It Works!

Well I hope you are all feeling a million times better than I currently do. I had my tonsils out 12 days ago and it's safe to say I still don't quite feel like me. I've decided I'm going to do a post about my tonsillectomy experience soon for anybody who may be having to have one in the future. I hadn't known what to expect if I'm honest and I have had a big shock. If I could have read a few other posts with an honest opinion I  might not have been so optimistic prior to the op and in shock post op. Anyway I will tell you about that in a couple of weeks when I am healed and know if the operation has been a success.

Today I'm here to discuss as promised, the 3 month results of the jawline reduction treatment I underwent with Cosmedocs in Derby. If you have read my previous post you'll already know my reasoning for undergoing this procedure. In that post I have done a full explanation of my reasons why I felt this treatment was necessary as well as a fully detailed breakdown of what the treatment involves, how it is done, aftercare and the costing structure etc. so I won't ramble on about all of that again in this post. If you click the link above it will take you back to my initial post about the treatment so you can find out more if you wish. 

When I attended my first consultation, Dr Bhatti told me I would see the best results from the treatment around my 3 month review and top-up appointment. I already knew from previous experience with acne tablets etc. that the best way to track a product/treatments effectiveness is to schedule a series of photographs on the same day and similar time every week. I always find you adjust to changes quite quickly, especially when you see them every day so they become less noticeable. Not forgetting I have a terrible memory so without the pictures I have no chance of remembering how something looked 3 months ago!

The pictures I took to track my jawline Botox progress are by no means the most flattering pictures - they are true passport style pics - face on, looking straight at the camera. I also have minimal makeup on (if any) as I didn't want any false results by contouring etc. This was the best way for not only me to see the treatment working but also for you as well.

It's all well and good reading a post about a product that someone is raving about but I guess I am to sceptical for my own good at times. I like to see images backing up what someone is saying.  You've probably noticed that this is a common theme in my posts that share a product/treatment with you. I always try the product for a minimum of 28 days and take regular photographs so you can take the journey with me to see if something does work or does not.

So onto my personal results from this treatment. In short, I couldn't be happier. This is for a multitude of reasons..

Sleep.
Probably the most important to me, above any aesthetic reason is improved sleep. Since I had my top-up injections two weeks after my first set, my sleep has improved dramatically. Prior to having this done I was grinding my teeth terribly every night as a result of stress and anxiety. No matter what I had tried previously I just couldn't stop myself from my nightly tooth grinding sessions. The dentist had suggested a guard but I find these highly uncomfortable and even more of a disturbance during the night. Due to the Botox relaxing my muscles I no longer wake myself up from either the noise or pain of wearing my teeth down repeatedly each night. I have been tensing my jaw a lot post surgery but that's a side effect of my operation due to the location and pain but I'm sure once I'm on the mend this will subside again.

Pain in teeth and tense jaw.
I was waking up with this every morning. An obvious side effect of grinding my teeth every night. It's such a pleasure not have to face this every morning anymore. Not to mention my teeth are finally safe from erosion - I only have little tegs so could really do without making them even smaller!

Softer masseter muscles.
I have popped a picture that shows you the location of these muscles below. The masseter muscles are the large muscles either side of the jaw that control chewing. Over time when you clench the jaw daily/nightly you end up building quite a considerable masseter muscle. This can eventually lead to a squarer appearance of the jaw line as well as pain and tension in the area. As a result of the treatment my masseter muscles feel considerably softer and the tension in either side has reduced to next to nothing - a lot less pain for me!

Increasing definition in face.
Both of the muscles appear to have depleted in size because the movement has been relaxed in each one. Due to carrying less tension, my face is less puffy in said area each morning and I have started to regain the cheekbone definition I used to have. I do have naturally high cheekbones but I had totally lost any definition I used to have through grinding my teeth and clenching my jaw every night. I personally think you can see a difference in the photo journey below from before the treatment to 12 weeks later looking straight on at my face just as Dr Bhatti said I would.

The power of social media never fails to amaze me. I know people have a love/hate relationship with the different platforms but I can safely say I am definitely a lover. I have been very lucky to date and experienced no negativity from the platforms that I use. I had no idea that this treatment even existed a few months ago nor did I realise that the symptoms I was experiencing were not only being caused by something but could also be treated. It's thanks to the Cosmedocs Instagram that I discovered something that has improved my sleep quality dramatically, eased me of a daily pain and given me aesthetic results that I am very happy with.

