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Can't get the cost right!
This is just so exasperating! The right cost for the surgery won't save for some stupid reason. Drives me up the wall. Honestly, I had to email staff to help me get it right.
The conversion thingy says that 7,250,00 euro equals 7,783.00 dollars.
The conversion thingy says that 7,250,00 euro equals 7,783.00 dollars.
On 23 September 2015 I consulted doctor Van der...
On 23 September 2015 I consulted doctor Van der Weij. With a view to previous surgeries he had performed on me to full satisfaction I felt I had chosen the right surgeon for fixing my facelift.
That afternoon he explained to me the procedure of the full facelift: the skin on the neck, the jaws and part of the cheeks would be drawn up and backward - the incision would run from halfway my temple, downwards skirting the ear, passing along the bottom of the earlobe, then a stroke upward directly behind the ear, tapering off a little way to the back of the neck. Wow, that is a long and winding road!
He made me stand before the tall mirror in his office and tightened the area with his hands to give an impression of the ultimate result.
He wanted to know if I desired the use of "Tissucol". What is Tissucol? This:
"Fibrin glue (Tissucol) is a biological substance derived from human donor plasma by means of cryoprecipitation, producing a highly concentrated solution of fibrinogen and other cryoglobulins. "
Application: immediately after the actual lifting has been done, before the stitching, the surgeon sprays Tissucol onto the layers of skin, thus sealing them together, eliminating any space between them. This is supposed to prevent bruises and swelling. In addition the healing process will be speeded up, plus that the "shelf life" of your facelift so to speak will be prolonged. Extra cost: € 750,00
I did not hesitate to opt for Tissucol.
Although I had not planned on actually making an appointment for the surgery, meaning to first do some considering, I did leave the clinic with just that: a fixed date, written down in my agenda. That day would be October 29, 2015, a Thursday.
I felt I had not rushed myself. What is the point of a consultation if not followed up by the actual surgery quite soon?
Thursday 29 October arrived. I was due at the clinic at seven thirty in the morning. The clinic being at walking distance from my home, I went on foot, setting out at six thirty. Just before leaving I hastily took a "before" photo, a one time chance! Terrible photo by the way, with a camera that has undergone two serious operations, and in bad light. Oh well.
I wasn't nervous. Although I must admit that thinking of the anesthetic I did feel slightly apprehensive. Sixty six... what about my heart, my lungs? The pre-operation checkup had been more than okay but still. My friend had mentioned, some two weeks earlier, during an outing, that her mother's friend had never woken up to see how lovely her facelift had turned out... I said "Awwww, that's a fine tale to tell me now!" but then we laughed. She assured me she would never have told me if she had not been fully convinced of my stamina. Lol.
And sure enough, I *did* wake up, that must have been around one thirty that same day. Although I forgot to check, I think I went into the operating room at about eight fifteen; the procedure took some three hours, so they must have wheeled me to the recovery room around eleven thirty.
The waking up was rather hazy; the lady in the bed opposite mine told me that I was awake at two and that a nurse had helped get my contact lenses in my eyes. Well honestly, that has been wiped from my memory completely! I simply have no clear recollection, hard as I try to retrieve it. Weird sensation, missing part of your own action. Annoying too! Anyway, I do recall chatting with my right hand neighbour as well as the two other ladies, who were great fun. Meanwhile I applied lipstick (yes yes, swollen face, a support bandage around my gob, but mirror mirror....) and took some selfies from my pillow.
The nurse brought me soup. After three spoonfuls.... blammm --- I had to reach for the be-sick-in-me paper basin. First time ever I was sick from an anesthetic. But only mildly. The nurse took the soup away and served me two dry rusks.
Somewhere in between acts the doctor came at my bedside to tell me that the operation had been very successful, he added some instructions, wished me a speedy recovery and said he would see me in another week. I just sat there smiling like a goof, and nodding as if I was on morphine, and actually I think that my euphoric state of mind must have been the dope in the anesthetic.
