It's good to get the perspective of someone new to this. I agree with you. If I could do my time again I would have just LEFT MY LIPS ALONE!!!
I've done 11 months of leaving my lips alone and I'm about 50% healed I think. I'm giving myself 3 years. Sounds a long time but then again 20 years sounds like longer and I am sure as hell not going to go down the same road those people did with applying stuff or removing the skin because they're embarrassed.
Also I don't see why people care so much about what people think when they look bad ( I can say this I've lived through 6 months of hideous looking lips). My advice to you is to think the same. And to exercise and eat well. Good luck!