Obviously I was slightly nervous as well as sceptical initially when I decided to go ahead with this treatment. The procedure sounded so simple, pain-free and quick - almost too good to be true! How could something so easy be able to solve one of the bains of my life just like that?

For me it has been worth every penny, I don't have a single regret and I will most definitely be maintaining my treatment. I am due to return for my 3 month review (3 months after my initial top up appointment) in June so I will be booking that imminently. After this appointment, as I mentioned in the previous post, I shouldn't need another set of injections for one year.

I have already said this in my initial post and I still stand by it 100%. I cannot not recommend Cosmedocs in Derby enough! From the minute you enter as a newbie you are made to feel welcome. After being in similar places before I have experienced the hostility you can sometimes receive from the staff but it is non-existent here. I'm the kind of person that does take things to heart so feeling comfortable for me is very important. Everyone I came across was more than welcoming. It's the same as finding a good hair dresser - when you find a good one, you stay!

Dr Bhatti's knowledge of the treatments he carries out is amazing, I feel totally at ease when I visit for my appointment. Again this is something that I would say is super important when you are trusting somebody to inject a substance into your face that will temporarily relax/ prohibit movement in the targeted muscles.

I would say as far as Botox goes - don't go cheap. I truly believe you get what you pay for. Please don't be tempted by the offer of cheap injections/ aesthetic fillers! Do your research beforehand too, incorrectly injected Botox comes with an array of problems and side effects.. none of which I would want to experience. I personally would only trust a qualified and experienced medical professional. They understand the anatomy and physiology of the face and body a million times more than a person offering the same procedure with no medical experience.

I really hope this post might be useful if you have been experiencing any of the symptoms that I did for a duration of time. The jawline reduction treatment is still a very unknown procedure to most people and yet it's proven to be amazing for me. By having the treatment and sharing my results you can see for yourself the aesthetic results and I have told you about the other benefits I have had. As always I hope I have given you enough information but if you do have any questions please don't hesitate to comment below or contact me, I will always reply!

Any links in this post are in bold pink as usual, so just click them to be directed to the page being discussed.

Bethany xx

Treatment: http://www.cosmedocs.com/treatments/botox-jaw-reduction.php

The Other A Word.

Real talk time...

Anxiety.

There you go I said it. And yes I am affected by it.

I used to be ashamed of this part of me and kept it as my deep dark secret for such a long time. However, more and more these days I hear from so many people who also have anxiety.

I guess I've always been on the anxious side. Super organised, slightly (Matt might say extremely) OCD. I've always liked things just so - my mum will vouch for this. It's just me and I wouldn't be me if I was any different. That's what I think is important to remember when your having one of those off days.

My anxiety became a significant part of me properly about 3 years ago now. It's one of those things you don't have an answer for as to why you get it. I had my daughter at 18 whilst I was still finishing my A levels. I returned to my studies when she was 4 weeks old in order to not fall behind a year. That was the beginning of being a mummy whilst juggling full time studies and that turned into working full time in a career that I love.

When I first had my little girl I still lived at home with my mum and dad. They kindly let me and Maisie live with them whilst I saved my deposit for my house. I managed to do this by the age of 20 and was ready to buy my first home on my own. I absolutely adore my little home and wouldn't change a thing about it, but with a house comes big responsibilities on top of those I already had. I thrive off being busy and have always put a lot of pressure on myself to be everything but the young mum stereotype. Not only that, I also want to provide my daughter with a secure future as well as provide her with a lovely life filled with love and experiences. 

Goals and ambitions set, alongside being very stubborn when I set my mind to something, I continued to pave our future for us. Without sounding big headed, I would go as far as saying I have managed this pretty well although the stress of the juggling act does get to me every now and again.

Not everybody does understand this subject and those people are super lucky. I know a few people - some extremely close to me, who have no concept of anxiety or understanding for mental health and that's fine. It must be very hard to understand something if you haven't experienced it yourself. However I bet the majority of you who will read this will have experienced either a period of, or have, long term anxiety.