I slept well. Next morning I took leave of my room mates, three wonderful ladies, we had shared quite some stories the previous evening, and walked home. Which is generally considered unwise. But hey, it's my face that was operated on, not my legs!
The support bandage showed from under my hood and my face was really plumped out, so I got some stares here and there, but I felt great. Once home I called a couple of confidants and rested. I slept fairly well, propped up by three pillows, support bandage still in place, and I had taken one paracetamol, just to be sure, although the pain was practically non-existent; the incision was sensitive to the touch, and the support bandage a real PITA, tight, constrictive and it made me sort of claustrophobic.
Saturday: the Tissucol must have been doing it's work really well, the swellings were already receding, and still no sign of any bruises. Before going to bed I took one paracetamol, just to make sure I would not wake up in pain - that is awful, when the pain breaks you out of your sleep.
In the afternoon I called the clinic to ask if I could ditch the support bandage which had become unbearable, since it was pressing my ears to my head exactly where the stitches ran. My question was passed to the doctor and they called me back to say it was okay. But I needed to wear it during the night.
On Sunday, November first, I already looked really well, quite presentable. So in the afternoon I ventured out into the park, armed with my camera, as I would have done anyway - I wore my hair long and over my ears to hide the incisions.
Since then the swelling has been rapidly receding, still no sign of bruising, really amazing. To be sure, it is not only the Tissucol, but also doctor Van der Weij's "magic touch" accounting for the rapid healing!
Time of writing: now, Friday November 6. Yesterday I had the first check up, exactly one week after surgery. The doctor was content with the results. He noticed some swelling under my chin and advised me to wear the head support during the night. He asked me whether I was pleased? And I confirmed that so far I saw no reason to complain. It will take another three months for full recovery and the final picture to emerge. Next, and last check, is scheduled on Friday, 5 February 2016. Time flies.
Waiting for my turn at the clinic yesterday, two of my former recovery room mates trooped into the reception! They too were doing well.
I guess this is it for the moment. Likely I may add photos on the way along the coming three months.
That afternoon he explained to me the procedure of the full facelift: the skin on the neck, the jaws and part of the cheeks would be drawn up and backward - the incision would run from halfway my temple, downwards skirting the ear, passing along the bottom of the earlobe, then a stroke upward directly behind the ear, tapering off a little way to the back of the neck. Wow, that is a long and winding road!
He made me stand before the tall mirror in his office and tightened the area with his hands to give an impression of the ultimate result.
He wanted to know if I desired the use of "Tissucol". What is Tissucol? This:
"Fibrin glue (Tissucol) is a biological substance derived from human donor plasma by means of cryoprecipitation, producing a highly concentrated solution of fibrinogen and other cryoglobulins. "
Application: immediately after the actual lifting has been done, before the stitching, the surgeon sprays Tissucol onto the layers of skin, thus sealing them together, eliminating any space between them. This is supposed to prevent bruises and swelling. In addition the healing process will be speeded up, plus that the "shelf life" of your facelift so to speak will be prolonged. Extra cost: € 750,00
I did not hesitate to opt for Tissucol.
Although I had not planned on actually making an appointment for the surgery, meaning to first do some considering, I did leave the clinic with just that: a fixed date, written down in my agenda. That day would be October 29, 2015, a Thursday.
I felt I had not rushed myself. What is the point of a consultation if not followed up by the actual surgery quite soon?
Thursday 29 October arrived. I was due at the clinic at seven thirty in the morning. The clinic being at walking distance from my home, I went on foot, setting out at six thirty. Just before leaving I hastily took a "before" photo, a one time chance! Terrible photo by the way, with a camera that has undergone two serious operations, and in bad light. Oh well.
I wasn't nervous. Although I must admit that thinking of the anesthetic I did feel slightly apprehensive. Sixty six... what about my heart, my lungs? The pre-operation checkup had been more than okay but still. My friend had mentioned, some two weeks earlier, during an outing, that her mother's friend had never woken up to see how lovely her facelift had turned out... I said "Awwww, that's a fine tale to tell me now!" but then we laughed. She assured me she would never have told me if she had not been fully convinced of my stamina. Lol.
