I Have Wanted/needed/hoped to Do This for Years! - Orlando, FL

Disappointed.

Guess I'm going to have to resort to trying to lose ten pounds!!

Unfortunately, that just makes the skin sag more... Please don't be disappointed, you got exactly what you paid for & your neck looks fantastic!

Will you posts some new pictures? I think you can get "tweaked" in about six months with what they call a "mini-lift" that will address the jowels. There are videos online with surgeons explaining the different kinds of lifts...full facelift (the Joan River's look), lower facelift, necklift and some surgeons have come up with their own names like my surgeon has something called the "RT Mini Lift" which addresses the lower region and jawline. I believe that's what he gave me eventhough I called mine a "necklift," only because he had to excise fillers under my chin. I was a little confused as to what to call it in my review so I called it necklift/facelift revision. My jowels were addressed in my first lower facelift 14 years ago and after that experience I said never again, until the area under my chin started getting botched worse and seven years later I did it again. But that surgeon didn't excise the bulky implant under the chin and the lateral tightening didn't last so I had to do it one more time, the right way. It really put me behind paying off my house mortgage but I made choices based on what I valued the most. Since my neck is on view in my job---I stand while people sit and look up at me---I decided to put money into my neck. So right now eventhough you say you will never do it again, you should probably never say never!

A full facelift does NOT have to make you look like Joan Rivers! She's had dozens.

I agree 100%

I do plan on doing this again in the next 10-20 years. Whatever I need to stay looking as young as I feel. I'm not going down without a fight!

Puffer me too- My oldest said Oh I guess at 67!youll do it again- Did at 47 57 & heck ya I am- I'm with you!

You are so sweet! Thank you!

None of my dearest and closest has said a THING to me about it! I just had coffee with one yesterday, and was fully prepared to tell it all IF she asked, but she did not. I honestly believe that I am/was the only one who noticed my saggy neck! I didn't have anything done to my face, and in am still a bit puffy, so I don't know that I look much 'different' let alone 'better' to anyone but me ( and my hubby). In fact, when I told my hairdresser (had to - I couldn't have her raking the comb through stitches or staples) she couldn't tell any difference - until I showed her my before profile picture and my 'new' neck. She was shocked and acknowledged the difference was huge! My brother didn't say anything, and he sure wouldn't hesitate if he'd thought I had work done, trust me! My surgeon did an outstanding job hiding stitched areas. I plan to tell anyone who asks me about it, because I think those of us self-conscious about our necks will notice others, and I waited years for a doctor recommendation from someone I knew and trusted. Beth Moore has (to my eyes) obviously had work done, as has Joyce Meyers and Kay Arthur! I feel God gave surgeons their skills - we shouldn't feel guilty using them! Keep me posted on your decisions and progress? Good luck!!

Thank you NannaLove for your candid reply!! Yes, I too had noticed Beth, Kay and my favorite Joyce were looking very very well for their ages!!! Funny you should mention them ~ I had the same thought as you ~ these obvious spiritual giants could do it, why not me? But I am most encouraged by your experience ~ no one noticed?? That is what I am ideally hoping for. I want the work done, but I want the results to be very natural looking. And I'm worried about the scarring

...I was happy you had shown your stittches behind the ears. I had not seen photos of that till I saw your post. Does your hair cover it all well? I am also considering a Mini Lift or neck lift (if I can work up the courage! and the money...lol) My hair is shoulder-length and I frequently have it in a ponytail. Do you think scars behind the ears will show? I'm sorry if I am wearing you out with questions :) Thank you so much for your feedback! Blessings ~ Sassy105

NannaLove...love your thoughts here. I was also around friends who said nothing about my neck. Then when I returned to my Sculptra injector for a final correction and asked if he noticed a dent from where Alloderm was removed from my neck and what he'd suggest to correct it he laid it all right out with the appropriate response... "...YOU are the only one who notices because YOU have spent YEARS noticing under YOUR chin...(emphasis mine)..." I instantly recognized what he was saying and admitted my own hyperscrutiny. Then he looked at my arms and said, "Sculptra is also injected into arms to correct dimpling." I quickly responded, "Don't care about my arms, just my face...." So your own pet-peeves are afterall very personal and any surgeon who helps you keep your surgery decision "secret," by not overdoing you, is worth gold for sure!! High five to both of us for succeeding!

I know nothing about what stitching would be involved with a forehead procedure, but my guess is that all the 'magic' happens behind the 'curtains' - your hair!! which will grow over and cover the scars, eventually. It really is remarkable - we are truly 'fearfully and wonderfully made'! I wonder if I brought it up, if the girls would say, "Oh, I thought so!" But in the end, I think we are overly critical of ourselves, and our friends see us with their hearts. Unless it's something you've talked about bothering you before, they probably don't see it, and may not see the difference. And they each probably have a pet peeve of their own that you don't see, either!!

I will very happily take more closeups later today (now at week 3 1/2) but will tell you now that my hair easily covers the staple line on my scalp, and unless you are looking for them, doubt if you'd notice the stitched areas around and behind my ears, especially as the raised and redness continues to fade. A ponytail might be more tricky initially, but not after time I shouldn't think. Will post pics when my favorite cameraman returns from his errands this afternoon!! P.S. I am not feeling worn out with questions. It is exactly why I made the decision to post here - to be a resource like the one I wanted to have before/during/after my own decision to do this!

Exactly! And I have never been more certain that it was the right choice for ME, or so glad I made this decision only FOR me, since I am the only one who cared before, or notices afterward!!! I would have had the same response you did about arms, "Who cares?" LOL When my surgeon promised I would not look like Joan Rivers, I knew we were on the same page

Care Credit offers a 2 year, interest free loan of up to $10,000. Couldn't have done mine without it!

Thank you NannaLove!!! Can't wait to see more pics &=)

So true! I've mentioned having something done just in passing to my friends, but they always (very sweetly and with encouragement) say, "What??? No! You look fine." But what they don't know is I walk around with a headache from holding my eyebrows up all day to keep my forehead from sliding down in front of my eyes!! Ha! You are right, though, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made"! Now I am trying to fearlessly and gracefully age. :) It's not as easy as I thought it would be. Especially in a day and age where is all about the photographs. Every. time I turn around someone's snapping pics and posting them on Facebook for all the world to see...ugh. Why couldn't all this obsessive. picture taking have begun 20 years ago??? Double ugh.

What??? The more I read posts on Real Self the more I learn. I was told Care Credit was an interest only loan. Guess I should just be happy I got fixed and move on with my life.

I've probably borrowed around $10,000 in the past 5 years from Care Credit, never paid a dime of interest! Just finished paying it off (early), to borrow more for my FL.