The Art of Facial Balancing: Irene’s Chin Implant, Rhinoplasty, Lip Lift and More

Kerry: Hello, welcome to season 2 of Once Upon a Surgery. I’m the host Kerry Berlet, wife of world-renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Berlet. Today I am so excited to welcome our guest Irene, who embodies everything that this show is about: transformation, confidence, and stepping into the life you are meant to live. So welcome, Irene.

Irene: Thank you. Thank you for having me.

Kerry: So nice to have you here. I want to first tell the story of how we connected, because it’s so funny. Irene randomly saw a photo of me and Dr. Berlet on a yacht.

Irene: Yes, I did, with my friend.

Kerry: And we had a mutual friend, and so she reached out and said, that’s my doctor. He’s done everything on me. And it was just the perfect timing, because we were putting on this fashion show, and then you reached out, and I was like, really? We have this gorgeous woman who Tony’s done everything on, and she’s available for the fashion show. I’m like, yes, please. So thank you again for doing that.

Irene: And thank you for having me on.

Kerry: Absolutely. I think the universe sometimes connects people, right? So I want to go back. I know you didn’t actually do everything, but you have done a lot of work. How did you first decide to go to Dr. Berlet, back in the day, before your first procedure?

Irene: Well, my husband’s niece had a rhinoplasty with him. Prior to that, I did go for a consult with another doctor. And then I went to Dr. Berlet, and I liked everything. So I’m like, you know what? Let me go with Dr. Berlet. And I liked what his niece’s nose looked like. It didn’t look like a cookie-cutter nose. It was fit to her face, and it was perfect for her, so individual to her. So that’s what I did. In 2011, that’s what I had done, along with a chin implant, for the profile.

Kerry: So what did it look like before? Because I only know you after. What was wrong with the nose?

Irene: It was a little wider on the top, and bulbous. And every time I smiled it would really go down. It kind of ran in the family. So he fixed that up, and it looks amazing. And afterwards, when it was completely unswollen, it looked just like my mom’s nose.

Kerry: Really?

Irene: Yeah. Just like my mom’s nose. So it was perfect.

Kerry: So maybe you had your dad’s nose originally and he gave you your mom’s nose.

Irene: Probably. I think so.

Kerry: So it looked totally natural. Amazing. And did he do that at the same time as the chin implant?

Irene: Yeah. Everything the same day.

Kerry: Wow. And what is the chin? We haven’t had anyone on who’s had a chin implant. What does he implant?

Irene: I’m not quite sure. We’ll have to ask. But I know the incision was right under here. A little tiny thing. You can’t even see it.

Kerry: You can’t tell at all. I wouldn’t even know what to look for. And before he did it, did he at that point have the generated photos like he has now, to show you what he was aiming for?

Irene: I don’t quite remember that. It was like 14 years ago.

Kerry: I was just wondering, because I’ve been amazed. There was one woman who had a before and after, and she actually looks better than what they generated. But maybe it wasn’t around then. So that was kind of your wedding prep?

Irene: I did that in January. My wedding was April 29th. And I remember him putting in a lot of the steroid injections, just to take away the swelling. So it was all the time, but it worked, and my nose looked amazing on my wedding day, along with everything else.

Kerry: That’s so exciting, because that’s such a big part of your face. It really transforms what you look like.

Irene: Yeah. And with surgery, you just have to follow directions to a T, right? And I did that. Rest as much as possible. Eat the best possible foods. Everything.

Kerry: Because a lot of people might be nervous, with an April wedding, to be doing that in January.

Irene: I was a little brave.

Kerry: Very brave. Amazing. So that was 2011. And then you’ve had some other things since then. What else have you had?

Irene: So since then I had a lip lift. Well, I’ll tell you how the lip lift came about. I wanted a fuller lip. I already have full lips, but I wanted a little fuller on the top, a little more definition, without the duck lip look. I didn’t want that. And he said to me, “Why don’t we go for something more permanent? Let’s do a lip lift.” Okay, I like that. I don’t really want needles in my face, so let’s do something more permanent. And he suggested that and I said, “Let’s do it.” And we did the lip lift along with a lower bleph. This was about last year. And basically that was part one.

Irene: And then I healed for a month or two, and part two was liposuction. And he did the fat grafting into my face instead of filler. So that’s more permanent too.

