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POSTED UNDER Facelift REVIEWS

Good experience so far, Los Angeles, CA

ORIGINAL POST

I read a lot of article in RealSelf and they...

Lolita2010June 14, 2012
WORTH IT$24,500

I read a lot of article in RealSelf and they helped me a lot in the whole process, so I thought I will share mine.

I am 45 years old, I am not sure if it is a bit young to get this kind of procedure. I lost 35 pounds in the past year by myself with no help, maybe my diet was not well balanced. Not sure. I really didn't like what I saw in the mirror every morning. I had jowls, I looked alway unhappy as the corner of my mouth was drooping, I think I looked older than I was. I live in Los Angeles, and had my procedure done in Beverly Hills.

After over a year of research and few years of saving. I found who would be the best surgeon for me. The cost I mention includes full neck and facelift. Also includes operating room, Anesthesia. I also had the tip of my nose reduced which is not counted in there (another 6K). I also spent one night in a specialised clinic.

I lookea

As supplement, I started to take Arnica a few days before surgery as it helps with swelling and bruising.

Lolita2010's provider

Renato Calabria, MD

Renato Calabria, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Lolita2010 rating for Dr. Calabria:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Replies (34)

AlwaysKim
June 14, 2012
You look fantastic already, I'm 48 and having the same procedure. The weight loss can sometimes take a real toll on our face. I lost117lbs and think my face was hit the hardest. Congrats on your loss and your new found youth
Bunnyman
June 16, 2012
Wow, you look fabulous!!!! How did you find this surgeon?
Lolita2010
June 17, 2012
Thanks for the kind comments.

I researched the internet, look and their prudentials, I read a few magazines. A couple of these magazines were advertising that Beverly Hills has 5 or 6 of the top 10 best surgeons in USA and giving names - so I went through the list and I looked at their before and after pictures from their web page, until I found this Doctor web page, in my opinion the results looked very natural and that is what I was looking for.

You want to look at a lot of before and after pictures and see if you like the results. One can learn a lot just from that.
petunia1354
September 6, 2012
DID YOU ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REGULAR FACELIFT SUCH AS YOU HAD & THESE NEW "LFIETIME LIFTS" or whatever they're called? They pop up whenever you enter FACELIFT in your search engine. PLZ comment asap as I want/need to do something asap !!!! THANKS, Barb
Lolita2010
September 6, 2012
I would not recommended it based on the feedback here on Realself, as a lot of people are unhappy with the poor result/complications associated with their lifetime lift. There is a lifetime lift category here on realself, that you should look at before making a decision. My Doctor do not offer this service, neither any of the top Doc. They offer partial lift, for people who do not need the full face lift (just the neck or just the lower face), I think that if I had to choose between a partial lift or a Lifetime lift I rather go with a partial lift from a Top surgeon, the results still look better than most of the lifetime lift and more importantly last longer.
Lolita2010
September 6, 2012
I looked it up, it is called Lifestyle Lift...You can check it out here on Realself.
chasesmommy
September 7, 2012
I did ask my surgeon what the difference was between the lifestyle lift and what he did.. He told me LIFESTYLE lift is a name that is bought from a company... The doctors do not have to be certified plastic surgeons they take classes and pay to use the name Like Say Campbells for soup.. HE said they cut only the skin and it last about 2 to 3 yrs.. If that helps I may not have worded it properly but it gives the general idea
secrets
September 7, 2012
I believe its called a Cutanious lift (skin lift) and i am sure thats all i had..twice...despite the doctors saying they lifted the muscle.
Its a cop out,and misleading,and its just a quick fix,and i believe many doctors in foreign countries do this cause its easy,and they are not much fazed as they know that rarely a patient will return if they have to travel thousands of miles. gggrrrr
MGM1
June 19, 2012
You look 20 years younger!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo
June 19, 2012
Hi. You look absolutely stunning :-]. Your Dr. just gave you back 20 years. You look in your after pic so young and beautiful. And is the beginning. Great decision, great doc, great result. ENJOY IT.
Georgia Driniati
June 20, 2012
Wooooo!!!! You look amaizing!!! You look like you are 20 years old now!! good for you! Excellent job!!!!
UPDATED FROM Lolita2010

It has been almost 3 months now since my surgery....

Lolita2010August 24, 2012
It has been almost 3 months now since my surgery. The swelling is almost completly gone, though the whole process seems to take for ever, but I read lot of reviews here on Realself and it depends on people, it is never as fast as one may want.

I still have a tiny bit of numbness on both sides by the upper cheeks, eyes and to the hairline.

My cheeks are very flat and I looked at some pics of myself 20 years ago and I never had big cheeks but I am thinking of getting a bit of filler in them at least to make them more even. One being bigger than the other. I am also hoping it will help with the "bump" that I have just under the right cheek, I thought it was part of the jowls (not sure how to call it) but it is still there. I slep on that side so it could be due to that.

Replies (6)

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Johnny1912
August 27, 2012
Wow, you look amazing and fresh. I think i'm in love!! X
garfield12
September 17, 2012
I must say that you are looking stunning. That's quite a miracle for you.
songbird838
September 19, 2012
Hmmm..@garfield12. Sounds like a back-handed compliment. I think you should clean up your comment and compliment.
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Torontochica
September 19, 2012
I would love to see your pics - can you please upload them to your review again? Thanks so much. :)
Lolita2010
September 19, 2012
You can click on lolita2010, choose "full profile" and then check the before and after picture on "still some jowls after facelift?". I don't want to add pics to this review as it make my post bumb up to the top, and I don't like too much attention. Thanks.
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Torontochica
September 21, 2012
Thanks, Lolita! WOW!!! You look fantastic and very youthful. I love your results and hope to achieve the same natural look as yourself.
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