62 Years Old and Starting Over. Victoria, BC

Hi All,
Life is good! I'm just a couple of days away from week 7 and thought I'd give you an update and add a few of my photos. I'm sorry for the poor quality - one of these days I'll put on full makeup and get some proper ones done!

I'm still really happy with my results even though I've had some relaxing around the mouth. I know it has a lot to do with my crooked face because if I hold my jaw a certain way for better alignment it goes away. (I always do try to hold it that way, and did even before the surgery.) My PS did warn me, going in, that I might want some filler around my mouth but...sigh...it isn't in the budget at the moment. The sides of my face are still numb but really not bad, at all, and I still notice swelling at night if it's been a really active day. I was back to sleeping with my regular pillow after week 4. It's still a little tender to lay on my side and I have to position my face just so, to be comfortable.

There's still only a handful of people that know I've had a face lift, and I wasn't sure what to expect when I started going out, again. I've been receiving lots of compliments about the way I look, generally related to being rested/happy/bright or glowing. (Thank you, I'll take it!) I've also been told my slightly changed hairdo has done wonders for me (it's longer and I'm going with my natural curl), as has losing weight. The big test was a family gathering about a month post. I received many of the above compliments and it was lovely but I did notice my niece kept staring at me. She commented on the hair and said I looked really great, adding being in love was really good for me. If she, or anyone, had asked me, I would have told them.

By the way, my boyfriend, who was shocked I would do this to myself, and had a really hard time accepting it, really likes the results. In fairness, he was most concerned about the possibility of something going wrong during surgery and also afraid that I wouldn't look like "me", anymore. I like this new version of me and I'm still not used to seeing myself in the mirror - it makes me smile every time!

I would like to clarify the cost of my surgery, since I've had a couple of inquiries. The price posted is in US dollars. I tried to enter it in Canadian dollars, but couldn't, so all in, I paid $10,700 CAD for my neck, lower and mid face lift with fat transplants in the hollows of my cheeks and under my eyes.

Thanks to all of you who have left compliments and comments! It's so great to have a place like this where we can "talk" freely and find total support and understanding. I wish you all the very best!

Hi all!
It's now day 13 and I thought I'd post a few more photos. I also added a couple of before shots for comparison.
I've discovered I really shouldn't exert myself during the day (I'm not supposed to, anyway) because I'll be terribly swollen in the evening. Much better to take it easy and stick to gentle walking. I can't believe how much I miss exercising! (Never thought I'd say that!) I have the go ahead to return to my routine at the three week mark.
I'm wearing the support garment every evening and still sleep in it. I couldn't stand that thing at the beginning but now it's become my security blanket.

Over all, things are going very smoothly and I couldn't be happier!

Hope you're all doing well!

Hello, all of you beautiful people out there! I’ve been following this site for awhile and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your reviews. I learned a lot as I silently travelled with many of you through your fears and tears, and ups and downs. You all helped pave a very smooth road for me on my own facelift journey. I decided to post my story with the hope those reading it may find something they can use.

A little about myself: I’m 62 years old and live in Victoria, B.C. Canada. I had a (full) facelift with fat implants in my cheeks and the hollows under my eyes on March 5, 2015.

I didn’t have my eyes done, in case you‘re wondering. Years ago, I developed a droopy left eyelid that was usually at half mast at the best of times, and would almost be completely closed when I was tired, stressed, or had an alcoholic drink. I was very self conscious about it and had it repaired in 2002. The great bonus is the other eye had to be done to match and the results have lasted amazingly very well over the years! Dr Naysmith was my surgeon then and that’s why I chose him for my facelift surgery. (My eyes to have a slight difference you may see in some of the photos.)

