“My 56th Birthday Present - Dallas, TX”

I will be 56 this weekend, and look 10 years younger. In the last year there's been more attention than I like to my sagging cheeks and () around the mouth, so decided to update my face to match my body. It is 3 days after full face Ultherapy… and I pray it gets better. It hurt much more than expected, even with 2 Motrin 30 minutes before treatment. I did a colonoscopy with no drugs or anesthesia, so my pain tolerance is pretty high. It still felt like a million tiny needles piercing my skin, especially painful around the outer corners of my eyes. Ohhh, but I was not prepared for the swelling. On day 1, my left lower face was so swollen it jiggled when I walked. Not only was it swollen, but I had a 1” x 2” welt under my neck, 2 dime sized raised areas under the skin surface on my right cheek, and a 2 inch round raised area under the skin surface on my left cheek. Today the swelling subsided slightly, but there are ‘red transducer tracks’ on both cheeks and a darkened patch of skin on my left cheek. My left cheek is very numb. I took off 1 day from work, but would have taken a few more days had I known the after effects. EVERYONE noticed the swelling, so I had several dental work versions to appease the curious. As I write this, I feel tingling in my cheeks, similar to how it feels when local anesthesia wears off. I am praying this all resolves soon, and my money will be well spent on a great birthday present? I will provide updates in 7, 14, 30, and 90 days.

Updated on 20 Feb 2012:
Well, this is day 7! I had birthday dinner with my family and they didn't speak of swelling, so swelling is much better. My sister thought I had lipstick on my cheek but the subject was changed before she asked more questions - Thank Goodness! The dark patch peeled off and there was good skin underneath.

My main concerns now are the right/left asymmetry just under the eyes, and also asymmetrical cheeks. I still have "welts" on my neck and lower left cheek - feels like zits up under the skin. They are better than they were on day 3, but each idiosyncracy on your face is a source of concern.

I don't have another dr. visit until 3 months out. Seems to me he would want to know progress just for the sake of knowing how to improve his technique. I think I'll call the dr. tomorrow and ask about the welts/zits.

Overall, things are looking better ...

Updated on 5 Mar 2012:
Well, this is day 21. The Dr. has seen me twice since the procedure was done - to evaluate the welts/zits, and what are small superficial minor burns on the neck and cheeks. Dr. prescribed a topical steroid for the burns and massage for the welts. The welts are smaller, still sore, but much better. Dr. said my skin was sensitive and hyperpigmentation (I call them T burn marks) will resolve with use of fade cream. The T burn marks are not that bad (like results of acne flare up), but I’m somewhat disappointed because I didn’t have them going into the procedure… but, it’s one of the known risks.

When my face was swollen, skin was tighter, but since swelling totally subsided, I don’t see a difference. Hopefully in 3 months the results will make it all worthwhile. I’ll update in about another month.