How long before complete facelift/necklift recovery?

I saw this comment and was wondering what post it was referring to. I had a similar reaction from my other half.

I think my point is the following - plastic surgery is a personal experience. Feedback from ANY 3rd party is dangerous. Self evaluation is the only real approach in digesting the transformation. Husbands, wives, children, blah blah... we are doing this for ourselves. Now... that it is done.. remember that. Maybe the poster was just making a slight comment; but I am sensitive to the remark because I have to remind myself of this each time I decide to do something. If you go to a good plastic surgeon, no one is going to 'see' that you have had work. They are going to detect slight improvements, perhaps, but not go 'WOW.. WTF?'

Hi Martayela, I think ebaab61 is referring to the original post from springup in July 2011 who started this whole topic, where she said her husband wasn't happy with the results....(I think)

Ebaab61, just a quick response to your post. I respect your opinion on this forum. I do hope you are having an buncomplicated recovery from facelift surgery. I also value and respect the opinions of all of the other ladies on this forum and my treasured husband and family, who without, I would not have made it through this, for me, exremely difficult and challenging ongoing recovery phase from my facelift surgery. I, also, like so many others, had the best that could be had in Surgeons. Sometimes dealing with cutting so many nerves and muscles, things just don't always go as planned. Plain and simple. Why we decided to have surgery is each persons own decision. To want to see improvements in our looks is not uncommon nor is it vain, it is normal. Yes, I would LOVE for people to say WOW you look great!! But dealing with chronic nerve pain and the stress of it takes it's toll. We all just were hoping for better results and find comfort, hope and sounding boards here on this forum! This has become a true sisterhood of caring and bonding for those of us that truly are experiencing "exactly" the same issues and how to walk through each day just a little bit easier with sisters by our side....wherever they are. Hugs to all!!! :)

Well said. I have a lot of improvement. But perfection no. If I did I would not look like. Me. I get sad once in awhile when I see defects?then I say it's a lot better then it was so be happy. I will be 70 so why should I look 45. Lol. Have a good day all

Hi Pbelli, has your nerve pain improved any? Mine is gradually getting better but some days it still bothersome (almost 1 yr. post-op) I've found that a low dose of Klonapin (.25 mg - .50 mg) really helps. My neurologist prescribed it for daily use but because it's a benzodiazepine that can become addictive I only take it when needed. Wishing you & all other the other ladies on this board the best.

Hi Margie...I'm so happy you are having some good days! That makes such a difference, I'm sure!! Thank you for asking about my situation......I haven't tried Klonapin, and I'm glad it's helping you out on those painful days, they are the worst! I'm working to not take any pain meds only because they don't help. I've been through so many, plus muscle relaxers plus nerve meds to no avail....and I just hate taking any chemicals, but this nerve damage left me no choice. So I try to eat healthy, all the things we all talk about. Exercise, water, rest, no salt, vitamines, and all that. The nerve pain really isn't better....I guess as springup said I'm learning to live with it. Some days I can make it through and some days I spend on the sofa in agony. Some days when I'm at work and it's really painful, those are the worst times.....I get through it somehow and usually feel better by the end of the day for sticking it out. Other than more surgery....there seems to be no help. I just can NOT imagine putting myself through MORE surgery even if by some miracle....and I have my doubts....it corrects this nerve damage. It just doesn't seem possible. So I'm still pondering. I have one more professional opinion to get from an exclusive PS...still waiting for my appointment....so time will tell. But surgeons perform surgery to fix things, that is what they know, so..........(sigh) I can only say I'm glad I had the surgery....I was so sad EVERYTIME I saw my face....I still have some jowels that I was suppose to go back and get redone...lol....right! Having said that the trade off of the surgery hasn't been worth the pain but since I can not go back and undo what has been done, I am accepting my decision that I made 13 months ago(I have no choice) and I am working to look on the bright side....it could have been oh so much worse! I wish everyone Happy Healing! Hugs to all! :)

ebaab61, Hi, I guess my post from two years ago was construed that in a negative way as far as my husband's reaction so I feel the need to explain. I was in a pretty bad place when I posted my comment and probably projected more dissatisfaction on his part than there was. My husband never judged me or told me I looked bad, it's just that he thought I was perfectly beautiful before the surgery and was upset that I now had scars and other issues I didn't have before. I could tell he was unhappy that I put myself through all that, and he did say he wished he had discouraged me from going through with it. That being said, he was really kind and supportive, Even though I am very critical of my looks he still thinks I am beautiful now. I realize you are in my corner with your comment, but just didn't want such a sweet wonderful guy to get a bad rap. Martayela, it's tough for them to see us go through all of of that trauma, and changing our faces seems to have a psychological reaction in some of the husbands. They get used to it with the passing of time, just like we do. Sweet Pbelli, your posts are always so empathetic and uplifting. I am wishing you total recovery from your pain issues. Silverlegend, what a great post! You are absolutely right about our image of ourselves and what people really see. You are already happy with your results and it is only going to get better with each week. Good for you!! All the best to everyone.