Kerry: It looks so good.

Irene: Thank you. So it was part one and part two, because you can’t do it all at once, right?

Kerry: And the liposuction, we talked a little before, because it’s like no exercise can get rid of that, right?

Irene: The liposuction. I’m a very active person. I was swimming, running, weight and strength training, whatever. And nothing was getting rid of it. It was a pocket of fat right here, and nothing could get rid of that. And personally, I didn’t like that. I was fixating on it. I’m like, I can’t get rid of that stubborn fat. So he got rid of that, and the love handles.

Kerry: Yes. I did the same thing. And it makes your butt pop.

Irene: It does.

Kerry: So it’s perfect. And then we’re permanently curvaceous, right? It’s very satisfying, tackling those problem areas.

Irene: And here’s the other thing. With liposuction, I feel a lot of people, when they get it, think they can stop working out. But no, just keep the same thing going. Working out, keeping healthy, eating healthy, doing everything as you were before, because that’ll keep everything. That’s how I feel.

Kerry: Yeah. And people say, “Oh, but if he takes the fat out of there, is it going to come back somewhere else?”

Irene: I’m like, no. I haven’t seen that at all.

Kerry: Me neither.

Irene: And it really made me so much more confident.

Kerry: Right. It’s that extra little thing, because you always have that problem spot in your head. People say, is it really necessary? Does it really change your life? But it kind of does. This year, because he did a lot of stuff, I feel like I have more of a waist than I’ve ever had. It makes such a difference in how clothing fits you.

Irene: It does.

Kerry: And now you’re exploring doing some acting and modeling, right? Do you think that would have been possible had you not done this?

Irene: I think it would have also, but it’s all in the mind, and the mind is a very powerful thing. Even though people might think it’s crazy, in my mind I wasn’t ready for it. And now I am, because I just feel so much better about myself.

Kerry: And are you willing to disclose your age? Because I was shocked when I heard it.

Irene: Oh, totally.

Kerry: She’s the same age as me.

Irene: It’s 49 plus one. I will never say the other.

Kerry: My friends are like, “Oh, why? You shouldn’t say you’re 50, because you look younger.” But I’m like, I’m the one married to the plastic surgeon. I’m 50, can you believe it? But you look so young to me. I can’t believe you’re the same age. You must get people shocked all the time, right?

Irene: All the time. And I also feel like it’s not just the way we look, but the way we carry ourselves. We’re bubbly people.

Kerry: Yes, totally. That imitates youth a little bit too, when you have that energy. And what did you think about walking in New York Fashion Week with all the other patients of Tony’s?

Irene: I loved it. I thought it was very empowering for all the women. Very, very empowering. I saw all the other women with everything they had done or everything they had gone through. Everyone has had different walks in life. And to get everyone together, like one little happy family, doing something maybe they didn’t think they would do. Maybe it was a dream of theirs, or maybe it wasn’t even on the radar. I think that was just so magical for everybody involved.

Kerry: And for everyone to be so open about it. This is maintenance, people.

Irene: It is maintenance. I think there’s nothing wrong with plastic surgery. It’s maintenance.

Kerry: And have you always been this open about it? Because I feel like it’s rare. Or have you just gotten more comfortable?

Irene: I have been. I have no problem. There’s nothing to hide. And if somebody doesn’t like it or pooh-poohs it, then that’s not our problem, right?

Kerry: And I also feel like it’s okay if you want to judge me, but for everyone who’s judging you, you might also inspire someone else who has something that bothers them, and give them the courage to take the steps.

Irene: The courage, too, because maybe they’re afraid of what other people might think, and then they’re like, wait a minute, maybe I don’t have to be afraid. Let me explore this. And sometimes it’s just a minor tweak that can really change your mindset.

Kerry: Absolutely. Just tiny stuff. And with the lower bleph and the lip lift, what was that recovery like? Because I don’t see any scar.

Irene: I actually have photos of it in a folder. My special surgery folder.

Kerry: Well, you can share them. Did you do it day by day?

Irene: I did do it day by day.

Kerry: You were all bruised, looked beaten up, right?

Irene: Yeah, I did. It was uneven, crooked, black and blue. Actually, I have to send you this funny video also. I had an ice face mask that you attach to yourself. And I did a lot of shopping online during that time of recovery.

