FACE - Lower Facelift, Browlift, Lower Eyes and Laser Resurfacing - Folsom, CA

Some were concerned about incisions. Here are more photos of incisions at 7.5 weeks just taken on my iPhone. The facelift incision goes from top of the opening of the ear, around the back of ear and back up to the bottom of the opening of the ear (both ears). One incision under my chin. All other incisions are in the hairline, including the browlift.

I turn 60 in about two weeks. I have been planning for face procedures for a couple of years. This is my 60th birthday present to myself. I wanted to look in the mirror and see the face I once knew. I took two weeks off from work. Because I have dry eye syndrome, I elected not to have my upper eyes done at this time.

The first thing I noticed was a pounding headache from the brow lift, but this was to be expected. My eyes were swollen shut for 4 days, so I had to make arrangements for someone to stay with me longer than expected, because I was completely blind. I realized it was a good decision to hold off on the upper eyes, not just because of dry eye syndrome. Materials said arrange to have someone stay for 24 hours. Dr. Kaufman said this kind of swelling was unusual and I believe him. Incisions were all either around the ear or in the hairline. I experienced extreme tightness and numbness under the chin in front of and behind the ears. Honestly, it felt like someone was choking me with a rope. There is no escaping this discomfort, but the pain meds did help. By the looks of my picture the day after surgery, I look like a burn victim that must have been in excruciating pain. However, I never really noticed the discomfort of my skewered skin. The special balm and cold water vinegar solutions helped a great deal with that.

What was most difficult for me was the fact that my skin, muscles and nerves are all adjusting to new locations and that takes time. Often, I would start to feel better and think it was time to get off the pain meds and I would be good for a day or so, then the headaches, dull aches and numbness would start to get to me again. For me, it was closer to five weeks before I could get off the pain meds completely. At about four weeks, I started massaging the numb parts of my face. I could feel tingling and the next morning, my feeling would improve. The materials said that there could be some numbness that is permanent, but I am hoping not.

Seven weeks since procedure, still slight swelling under eyes, not noticeable. Soreness is gone and tightness is also growing less. I feel that even if I have some numbness that once the tightness is completely gone, I won't notice the small patch of slight numbness near the front of my ears.