POSTED UNDER Facelift REVIEWS
Facelift and More at Age 44! ($18,000 total cost = all procedures + caregiver)
ORIGINAL POST
Pictures coming soon! Scheduled for a short-scar...
murphusOctober 26, 2014
WORTH IT$16,000
Pictures coming soon! Scheduled for a short-scar facelift, endoscopic brow lift, autologous fat transfer, full face fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing, and labiaplasty on 11/19/14 (estimated total surgery time is 6 hours). I had a neck lift and full face 35% TCA peel 3.5 years ago, at age 41. I look forward to sharing my story as so many before me have done; I am grateful for Real Self and the support provided by its members! :)
murphus's provider
UPDATED FROM murphus
20 days pre
Warning: Pre-op pics - view at your own risk, very scary and sad
murphusOctober 30, 2014
Hello RS friends! I have uploaded my pre-op pics. I realize the quality is not too good with my standard cell phone so I just took a couple more without make-up, trying to look as bad as possible. I also added one of me from exactly 10 years ago - told the doctor I just want to look 10 years younger but still look like me. WTH happened to me??! Time has not been kind to me. Perimenopause since age 42 with teenage boy acne! I am horrified with the way I look - that's when I realized it's time to get some work done.
Replies (10)
October 30, 2014
I think you look beautiful but if I could go back I would have started doing something to reverse the aging process much sooner than I am. You can probably get away with something a litI'm 52 and wish I would have done something to stay looking younger longer. I am finally considering a face and neck lift and after that I want to do microdermabrasion or a peel.
October 30, 2014
I pressed enter before I was finished. You can probably get away with something a little less invasive than what I have to do.
October 31, 2014
Hi real, Thank you for the kind words! I had my first brow lift when I was 25 due to congenital issues, so I think of this as my tune up. :) On one hand, I feel very prepared; but on the the flip side, I know what I'm in for. As I recall, the first 3 days are the worst and it took a good 2 weeks for me to feel somewhat presentable to the public. When I did the neck lift 3.5 yrs ago, I had this great idea to start a blog and create a support forum online. Even my PS said that would be an awesome idea. Then I did some research and saw RS!! I am always a day late and a dollar short - they say most ideas have already been thought of...so here I am! I won't be able to make $$ off this like I planned by providing advice/support to others and owning my own site, but at least I can share my experience here and connect with some good people! You will know when you are ready - it's a very personal decision. Thank you again for stopping by and showing your support. No matter how knowledgeable I am about PS procedures, I still need support from kind people like you!
Warmest regards,
murphus
October 30, 2014
Looking forward to following your journey, best of luck with everything. Can I ask who your surgeon is ?
October 31, 2014
Hi lisbeth50, Thank you so much! I will reveal my surgeon on the site after the surgery. I don't want to give away my identity too soon. :)
Regards,
murphus
October 30, 2014
Be gentle on yourself and know that you are very brave to do this change. Don't put the pressure of years on the results...just say refreshed looking and it will happen. Bring your wish picture to show the doctor and he will know what to do. All the best!
November 6, 2014
Good for you for having the courage to do something about it! I hope that you get everything you want!!! Hey, I wanted to ask about the TCA peel. What did it do for you? Thanks!
November 7, 2014
Thank you so much! The TCA peel gave me perfect baby-smooth skin for about a month, then slowly, every month, the acne, pores and brown spots came back. TCA peels are good for acne as well as evening out texture, from what I read. I have also stayed out of the sun ever since. I was told by PS that they only last for 3 yrs tops. It made my face swell to the size of a basketball and was oozing for 3 days, then crusted, and took about 10 days for all the scabs to fall off. So now I am trying the CO2 laser, but the fact they have to put in stainless steel contacts in my eyes to protect them has me totally freaked out!!
February 16, 2015
Too funny....view at your own risk. ;) We, women, ...are so hard on ourselves. ;(
UPDATED FROM murphus
12 days pre
Feeling overwhelmed
murphusNovember 7, 2014
So much last minute stuff to do, so little time. I am feeling overwhelmed and the shorter days do not help the mood! I can tell I am stressed because I have been having palpitations that wake me up. I still plan on going through with it, but I just feel so alone. I'm not so sure that another post of gross pictures will help anyone, so I may be leaving RS. Thank you for all those who have provided support.