Kerry: Because you can’t really leave the house. You’re a little [inaudible], right?

Irene: Which was kind of dangerous. I’m like, well, I’m not going out. Shopping, in cart, it’s over. So a lot of the stuff had to be signed for. The FedEx guy came, and I’m like, oh my god, I have to sign. And I had my ice mask on. I had to go to the door with my ice mask on my face. And my Ring camera caught all that.

Kerry: Oh my gosh. Wait, do you have the video?

Irene: I have the video somewhere. I’m going to have to send it.

Kerry: You have to send it. Was he helping?

Irene: He was like, “Oh. Okay. Here, sign here.” It was quite funny, actually.

Kerry: That’s awesome.

Irene: So recovery was long. It feels like forever as you’re waiting for the bruises to heal and everything. And with liposuction, wearing the girdle. But you have to wear it. That’s part of the process.

Kerry: And so the liposuction was your most recent procedure?

Irene: Yes. The liposuction with the fat grafting was the most recent.

Kerry: The fat is so subtle.

Irene: At the beginning it looked puffy. But then, yeah, he was amazing.

Kerry: And you don’t mind talking about your marriage, right?

Irene: I can talk about anything.

Kerry: I know you’re going through a transition stage of your life right now. And I feel like you’re on top of the world right now. If you look like this and you get to start over, it’s amazing. Having gone through a divorce myself, and again, I’m very lucky I started over with Tony, I feel like as you’re going through that transition, to be in your optimal shell, it has to give you extra confidence in the dating world too.

Irene: That too. Everything, all at once. Okay, well, here’s my next chapter.

Kerry: Do you tell your real age?

Irene: Not unless they ask.

Kerry: Because they would think you were much younger.

Irene: Exactly. So not unless they ask, or you kind of have to feel it out.

Kerry: Eventually, it shouldn’t matter.

Irene: No. And I don’t like it when someone just asks you at the beginning, how old are you?

Kerry: Right. Well, I feel like you’re not going to be on the market very long. Hot commodity. Maybe by the time this airs, you never know. Well, that’s very exciting. And so let’s get Dr. Berlet, because I want to know about this chin implant and what actually is implanted.

Irene: I want to know too.

Kerry: Well, you don’t set off metal detectors, right?

Irene: No. I think I remember asking him that. Do I set off metal detectors? What do I have? I want to see what it looks like.

Kerry: And going in, did you want it, or did he suggest it?

Irene: He suggested it.

Kerry: Oh, wow. And you were just open, and trusted him.

Irene: I trust him. He’s very talented, so I trust him to do whatever to my face. And I think I did tell him, just whatever. What do you think?

Kerry: Because you’re 50, and that was before the snatched jaw trend. And you didn’t get any facelift done, right?

Irene: I have nothing done. No facelift yet. I ask him, “When do I need one?” Not yet.

Kerry: You definitely have a ways to wait. That’s an interesting option, to do that. And between the fat and the chin, you’re very defined.

Irene: And I already had natural cheeks. My mom had cheeks. My whole family on my mom’s side has cheeks. But whatever he added just went together.

Kerry: Really model. All right, so let’s get Dr. Berlet in and do a breakdown of the procedures.

Kerry: So we have brought in the doctor to talk about the various procedures and make some clarifications. So our first question is, what did you implant in her chin?

Dr. Berlet: It’s a Silastic. It’s a silicone-based type of implant. It’s preformed. It’s a giant horseshoe, so it extends from basically here to here. The little segment here that’s in front, this is called the symphysis, is above the periosteum. And then we create some sleeves, and we slide each of the arms into those sleeves that we create. So it doesn’t erode into the bone, because it’s in front of the periosteum here, and it incorporates on the sides.

Kerry: So it’s part of you? And the material, before you put it in, what does it feel like?

Dr. Berlet: It’s like a hard rubber.

Kerry: And these days, with all these people wanting snatched chins, is that a request that’s coming up more? Because that was already in 2011. The snatched jawline is the big thing right now, right?

Dr. Berlet: But the chin is for people who have a weaker chin. And oftentimes it’s done in conjunction with the nose, because if you have a nose that’s sort of large or out and you have a weak chin, then it’s all pointing in that direction. So you want to balance it out. If you bring the chin out, it makes the nose look smaller. And then you bring the nose up, and together, it’s a good combination.