I thinks husbands need to keep their mouths shut. Glad I have you girls.

Secretps...HI...you sure do have us here to support you, but what is going on with the negative feelings toward husbands on this forum with some of the ladies???? I think some people need to get it off their chests. This is just my opinion, but this must be having an effect on your healing with this kind of feeling about your better half? I promise I'm not judging you...can we or how can we help??????? Hugs to all!! :)

the truth is is my hubby is fine sometimes says the wrong this, but who doesn't, I am angry at my PS for not doing one of the procedures I paid for and doing another that I did not care about. Truth is I am healing great and after reading so many of the posts I should be grateful that I got a lot of what I wanted and thankfully atleast I am not in pain.

funny you mentioned clonopin....I've been taking it every night for sleep (over 25 years now)....had chronic insomnia and went to a sleep clinic and clonopin was prescribed for my disorder....now I usually sleep like a baby with this medication and have no bad after effects

Martayela, what dosage do you take? Have you had to increase your dosage of Klonopin after a period of time because it wasn't working as well? It's the ONLY thing that works for my nerve pain but I'm scared to take it every day because of all the horror stories about addiction (even though my neurologist prescribed it for daily use.)

Margie112, please be very careful. As an addiction therapist, I know of so many cases of people addicted to Klonopin and other benzodiazapines. Benzo addiction is very difficult and complicated. You don't want to go there. I have seen heroine addicts get through their addiction issues faster and easier than benzo addicts. It's not pretty.

As with any addictive substance, there is an increased tolerance and our bodies need more of the substance to get the same effect. If you need these meds for anxiety or other issues, moderation is the key. If your tolerance is increasing, please see your doctor.

I take clonopin for the same reason, sleep, and can't imagine trying to take it during the day and staying awake! I get migraines from sleep deprivation and keeping me asleep during the night is key to my well being. I take a very small amount and never have felt like I was addicted to it. Maybe that is why I slept so well after the surgeries!

LovelyLucy, it sounds like you are fine and your doctor has decided that if this works, don't fix it. You obviously are not a person with an addictive personality. I've seen people begin using benzos for sleep or some anxiety issue and within a short time they are abusing the medication and taking large amounts for the effect it gives. It doesn't sound like that is you. Just worried about anyone who becomes addicted to these medications. So, when was your surgery and how's it going?

Debra, I take less klonopin than I did when first prescribed! My only addiction is sugar.My surgery was a year ago. I was lucky to not have suffered bruising or pain. Numbness and tightness have come and gone and come and gone. However my neck still has that sensation of a sling under my chin. My PS would like to do a revision on my neck but I am not so sure I want to go through with another surgery considering how long I have felt those tight sensations. He is giving me another year to consider it, which pleases me, I don't want to feel rushed, I want to feel "normal" before I begin anymore cutting. I got very tired of the numb ears, and all the pulling. I am happy with the fact no one notices anything except for those college friends who say, "You haven't changed a bit!".

LovelyLucy, If would wouldn't mind sharing, what is it about your neck that you aren't happy with to consider a revision? I'm only asking because I'm not quite yet certain if I'm really happy with mine. (I will be 9 weeks post op this Thursday, so it may be that I still have swelling that me go away, but not sure). Thanks.

For me I am 3 weeks out and my neck still looks loose. I have these lines that are very visible (if I pull the skin up more I can barely see them). I do look natural. Today I had my first comment "what did u do 2 ur face". It was a work situation so I covered. She knew it I just don't want people talking at work.

Hi Debra, thanks for your comments. I take a tiny dosage .25-.50 mg and I only take it maybe once per week. I don't have an addictive personality; on the contrary, I HATE to take chemicals of any kind, even aspirin. However, this blasted nerve related discomfort has me going down roads I wouldn't ordinarily. I don't take it for anxiety or sleeping, just the nerve symptoms. My neurologist prescribed it for everyday use saying that clonopin is the least addictive of any of the benzos. But after this miserable ps ordeal, I don't really have a lot of confidence in doctors anymore. Thanks again for your comments.

It isn't smooth,the doctor doesn't like it. I don't have a double chin,never did but there is a pouch where the drain was that didn't tighten up...as I understand it, it is a skin elasticity issue. The skin sort of looks like a deflated balloon. He would like to do it just because it reflects poorly on his work and I would like it to look better too, right now it sort of looks like I had nothing done.

Deflated balloon...I have 2 they are called my breasts!