POSTED UNDER Facelift REVIEWS
46 and Ready for a Lift - New York, NY
ORIGINAL POST
I have really appreciated the information shared...
WORTH IT$20,000
I have really appreciated the information shared on this site... it has helped me so much as I was thinking through the decision to go for it. I want to give back to the community -- and, yes, I'd love your support through my journey!
A couple of weeks ago I interviewed my doc and set a date. I travel a lot for work and my "window of opportunity" this year isn't until April, so I still have a while to wait. Trying not to obsess too much in the interim (and not succeeding too well).
Here are a couple of current pictures showing what I want to fix.
A couple of weeks ago I interviewed my doc and set a date. I travel a lot for work and my "window of opportunity" this year isn't until April, so I still have a while to wait. Trying not to obsess too much in the interim (and not succeeding too well).
Here are a couple of current pictures showing what I want to fix.
Ato Z's provider
UPDATED FROM Ato Z
2 months pre
Not exactly ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille
I got copies today of my professional pre-op photos (which my PS requires) and I was surprised by a few things.
(1) They are in B&W. I guess that makes sense; the doc isn't going to do my makeup, after all, and B&W shows texture better than color. I think the contrast may also have been enhanced to show more detail.
(2) The sagginess of cheeks and neck doesn't look as bad in these pictures as it does in the ones I took (or in recent candid snapshots), because the photographer had massive lights shining straight at my face instead of the overhead lighting we normally inhabit. Fewer shadows = less obvious droopiness. I guess RuPaul is right and it's all about the lighting.
(3) But OMG the texture of my skin in these high-res B&W photos is appalling. Thank goodness for makeup.
(4) And perhaps the most useful thing I learned: the photographer had me do a "big toothy grimace" for the camera... and my smile is more lopsided than I realized. Not that I see this as a problem, but it's something I want to make note of now and not freak about asymmetry later, since I wasn't symmetrical to start with!
P.S. Waiting for my hair to hurry up and grow. I have worn a pixie for years but that does NOT seem like a good option for the recovery phase! Maybe by the time the surgery is done and I'm ready to go back to work my hair will be in some kind of decent shape and people will attribute any change in appearance to my hair being past the awkward-growing-out phase.
(1) They are in B&W. I guess that makes sense; the doc isn't going to do my makeup, after all, and B&W shows texture better than color. I think the contrast may also have been enhanced to show more detail.
(2) The sagginess of cheeks and neck doesn't look as bad in these pictures as it does in the ones I took (or in recent candid snapshots), because the photographer had massive lights shining straight at my face instead of the overhead lighting we normally inhabit. Fewer shadows = less obvious droopiness. I guess RuPaul is right and it's all about the lighting.
(3) But OMG the texture of my skin in these high-res B&W photos is appalling. Thank goodness for makeup.
(4) And perhaps the most useful thing I learned: the photographer had me do a "big toothy grimace" for the camera... and my smile is more lopsided than I realized. Not that I see this as a problem, but it's something I want to make note of now and not freak about asymmetry later, since I wasn't symmetrical to start with!
P.S. Waiting for my hair to hurry up and grow. I have worn a pixie for years but that does NOT seem like a good option for the recovery phase! Maybe by the time the surgery is done and I'm ready to go back to work my hair will be in some kind of decent shape and people will attribute any change in appearance to my hair being past the awkward-growing-out phase.
Replies (5)
February 11, 2014
Best wishes to you. I decided a couple of months ago to go ahead with my facelift and have scheduled it for February 25th. I think you look great also, but I get where you're coming from. I started noticing major changes to my skin (jowls and neck starting to show wrinkles) at 50 years old. I'm surprised at how much worse it has gotten just in the last couple of years -- so 52 is the year for me.
I plan to post photos after my surgery through the recuperation period if you care to check them out. It really does help a lot to read the experiences here.
February 13, 2014
I just did my review yesterday --- and it said all information was submitted -- if it went through - this time ----- please look -- I put pictures up from before all the way to end of week three! I remember sending some off to my mom and she said "my God it look like you went through a windshield" Now that I look back -- yea it kinda does! I am real leery of people who are plastic surgeons and don't have a good photo room. Mine had a beautiful set-up so that each "rotten angle" of my face was captured :) But, on the other hand I have know excellent surgeons who just have the person come in and snap away! Anyway's, I hope you get to view my website -- profile name was marathon mom but i believe I left my review caption 57 year old wants to look as young as she feels! Will keep in touch. Oh, yea -- that's pit bull :)
February 13, 2014
oh, yes -- one more thing -- go to a great place and get put on a good skin care regimen -- I know this could cost up to 500.00 but your spending thousands. I used SkinMedica for 3 months before my surgery and my skin was beautiful. I also now use it just because I fell in love with the product. But, I buy on amazon or e-bay. Again, not cheap -- You can use any facial wash I just ended up buying the same brand -- followed by TMS serum (not cheap) or let's say cheaper on Amazon I paid 250.00, then the derma filler moisturizer (only FDA approved product that has botox in the ingredients, the the TNS eye cream. Now every other day I use the retinol before the derma filler moisturizer. This is what I used --- all I want to do is make sure since not having till April --- go see someone about products before facelift.