Kerry: She has a great profile. And she’s 49 plus one, and she is not a candidate for a facelift anytime soon, right?

Dr. Berlet: No, she looks great.

Kerry: Look at that. And that’s with the addition of the fat in her face that you did, the nanofat, right?

Dr. Berlet: Yeah, we did microfat with some nanofat.

Kerry: Talk about the difference between microfat and nanofat. I was wondering that too.

Dr. Berlet: That’s all about size. When we suck the fat out, you’re putting it through a certain size cannula. Then you put it through a transformer of sorts that will vary the size, from super, super tiny to relatively large. So it’s not that you have different-size fat from different parts of the body. You create it.

Kerry: And so where did the microfat go versus the nanofat?

Dr. Berlet: Well, microfat is really nice around the eye and the cheeks, through here. And the cracks, you fill the cracks with nanofat, because you can put that directly into the dermis.

Kerry: Looks amazing. And she said you did a lower bleph first, right? Is that the standard process? You need the surgery first, then the fat to top it off?

Dr. Berlet: Everybody has different ideas about that. For years, I would really stage it. I really prefer to do the lower lids first.

Kerry: And you never do it at the same time?

Dr. Berlet: Sometimes. But I prefer to do it separately, because I think you get a more accurate placement of everything. Otherwise you’re sort of mixing the trauma and swelling at the same time. You may miss it, and you may also lose some of the fat. You want to maintain as much fat as possible at every opportunity.

Kerry: And then the lip lift. Is that common for you? Because I usually meet all these patients who did the facelift and the lip lift at the same time. She was looking to put filler in her lips. What made you think that she needed the lip lift?

Dr. Berlet: Just an evolution of your practice. I never was really happy with the earlier lip lifts. They always kind of looked rodent-like, because you lift up the center, and you had this little center thing with a little rodent-type look. And I thought, that’s not working for me. I don’t want to do it. And then you extend it around the corners of the nose, and then you lift the lip up. It’s a more even shortening of the lip, and it really gives it a pretty shape. So it really balances things out. So I’ve really moved away from filling lips to augment them. I prefer to almost rotate it up, because it’s more of a rejuvenation.

Kerry: It looks great. Her lips look amazing. We’ll have to see the before and after, but you can see the difference. And with the facelift you put the SMAS in too. But I wouldn’t think she would even be a candidate for the SMAS, because, like you said for me too, with naturally fuller lips, probably not a great idea.

Dr. Berlet: That would be too much. Everything is customized. You have to do what you need. You know, I love her lower lid. That’s the perfect contour along the globe of the eye. And it balances out with the cheek, which is in the right position. That’s from the fat. So you get that combination, and that’s what you’re trying to create.

Kerry: Very rejuvenating, and it doesn’t look plastic. No one would ever know. It’s incredible. And now she’s modeling, and she’s on the market. And I would think people would think you’re in your 30s, right?

Irene: Yeah. I’ve gotten 35, 39.

Kerry: It’s amazing. Well, good work. Anything else you want to comment on? Oh, the lipo. She did the same thing as me, with the legs and the flanks. It shapes you, it helps the butt. We talked about our butt pops.

Dr. Berlet: If you carve out that flank area, it does make the tush look nicer.

Kerry: She said people would think she had her butt done, because of the contrast.

Irene: And then when I do squats, even more.

Kerry: That’s always the goal, right? It’s perfect. And you were able to use the fat for the face at the same time.

Irene: Everything healed great, and I feel wonderful about it. Everything was good. You’re an amazing surgeon.

Kerry: And it’s so funny, because she just saw the picture of us on Maggie’s boat, and that’s how we connected, and that’s how we got her in our fashion show. Well, anyway, congratulations. Cheers. Thank you so much for coming, Irene. We loved having you. Cheers to Dr. Berlet, and cheers to you, and to your new life, wherever it takes you. I think you may end up on some big show.

Irene: Cheers.

Kerry: I think you’re like the Hallmark Channel.

Irene: You’ll see me on the holiday show.

Kerry: Well, you know he loves the Hallmark Channel, so he’ll be watching. All right. Well, I hope you enjoyed this episode of Once Upon a Surgery. Don’t forget to subscribe and keep watching.