My story is very similar to many of yours. I’ve always been told I look young for my age but the last few years have been difficult on a personal level. The stress and heartache seemed to have taken their toll both emotionally and physically. I finally realized, about a year ago, I had to let go of the pain in order to move forward. I began by focussing on all the good things life had to offer and my heart began to fill with love, joy and gratitude. What a difference it made! I felt young, vibrant and happy. I lost 40 lbs. I sold a house full of sad memories and bought a new condo. My life is absolutely wonderful, now, but the one thing I couldn’t get around was the way I looked if I was caught by a camera in an unguarded moment, or saw myself in a mirror as I was passing by. If I wasn’t smiling I looked like a tired/sad/mad old lady. Who was that woman?

The way I looked was so at odds with the way I felt inside that I wanted to do something about it. I have to admit this created a huge internal struggle. Why couldn’t I just embrace the natural act of aging and be grateful for my good health? Why not only focus on all the good things I’ve been blessed with in my new life and accept the way I look? Are we not supposed to view the changes that age brings as our testament to the wisdom and knowledge and experience that only time lived can bring?

It seemed I was spending almost every waking moment thinking and arguing with myself over having the surgery when it finally occurred to me enough already! The indecision, itself, was taking the joy out of my life so it was time to do something, one way or another, and move on. Obviously, I chose to have the facelift. Once the decision was made it was easy move forward and do all the things one must do to make it happen. I’m only nine days post-surgery as I’m writing this and I can’t tell you how absolutely thrilled I am with my choice. It’s hard to define how wonderful it feels to recognize the person in the mirror, again.

A random thought:

This decision was made by my “new” self, the young at heart, vibrant, healthy, happy, forward looking person I had become. I see this procedure as a wonderful gift to myself and it’s brought me great joy! I have no doubt it was the right thing for me.

I strongly suspect if I made this decision as my “old” self, it would have been quite a different story, thinking it would make me feel better. Cosmetic surgery would not have cured my heartache, pain, depression and a life void of happiness…

On with the story!

Just when you think all is in order…
My girlfriend was supposed to be my caregiver and I thought all arrangements were set when she was unexpectedly called out of town by work for the week of my surgery. My boyfriend and my mom were the only other people who knew I was having this done. I’m in a very new and wonderful relationship with my man but because of the newness, along with his work commitments and the fact I suspect he’s very squeamish about these things and probably couldn’t handle seeing me right after surgery, I couldn’t ask him to be with me. (I really didn’t want him to see me, either!) So, that left my soon to be 90 year old mother as my caregiver. My Mom is amazing! She lives on her own, still drives, swims every morning, walks a couple km’s a day, runs three bridge clubs, volunteers filling grocery orders for seniors, is on the strata council for her condo, and so much more. Needless to say, I was in very good hands! It turned out to be a beautiful time of reconnection and bonding and I absolutely loved staying with her. She couldn’t do enough for me and I’m sure a large part of my quick recovery was due to her. Thanks, Mom, I’m ever so grateful!

Surgery Day:

Reported in at 7:15am for a four hour surgery at 8:30.

The surgery facility was like entering a spa. I was shown into a very comfortable pre-surgery room with heated floors, comfy chairs, TV and very attentive staff. I changed into my surgery gown and a cosy long robe. My blood pressure was taken, I was weighed and did some paperwork. The anesthetist came in and we had a pleasant chat. He went over my options and I decided I’d go with twilight sleep, as recommended. He gave me some pills then Dr. Naysmith came in with his professionalism, sense of humour and wonderful bedside manner. He made sure I was both physically and emotionally ready to do this. (He also called me the night before to see how I was doing, asked if I had any questions, and assured me all was in order for the morning.) He marked up my face and led me across the hall to the OR. I was introduced to all the staff, they were wonderful and chatty and made me feel I was in good hands. I was asked to hop up onto the table and “tucked in”. The next thing I remember is waking up to the sound of voices in the recovery area. I was in a little private room which was really nice.