February 20, 2014
I just came across this site yesterday. I'm reading your comments and looked up SkinMedica and TNS products on Amazon but it doesn't elaborate what they're for our what they do...can you share? Thanks :)
February 20, 2014
So you may go directly to the SkinMedica web site and each product will tell you what used for -- again I just wanted my skin in the best condition before surgery since I was just using so so products. Again, any facial cleanser -- no scrubs --TNS (buy or bid on amazon) otherwise very expensive - I had to buy at office now buy on-line. dermal cream -- best ever -- after 5 days started using again -- not on incision areas! The TNS eye cream - not until end of week two just Bacitraycin Plua (real not store brand) then suncream by same company. In the beginning before surgery also used a retinal product 3 times per week. To this day I still use Bacitraycin Plus every evening for all visible incisions and of course behind ears. All this is done minimum morning and evening. Hope this helps. I have normal skin it just was so so looking in the beginning.
UPDATED FROM Ato Z
2 months pre
Pre-op phone consultation with nurse
Called today for my pre-op phone consultation with the surgical nurse. Mostly the purpose of this seemed to be confirming that I read and had understood all the materials they had provided me and giving me a chance to ask questions.
What I learned was...
(1) At 2 weeks before the surgery, really cut out absolutely all vitamins and supplements (other than the Arnica Montana and Bromelain) as well as alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. (a long list); maintain through 2 weeks post.
(2) One week before the surgery, start taking Arnica Montana and Bromelain 3x a day; continue through 2 weeks post.
(3) An Ambien or Tylenol PM is OK the night before the surgery if I am nervous and cannot sleep.
(4) It will be OK to take Diflucan (which, given the antibiotics, I am glad to hear).
(5) I will have drains for 48 hours which my private nurse will remove. But all the sutures and/or clips will stay in a full week; the first post-op appointment will be scheduled for one week after the surgery.
(6) The doc wants patients to keep the face muscles and skin very still to the extent possible -- minimize talking, laughing, smiling, chewing but also not washing the face, not applying moisturizer, not massaging the scalp while shampooing, etc. -- for the first 2 weeks. Gentle rinsing with warm water is beneficial after 48 hours but the strong instruction is don't move the facial muscles or disturb the facial skin any more than absolutely necessary during those first 2 weeks. The nurse said this really makes a big difference for optimal healing.
What I learned was...
(1) At 2 weeks before the surgery, really cut out absolutely all vitamins and supplements (other than the Arnica Montana and Bromelain) as well as alcohol, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. (a long list); maintain through 2 weeks post.
(2) One week before the surgery, start taking Arnica Montana and Bromelain 3x a day; continue through 2 weeks post.
(3) An Ambien or Tylenol PM is OK the night before the surgery if I am nervous and cannot sleep.
(4) It will be OK to take Diflucan (which, given the antibiotics, I am glad to hear).
(5) I will have drains for 48 hours which my private nurse will remove. But all the sutures and/or clips will stay in a full week; the first post-op appointment will be scheduled for one week after the surgery.
(6) The doc wants patients to keep the face muscles and skin very still to the extent possible -- minimize talking, laughing, smiling, chewing but also not washing the face, not applying moisturizer, not massaging the scalp while shampooing, etc. -- for the first 2 weeks. Gentle rinsing with warm water is beneficial after 48 hours but the strong instruction is don't move the facial muscles or disturb the facial skin any more than absolutely necessary during those first 2 weeks. The nurse said this really makes a big difference for optimal healing.
Replies (20)
February 19, 2014
Thanks for posting your pre-op consultation. I have my last pre-op appointment today. I'll be sure to ask my doctor about arnica and bromelain as I have already purchased it. If he gives it the okay, I'll start it today. I'm one week out. Yikes. lol
February 19, 2014
Arnica is taken 2 days before surgery --- if you take it that far out it won't help
February 19, 2014
I bought Sinnech. It says to start the day before on that package. I didn't know if that will suffice or if I should get the little pellets from the natural health store.
February 19, 2014
Arnica can be bought on Amazon --- for about 26.00 versus what the charge in the doctors office which is 50.00
February 20, 2014
Thanks! My doctor doesn't sell it at all, but is fine with me using it if I desire.