Like I've said above, I have anxiety. Yes it comes and goes and yes some days its terrible to the point I just want to get in my bed and not come out. It has just become a part of me that I have learnt to deal with, get on with and most of all accept. What is there actually to be ashamed of?

In my experience, being honest was the best thing I ever did in ways of helping myself. Initially I did see a GP - I seem to always get the short straw with doctors and see the really cynical one who makes you feel silly just like I did with my skin. They suggested a variety of things, none of which I wanted to bring into my life, so it was a similar case to my acne of coming away disheartened and doing my own research. Through doing my own research I realised anxiety can be triggered by so many different things and it is actually your bodies reaction to said triggers.

Initially I opened up to one person who I was very close to.. they had noticed more and more that I was sinking into myself so they took me to one side one day and asked me what was going on. My answer.. I did not know. I wasn't ill, my child was happy and healthy, I've never had money worries.. but I didn't feel right and was struggling getting through the day. That person listened and then their response was "it's okay". They went on to tell me that they to had lived feeling like this and actually probably 90% of the people we interact with daily will have experienced something the same/ similar at some point in their lives. That's when I started to think that yes, it is okay. It's not ideal and on a bad day I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy (not that I have one but you know, it's a saying and all that).

I think when you have a realisation over something like this you just want to share it and help other people. By writing this, even it helps just one person, I will be a happy girl.

Since I confided in my friend, I went on to learn how to deal with my anxiety so that it doesn't hinder me in the same ways it was doing. I now speak openly with my friends and people I know that also suffer. When I've spoken to people about it they have gone on to ask questions and likewise I have asked them things. It's such an un-talked about subject that you almost have to learn from each other and help each other. I'm always surprised when in conversation, how many people suddenly admit they too have experienced the same.

Everybody's anxieties and triggers will be different and have different roots but I think help mechanisms can be very similar between people. The things I have found that really help me include:

-Talking myself down.. This really works for me. When I'm having a bad day and feel so anxious I can barely concentrate on anything else I literally talk myself out of it. No I don't do it aloud, but I do take 5 minutes away from what I'm doing and question myself over what I'm preoccupied about. Is it going to hurt me? Is it going to hurt my family? Can I change it? If I don't get it done will something bad happen? The answer is most usually no and then I realise I'm worrying over not a great deal or something that I can not control!

-Exercise.. My friends all know I've grown to love my yoga. Especially since Christmas time when I discovered it. I don't get the time to go to the gym. I rely heavily on my family already to enable myself to work full time so I don't think they would be thrilled if I was then asking them to have my daughter whilst I attend the gym but Youtube is fabulous! I've found so many yoga tutorials were you feel as though you are actually doing the practise with somebody and yet you've not left the house. I like to do my practise in the evening when Maisie is in bed and everywhere is calm. I never realised the strength and balance yoga requires and I find I totally zone out when I'm doing it as I'm not focusing on anything else other than holding my position and breathing. If you haven't tried it already I would really recommend it. I will pop a link to some of the videos I love below.

-Walking.. I adore walking. It really does blow the cob webs off. When I'm feeling particularly anxious you cant beat a good long walk - with your family if possible.

-Blogging.. Another new found love. I didn't start my blog as a way to relax myself but it really has become just that. When I sit down and write a post I literally get lost in it. I zone out to anything on my mind and in turn always turn off my laptop feeling more chilled than when I opened it!

-Nourishing my body & mind.. I haven't always been the kindest to my body. I would say I've definitely learnt this the hard way. It really is so true that you need to nourish not only your body but your mind. Over time I have read so many interesting articles regarding how important a healthy and varied diet is for the mind. The most interesting thing I learnt that I had never known before, was that certain nutrient deficiencies can actually trigger anxiety and depression! I'm not saying everything needs to be "clean", life is about balance, but try to make sure you are filling your plates with nutrient rich, nourishing foods.

Like I said, every bodies anxieties and coping mechanisms will be different. I know what I have found works for me and I hope if you are reading this and struggling yourself it might be of help. Please remember how important it is too talk - to a friend, family member, colleague or someone you can confide in. As always I love to hear your thoughts! If you have any other ideas that help you please pop them below!

Bethany xx

My favourite yoga YouTube videos are by Boho Beautiful:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=boho+beautiful