open. I'll pass!

But even my first plastic surgeon said I have 100 yr old eyes in a 60 yr old face.

I ordered RetinA 5% (prescription).

THIS IS WAR!

Caliente Morgan cannot look like an old bag!

I am also back on Medifast. And the treadmill.