And sure enough, I *did* wake up, that must have been around one thirty that same day. Although I forgot to check, I think I went into the operating room at about eight fifteen; the procedure took some three hours, so they must have wheeled me to the recovery room around eleven thirty.
The waking up was rather hazy; the lady in the bed opposite mine told me that I was awake at two and that a nurse had helped get my contact lenses in my eyes. Well honestly, that has been wiped from my memory completely! I simply have no clear recollection, hard as I try to retrieve it. Weird sensation, missing part of your own action. Annoying too! Anyway, I do recall chatting with my right hand neighbour as well as the two other ladies, who were great fun. Meanwhile I applied lipstick (yes yes, swollen face, a support bandage around my gob, but mirror mirror....) and took some selfies from my pillow.
The nurse brought me soup. After three spoonfuls.... blammm --- I had to reach for the be-sick-in-me paper basin. First time ever I was sick from an anesthetic. But only mildly. The nurse took the soup away and served me two dry rusks.
Somewhere in between acts the doctor came at my bedside to tell me that the operation had been very successful, he added some instructions, wished me a speedy recovery and said he would see me in another week. I just sat there smiling like a goof, and nodding as if I was on morphine, and actually I think that my euphoric state of mind must have been the dope in the anesthetic.
I slept well. Next morning I took leave of my room mates, three wonderful ladies, we had shared quite some stories the previous evening, and walked home. Which is generally considered unwise. But hey, it's my face that was operated on, not my legs!
The support bandage showed from under my hood and my face was really plumped out, so I got some stares here and there, but I felt great. Once home I called a couple of confidants and rested. I slept fairly well, propped up by three pillows, support bandage still in place, and I had taken one paracetamol, just to be sure, although the pain was practically non-existent; the incision was sensitive to the touch, and the support bandage a real PITA, tight, constrictive and it made me sort of claustrophobic.
Saturday: the Tissucol must have been doing it's work really well, the swellings were already receding, and still no sign of any bruises. Before going to bed I took one paracetamol, just to make sure I would not wake up in pain - that is awful, when the pain breaks you out of your sleep.
In the afternoon I called the clinic to ask if I could ditch the support bandage which had become unbearable, since it was pressing my ears to my head exactly where the stitches ran. My question was passed to the doctor and they called me back to say it was okay. But I needed to wear it during the night.
On Sunday, November first, I already looked really well, quite presentable. So in the afternoon I ventured out into the park, armed with my camera, as I would have done anyway - I wore my hair long and over my ears to hide the incisions.
Since then the swelling has been rapidly receding, still no sign of bruising, really amazing. To be sure, it is not only the Tissucol, but also doctor Van der Weij's "magic touch" accounting for the rapid healing!
Time of writing: now, Friday November 6. Yesterday I had the first check up, exactly one week after surgery. The doctor was content with the results. He noticed some swelling under my chin and advised me to wear the head support during the night. He asked me whether I was pleased? And I confirmed that so far I saw no reason to complain. It will take another three months for full recovery and the final picture to emerge. Next, and last check, is scheduled on Friday, 5 February 2016. Time flies.
Waiting for my turn at the clinic yesterday, two of my former recovery room mates trooped into the reception! They too were doing well.
I guess this is it for the moment. Likely I may add photos on the way along the coming three months.
Provider Review
Dr. L.P. Van der Weij
Doctor Van der Weij is very precise, both as a person and as a surgeon, with a great eye for detail. He is calm and contained and tells you exactly what you can expect. I do not believe he would perform surgeries which he cannot fully support. He is kind and patient and has a subtle sense of humour. He possesses a wealth of experience in his capacity of full time plastic surgeon. He does not waste time with unnecessary sentimental considerations and blah blah, but instead simply comes to the point. On first impression he seems rather reserved but his reserve hides warmth and dedication. So far he has performed a number of surgeries on me and all of them were very successful, giving me the result which I hoped for. I would surely recommend him.