Warmest regards,
murphus
Warmest regards,
murphus
Replies (14)
November 7, 2014
Hi Murphus, I had a dry run at this, since I was scheduled for October 13th but had to reschedule that morning because of a joint supplement I have been taking for years apparently thins the blood. What kept me calm was knowing that anything I forgot I can send someone out for it. Kind of like packing for that big trip, if you forget something you will just need to buy it when you get there. As far as the photos you are seeing, I think it helps prepare me for what is to come, wouldn't you be horrified if you woke up looking like that and did not expect it? Really, if you did your research and you are comfortable with your doctor, your only job is to get there and let him take over. Not gonna lie I am scared too but at the same time I know I am going to go through with it as well. I am tired of looking at this sagging neck and hooded eyelids, I do not see ME when I look in the mirror. This is for me, finally something for only me! Take a deep breath, you can do this.
November 8, 2014
Thank you, BE YOU tiful!! I needed that support! I expected the emotional roller coaster afterwards, but did not expect this to be be so intense beforehand. And I would like to think of myself as a seasoned PS patient, hehe. The biggest fear is the stainless steel contacts they have to put in to protect my eyes from the laser. I had no idea - just found out last week!
Warmest regards,
murphus
November 9, 2014
I did not know about the contacts. But I will tell you that I am confident that I will be able to handle the aftercare and I am prepared for the pain that will follow surgery. I really do not want to think to much about the cutting, bleeding and laser that will go on it surgery. I am going to leave that to my doctor. If the contacts are needed for safety then I am ok with that, I will be sleeping anyway. I have had surgery before (C-section) and recently a colonoscopy, I remember absolutely nothing from those procedures. I did the research and I am confident in my doctor's ability and know that he will take the necessary precautions. I totally understand what you are going through, I am extremely busy right now yet find myself looking online at before and after photos more now then ever. I already made that trip to the surgery center on October 13th only to have it re-scheduled, so I know I can do it. Honestly the wait, the count down, is the hardest part of pre-op. I have thought about this for many years, it wasn't an impulsive decision as I am sure you have put years of thought into this. My job, our job, here is get to the surgery center on time and prepared as our doctor instructed and let him take it from there. All the jitters of course will be there. I am so thankful for RS, I found my doctor here. Was able to read reviews, see photos and read all about him before I made that first appointment. Also with RS I do not have to go through this alone. I really do hope that you stay on RS, I would love to go through this together. 9 days and counting for me.
November 12, 2014
Thank you, BE YOU tiful!!! Hugs!!! I will stay for you and the few others that have asked. It's nice to feel appreciated! And I truly appreciate you!!
Warmest regards,
murphus
November 9, 2014
Murphus,
Have you decided if you will continue to post on RS?
I hope you do as you would be of a great help to many of us in the prestage.
Wishing you well
November 12, 2014
Thank you, somehope!! I will continue RS as I hope to be of help and find mutual support. Hugs!!
Warmest regards,
murphus
November 16, 2014
I know exactly how you are feeling. I am going in for face/neck lift on Nov 24th so just a few days after you. I am scared and excited...it really helps me to hear other peoples stories so please keep posting. Sending you lots of encouragement.
November 18, 2014
Thank you so much, kvincent! I'm not going to lie; I am very anxious! When I get too anxious I get frequent PVCs which add to the anxiety. I am trying to practice mindfulness meditation and not think about it too much, which is hard to do! I keep telling myself this is something I wanted and am paying big money for and time will fly by, like this entire year has. Seems that time moves faster the older I get!
Warmest regards,
murphus
November 18, 2014
I understand exactly what you mean. Hang in there only 1 more day and then you will be busy healing.
November 18, 2014
Murphas,
Wishing you the best with your surgery!!
I am anxious to see your recovery. And final outcome. I will see a Cleveland plastic surgeon next week. Would live to know who you are seeing once.
Best wishes!
January 9, 2015
Hi Murphus!
How was your surgery? Hope it went very well. When seeing your last post, I just remembered my sister’s situation when she visited Wellness Kliniek for her facelift surgery. But the surgeons and the nurses in the clinic has helped her to overcome the difficulty faced.
Now, I am seeing a completed confident person as my sister. She was very lucky and blessed to have such a clinic and a surgeon.
January 24, 2015
Hi Amykatie! I am still healing and in an awkward looking phase. I know I still have swelling but hope it settles soon.
Warmest regards,
murphus
Replies (19)