February 20, 2014
I guess it can't hurt? My PS doesn't sell it, so there's no "angle" there... anyway I'll start a week ahead as they suggest. BTW I bought both the arnica and the bromelain from drugstore.com.
February 20, 2014
Yes, I figure it can't hurt so I'm going to go with it also. I even bought an Arnica topical cream, along with the pills. I have Bromelain also.
February 19, 2014
Just my opinion here - 46 is awfully young for a facelift. There are many more conservative options for skin and even sagging skin, ie, laser, Ulltherapy or Alltherapy just a couple I have seen done on YT Is amazing. I'm 58 now and really started noticing facial issues after 50. I got laser in Sept 13. It erased my upper lip lines which were awful but still have lines around my mouth so I'm getting it done at no charge again on those areas. Overall it made my skin much better. I have neck issues also but can't afford a lift so I am looking into Ulltherapy which is light. Not usually into fillers and light but was really impressed at the immediate results in the video I saw. Looking at your photos I know there are lesser invasive procedures that would take care of your issues. But good luck with your surgery.
February 20, 2014
I did consider the nonsurgical stuff but all things weighed in the balance I decided to bite the bullet early. BTW I find "Makeup Wakeup" by Sandy Linter and Lois Joy Johnson a really wonderful source on post-40 beauty and the pro and con discussions they have about nonsurgical and surgical procedures are quite helpful. Plus, fabulous makeup advice!
February 20, 2014
BTW another great beauty-over-40 book is "Staging Your Comeback" by Christopher Hopkins. If I recall correctly it doesn't deal with surgical / medical options but it is excellent for makeup, hair, and fashion. I made a spa day appointment with Christopher as a 45th birthday present for myself and it was just a really fun experience. He and his partner are just so warm and friendly and his mom / fashion expert is an awesome lady.
February 20, 2014
That sounds like fun! My splurge one time while my son was at NYU was to have my hair done by Louis Licari (Today Show makeovers). It was so much fun and he did a great job. Thanks for your book recommendations.
February 20, 2014
Thank you, I'll definitely check out the book...always interested in skin care - it's overwhelming how many products there are.
February 20, 2014
No kidding --- at first I thought jesus --- how expensive -- especially if bought in an office --- but then as time passed and people said "wow, your skin looks nice" I have NEVER had that said to me my entire life!
February 20, 2014
I keep seeing photo's of people with big bandages around there heads and drains --- I had no bulky anything on my head -- except constrictive tape on my neck which would be off by day 7 and no drains. My doctor uses a fibergin glue (not sure if spelled right) so it's really nice - like gluing my face -- loved it!! Not one problem -- perfect
February 20, 2014
Are any of you familiar with Ulltherapy? I came across a You Tube video showing a lady getting it and I was amazed at the immediate results she was getting with this light. I simply can't afford a facelift so I'm looking at other options for my neck area and wrinkles around my mouth. I just spent $3700 to have my face lasered and because the dr is conservative, I have to have a redo around the outer corners and chin areas again. I also need suggestions for eyelid wrinkles, he won't do those because the skin is thin there - he won't do anything that potentially can scar. I don't know the cost of the Ulltherapy but it says online it's about $1500 to $2000. If I'm going to spend this kind of money I want to know I'm going to get some good results.
February 20, 2014
Not sure about this -- but I will say good for your doctor --- to actually say no laser around the eyes due to thin areas --- I think he is fantastic for not doing.
April 10, 2014
i had Ultherapy done, and boy was it painful!!! people get excellent results though. I would never have it done again, unless I was under.
May 8, 2014
I have done Ultherapy 3x in the past 3 years. I do feel between that, botox & filler, it has postponed my need for a facelift for a while. i might have actually waited until I was 60 for a FL, if we weren't moving cross country soon & my insurance hadn't approved my eyelid surgery. I've been so happy with the place I've been going for everything, I figured I'd have the FL done there too. Don't let the ads for Ulltherapy prices fool you. It's $1500-2,000 per AREA, split into upper face, lower face & they just recently added the neck. The entire face & neck will cost around $5,000, which is 1/2 what I paid for my face/necklift. Also, be SURE you find a place that has been doing Ultherapy REGURLARLY, for at least a year. i got in on the ground floor & was a training guniea pig. it was by far, one of the most painful experiences of my entire life! They were told by the manufacturer it was not painful at all. By the time it was my turn on training day, they had figured that out & shot up my entire face with lidocaine but it was very little help. I had burn marks on my face too. I put up a [RS bleep] so bad, they finally offered me the $$$ back in free services, equal to the 1/2 price I put up for it. i have had it done 2x since then--also training days at 1/2 price & it was totally pain free those 2x. I recently spoke to their representative & they said they have now learned to use a lighter ultrasound pulse & more pulses, criss-crossing each other for best results. I hope this is helpful to you.
Replies (19)