POSTED UNDER Neck Lift REVIEWS
ONE YEAR has passed and I am very happy with my results!
ORIGINAL POST
I had a lower face and neck lift along with upper...
stella24November 9, 2013
WORTH IT$9,950
I had a lower face and neck lift along with upper and lower eyes done…. I am SHOCKED to experience the healing process. I am not as miserable as I was, and every day I am getting better. Had my questions been answered honestly in my consultation, I would never have gone forward with the surgery. I had a sagging neck and vowed to take care of it before I turned 50 (next year). The surgeon who I still believe to be very competent and skilled suggested that I have the lower face done as well as my eyes. I did agree because I had the tired eyes and the jowls and marionette lines. I had a drug cocktail with LOCAL anesthesia…. I was awake and chatting with the doctor and assistant through the entire 5 hour procedure. The local anesthetic was VERY painful. I thought I was going to throw up, but it passed. I could feel EVERY cut of the scalpel, every tug, suction and stitch. The drugs did mellow me to the point that I did not stand up and walk out. I did mention on several occasions that I could feel pain. They would respond by shooting more anesthesia into the area they were currently working on. I am not sure weather I am happy I did not know and went forward OR if I will forever regret my decision to hack into my face. The numbness has lessened and my lips have re-emerged (anyone who has done face surgery knows what I mean). I still look like a bad science experiment…. I am hoping daily that I look in the mirror and see a younger version of myself, but this has yet to happen. I do feel as though I am sick, but am not. Kind of in a fog…. (I have not had a pain pill since 11/2). I thought I would be back to myself and my life routine within 3 days honestly from what I was told in the initial consultation and subsequent conversations with the staff. Everybody there is very encouraging (They see this everyday… the hideous look of plastic surgery) telling me how beautiful I am looking. Hope they see what I can not yet see myself…. Will post again in a few days.
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UPDATED FROM stella24
12 days post
Tuesday will be two weeks….
stella24November 11, 2013
It is Sunday….. On Tuesday I will have my third visit post op. I am planning on asking many questions. When do I shed my skin? How long will this take? When should the swelling be gone? Will the dark circles around my eyes always be there? When will I look normal in makeup? Ever without? I'd love to hear from anyone who has gone through this that can offer any insight…. Also I am not able to download a photo. says wrong format. Any suggestions?
Replies (5)
November 11, 2013
Welcome to RealSelf! You had a lot done and from what I've read in this community, the recovery can be somewhat intense and long, too. It's very compassionate of you to see this from the doctor's and his staff's point of view, that they see this stuff often, but that doesn't make it easier on you!
You might want to join (or at least read through) this thread about the healing time for a facelift. Please keep us posted as you continue to recover!
November 11, 2013
Hi Stella, I had a similar procedure in 2006 when I was 42, face/neck and upper eyes. I had general anesthesia in the docs surgery center. I see that now they are doing more of these with local like you had. The thing about general anesth is that it has its own risks and it's super expensive. I think it added 3000 to my costs. But it does sound like you went through a lot!
It took me 6 weeks to look presentable with most bruising gone and swelling mostly gone down. (Other people may not notice the swelling as much as you do.) Also, the docs may have more modern techniques now which heal faster. I stayed numb under my chin for a long time--but being numb there isn't a big deal. Scars healed well, I just have a little white line that goes from behind the ear into my hair on each side of my head. If I really cared, I guess I could have it tattoo'd a bit darker, to match my skin, but it's very small.
I looked normal without makeup at 6 weeks :) I don't think any bruising, even under your eyes will be permanent but of course ask your doc. If it's broken blood vessels (which are permanent unless treated) they can treat them with a minor laser treatment.
I think most photos on here are jpg format. They might also accept png and gif. It's the part that's after the dot that tells the format. If there's nothing after the dot in the photo file name, you can sometimes just add .jpg to the name and it will work.
Take care!
November 12, 2013
Thank you for sharing your experience…. I am feeling better today. I put makeup on and felt more human. I feel as though I just need to give it time after researching. I am basically healthy and juice a lot. I am hoping this will accelerate my healing. The swelling seems to be just a little bit less everyday. I will keep up with my progress with my posts. Thank you so much for the help with the photo issue. I will try now, hopefully with success!
November 3, 2014
With regard to not being able to post your photos, I realized that if I had changed the name of the photo, from what my iPhone or camera automatically issued, I always got a "wrong format" error.
And, with regard to the dark circles, they generally are shadows that appear much worse when the areas under our lower lashes are swollen. I still have swelling after almost 8 weeks from my surgery.
You look lovely. I am sorry for the pain you suffered during (and after) your surgery. I also learned about the severe limits of "local" surgery the hard way, but fortunately it was before I had my extensive face lift.
November 17, 2014
I too had the same surgery about 2 months ago. I know what you mean by the dark circles, I still have them and I am going back tomorrow for a follow-up. I still have some swelling on the right side (very little). I am generally pleased with the outcome so far but I had it explained by my doctor that the four stages are Hideous, Ugly, Bad and Thank god! It does take a long time for healing, especially behind the ears. Be patient and you hopefully will be pleasantly surprised.
UPDATED FROM stella24
13 days post
Tuesday… almost two weeks. A good day!
stella24November 12, 2013
I go to my surgeon tomorrow for my two week check in. I am very happy to report my swelling is getting less each day. I am convinced my ears are dead…. Or dying.
I feel like my face is a giant ice cube that is slowwwwlly melting. This is encouraging in a weird way. I can hardly wait until I am thawed completely. Putting makeup on for the first time today was interesting. The numbness on my eyes is a very strange. It is like my eyelid is not there. Hoping this gets better soon. I will report back after my appointment tomorrow. I am hoping to get a better report this time. Last week he seemed concerned that there was much swelling and told me to take things more slowly. I am a definite type A personality and don't like taking it easy!
I feel like my face is a giant ice cube that is slowwwwlly melting. This is encouraging in a weird way. I can hardly wait until I am thawed completely. Putting makeup on for the first time today was interesting. The numbness on my eyes is a very strange. It is like my eyelid is not there. Hoping this gets better soon. I will report back after my appointment tomorrow. I am hoping to get a better report this time. Last week he seemed concerned that there was much swelling and told me to take things more slowly. I am a definite type A personality and don't like taking it easy!
Replies (1)
November 15, 2015
I am 12 days post and you look a lot better than me,I am still a woodchuck with bruising around my jaws and a shiner,You look great.My upper eyes though were the easiest part the scars are almost gone ,Avocado oil at all times.You look so beautiful.Why do I not have numbness except in my jaws does anyone know????I still have my behind the ears and head stitches.
Replies (12)