POSTED UNDER Facelift Reviews
Facelift Advice From Eleven Days Out - Washington, DC
UPDATED FROM LilEgg
2 years post
I have an inherited saggy neck that became...
LilEggAugust 20, 2016
WORTH IT$9,000
I have an inherited saggy neck that became pronounced when I neared the 50-years-old mark, and I believe this was exacerbated by my daily runs. I looked so old that people on the bus would give me their seat on a frequent basis, really depressing for someone as healthy and fit as I am. I chose Dr. Hopping after a work colleague confided that she went through it over a Christmas break that year, and she looked and said she felt amazing, recovery was a breeze she said. Recovery for me was fraught with uncertainty: would the tightness at my neck be there forever? Would I ever regain feeling in the sides of my face. Two years on, I can assure everyone that, yes, these problems go away completely after about three months. And the results are quite amazing. Unlike the reputation for facelifts that they make your face look "fake" or "a little weird", mine is not in the least bit noticeable; I just look like the younger me.
LilEgg's provider
UPDATED FROM LilEgg
2 years post
It's been three years, thrilled with the results
LilEggAugust 20, 2016
Dr. Hopping did an amazing job but it took me about six months to realize it. I was so full of anxieties I'm even embarrassed to read about them here. But I can say without reservation that the results are amazing, I look fresher, more energized and definitely more than a decade younger than I did before. Yet Dr. Hopping's work is very natural, utterly undetectable, with none of the signs of a facelift that you sometimes see. One caution if you are a runner: I believe my sagging face and neck had been exacerbated by a decade of running, so I never run without neck support. I use a gaiter (like what bikers use) but I put it on like a hood, and then wear a cap over it. It supports my chin and the sides of my face and yes it looks ridiculous or like I'm wearing a hijab (I'm Irish!) but I'm protecting my investment! I highly recommend Dr. Hopping!
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM LilEgg
17 days post
17 days out. Considering next steps.
LilEggNovember 8, 2013
Thank you all for your comments, they have been very helpful. I am in conversation with the surgeon. The specific problem I have is that there is a choke-point around my neck.
He did describe what he did: while it feels as though there is a cord around my neck, in fact it is a single stitch in the midline connecting the two sides of the platysma, and sutures tying the platysma to ligaments behind my ears on each side. He states that he placed only self-absorbing sutures, but scar tissue will take the place of the suture. There is not likely to be any loosening except that any residual swelling is making it more noticeable to me. However there is little to no swelling today and the chokehold is impossible to ignore, especially when I swallow.
I'm requesting the surgeon's operation report, and I am going to request a second opinion from another doctor. I don't know if this can even be fixed, so that is what I will be trying to find out.
He did describe what he did: while it feels as though there is a cord around my neck, in fact it is a single stitch in the midline connecting the two sides of the platysma, and sutures tying the platysma to ligaments behind my ears on each side. He states that he placed only self-absorbing sutures, but scar tissue will take the place of the suture. There is not likely to be any loosening except that any residual swelling is making it more noticeable to me. However there is little to no swelling today and the chokehold is impossible to ignore, especially when I swallow.
I'm requesting the surgeon's operation report, and I am going to request a second opinion from another doctor. I don't know if this can even be fixed, so that is what I will be trying to find out.
Replies (5)
November 8, 2013
LilEgg,
After YOU heard him describe his technique for the platysma correction and HE heard you describe the choke hold feeling what does he say is the likelihood of this resolving on its own. And what is the anticipated timeline.
The docs on RS are always telling patients to simply look at photos and downplay asking for details of HOW procedures are actually being done in determining what PS to use . Perhaps if you knew his technique PRIOR to your surgery you could have asked the others you consulted with if they concur with his suggested technique or if that might have long term side effects such as the one you are experiencing.
At what point in your pre-surgery consultation with Dr Hopping did he mention this as an expected phase of your healing? I really hope that this is a temporary tightness that will relax as scar tissue matures BTW, was your $'s his fee or the total for all services? tks. ..grace60
November 12, 2013
Hello grace60. That was his total fee.
During pre-surgery consultation I did not ask detailed questions. He did a quick photo-markup to show the expected change in profile. My new profile is a considerably more dramatic change. The break between the horizontal area below my jaw and the vertical area of my neck was not proposed, discussed, nor shown to me in the photo-markup. He did not mention any potential side-effects other than the written disclaimer I had to sign (disfigurement or death, etc.)
November 10, 2013
Aesthetically your lift looks great. I am so sorry you are a having functional problems!
November 12, 2013
I had a SMAS face lift and neck lift on Sept. 5th. It was quite an easy recovery the first few weeks. I went through a period of time (a few weeks ago) when my face and neck started to regain feeling and would cycle through extreme periods of tightness and pinching. I took Wobenzyme's for swelling and it helped, but honestly, I was in a terrible mood and quite agitated all the time. This past week it has released a great deal; this is a process that requires time and patience. I was really beginning to think that the swelling and tightness were not going to get better. Take your time with this. You can't determine the results for 4-6 months. I still have swelling under my chin and although my face looks pretty good to me, I know it will change and settle over the next few months. Please give it time...my neck has been so tight I didn't want to touch it but it's really getting better now. I understand the "dead fish" thing and I have had a difficult time with that. I believe in time you will get through this feeling with your neck, as I believe I will. Hang in there, you really do look great. Best Wishes in your recovery.
November 13, 2013
Hi every one your comments are great..!i m scheduled to upper eyelid and a mini lift with neck for the 23 of November. My concern is mostly the time of the healing as i m about to traveled and stay in Africa around the 20 of December . My doctor assure me that i will be fine but reading all the comment and post here i m beginning to worried.. some advice?
November 13, 2013
That is almost four weeks so you will probably be fine to travel. The upper eyelid work I had done a while back left some noticeable black-and-blue for about 3 weeks. I'm 3 weeks out from the neck/face lift and there is little visible evidence of the work done.
November 13, 2013
Thank you !!! feel little nervous but i m sure it s worth it!! i will post photos too
November 14, 2013
Hello!!! I really love to do the Macslift procedure. I find it offers a very natural and refreshed look and the downtime is minimal. I always send my patient important pre and post surgery instructions that help the patient prepare and also to understand the healing process. If you are healthy and do not take any medication or have health issues and not do smoke, the inital recovery should be 2 weeks. The length of recovery varies from person to person. It really depends on how they are taking care of themselves. I believe that the patients that follow my instructions have the best results and quickest recovery
January 2, 2014
Hi, I had upper eyelids and mid face/neck lift done 4 weeks ago and still have 1 black eye and a lot of swelling in my upper cheeks but mainly in my neck. Its tight and some days very uncomfortable, but I know it's just swelling and will go down in time. It's way too soon in your healing to be worried about revisions etc. I would not encourage running while you still have swelling. I will hopefully be returning to slow exercise at around the 6 week mark. I'll be expecting to see my returns to show at around 3 months. Best of luck.
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