My first thought was “Wow, it must be done!” I was aware of the bandages around my head, I felt no pain and, even though I continuously drifted in and out of sleep, the nurse seemed to be there every time I opened my eyes, ready to take care of me. I had no recollection of the surgery and no nausea. My hair had been freshly washed, which I hadn’t expected, and it was great because I had very little yucky stuff to deal with, later. I was in recovery for about 5 ½ hours and could have left an hour sooner but Mom couldn’t make it in at that time. That evening, Diane, the PS’s clinical assistant and my nurse at the surgery, made a house call to change the dressings and gave me a shot in the hip for pain and sleep. (Not that I felt any pain.) She left instructions with my Mom and urged me to have some soup before I fell asleep. I felt well looked after.

Days 1-3

My routine for the first three days went something like this:

I took ibuprofen three times a day for swelling.
Iced every hour I could during the day (when I wasn’t sleeping).
Took Arnica and Bromelaine,
Drank lots of smoothies made with fruits, veggies and added powdered vitamins/minerals. I also had Greek yogurt for protein, soups, and drank lots of water.
Walked about the house.

I’m not a back sleeper but I bought a large wedge pillow (12” deep x 26" l X 25"W) and it made all the difference in the world. I don’t have a recliner and don’t know what I would have done without it! I sometimes have neck and back pain and usually sleep on my side on a very flat pillow. The wedge combined with my flat pillow and another pillow under my knees was really quite comfortable. (Though, I do long to sleep on my side.)

First post-op appt was day 1 and the bandages were removed. I was allowed to shower on day 2 and it felt good to remove the “wimple” for a short while.

Days 4-9

I developed a large soft pocket of fluid under one of my eyes on day 3 that grew large enough to bother my vision by day 4. I called the PS office and they asked me to come in right away. It turned out to be nothing to worry about and it would subside by itself and, sure enough, it was smaller by the next day. I had the stitches in front of my ears removed on day 5 and the rest of the stitches and staples removed on day 8 - it was no big deal at all.

I didn’t use any of my prescribed medicine. I didn’t have any pain other
than discomfort from the tightness of the swelling and tenderness if I got too close to the bruising. I knew it would be gone soon and looked forward to the healing I could see happening each day.
My usual back and neck pain have come to visit due to the way I’m sleeping and I miss my yoga for relief. I was tired of wearing the “wimple” but on day 5 I only wear it in the evening and at night. (Now that I don’t have to wear it all the time, I don’t mind it when I have it on.)

The first few days seemed long but the whole experience has not been bad, at all. It was a great relief to have the stitches removed and I took my first easy walk outside on day 5. I feel so blessed to have had it this easy and I’m over the moon with the results.

It will be very interesting to see what my friends and the rest of my family have to say about it. I’ve told one of my brothers and he was fully supportive and asked for lots of pictures. He was quite impressed. My other brother lives out of town and I’ll be seeing him at the one month mark and will tell him then. I’ve decided not to say anything to anyone else unless they ask. I’ve recently lost 40 lbs so they may just figure the face goes with the new body and/or falling in love…we’ll see.

My boyfriend saw me for the first time after surgery on day 8. Prior to that, he kept in constant touch with my mom for updates, and with me, electronically, until I was able to comfortably talk on the phone. He did not want me to have this surgery and told me, constantly, he loved me just the way I was. (He’s so wonderful!) We’ve only been together for three months but I told him very soon after I met him my surgery was in the works. (I think there was some off hand remark about cosmetic surgery that became the perfect segue for “the conversation”.) He told me that even though he didn’t understand it, I would always have his support. (I think I may have fallen in love with him in that moment!) He seemed pretty shocked by the swelling and the bruises when he first saw me ( and since this was on day 8, I think it pretty much confirms my thoughts about him not handling my looks right after surgery), but he was greatly relieved that I still look like me. We were out shopping and, while I was across the floor looking at something, I saw him watching me from the other side of the room. He made his way over just to tell me how beautiful I looked…I think he’s coming around!

If you have any questions, please, feel free to ask. I’d like to help in any way I can.