SF1951

"You just don't know what the year ahead might bring." Truer words were NEVER spoken!!

Thanks, Janet. I agree that Dr. Degado and Colleen are calm, intelligent and caring and want an excellent result for each patient. It's just that my "estimate" for a seven hour procedure is about twice what I expected. I'm having to do a lot more evaluating than I thought I would, since I don't look "that bad." Again, thanks for your kind attention to my questions.

You are a very beautiful woman; thanks for the review. Is the price you posted ($13,000) for the tummy tuck or face lift? And how much did the surgery center add to the total? Thank you!

I´m glad you´ve seen my post and want to go ahead with the treatment. I´m pretty laid-back in my approach to pre and post "operative" care. I had no antivirals or antibiotics before the procedure. I went in mwith a cleansed face and the doctor swabbed my skin with an antibacterial wash before we began. I was given a topical gel anesthetic to dull the zapping sensation but you´re still going to feel it. I left the office, walking and driving, after the procedure with nothing on my face. I bought a treatment kit from the doctor that included just the 3 items I mentioned in my post. I spritzed with the purified water (Evian) whenever my skin felt hot. The water gel could be applied twice a day or more, depending on my level of discomfort. The cream I applied was to be used just twice daily, after washing my face and hands. I did experience itching. My doctor recommended an OTC cortisone cream (like Cortaid) if the itching was too distracting. Almost a year later I still get little itches from time to time. My face started peeling the 3rd day. Just like with sunburn, the skin sloughs off with your washcloth. The emerging skin is bright red and brand new. I felt sort of sad when it started to look more "normal." It´s funny...when I saw the red skin I knew I was starting fresh. Now it´s old hat. I look so much younger than my chronological age. There is not one person who believes I´m 59. I´m going to just start lying about my age and enjoy knowing I can get away with it. My neck is especially "young" looking. That area always gives us girls away but I can honestly say that mine is smooth and unlined. I recommend the hand treatment as well. The results are more subtle and the slsoughing of skin takes longer to happen, but the results over time are great. Good luck! I´m not a bit sorry I did it!

It really does seem like "magic," right? On the 4th day the dry and crusty skin started to slide off with normal (NOT vigorous scrubbing!)washing with lukewarm water and Cetaphil. The freckles and age spots slid off with the other skin. I could not believe it myself. Your skin will be very sensitive to heat/sunlight and will sting a bit while exposed to either for awhile. Sunscreen on everything, even my hands, is part of my daily routine now. The discomfort wasn't really "pain" per se. It was like a torture technique where a constant sensation is applied to the same area over and over again. During the treatment I started to twitch a little from the zinging effect. I think that taking a squeezy ball into the procedure with you would help release some tension. My only residual pain was a sunburn effect. I didn't even take Tylenol after the second day. Nothing more than Tylenol was needed during the procedure, either. I think the neck treatment was the most sensitive, but the hands came in a close second. Since my face was my very top priority I kept thinking happy thoughts about the outcome and that carried me through. It may sound icky (a technical term!)but the smell of the lasered skin was a little off-putting. Be prepared. Eyelid protection is placed over your eyes. The laser can come very close to your lower lashes and the browbone area is completely lasered, but right on top of the eye itself is not treated. I had no blisters, no cold sores, no negative effects. Collagen production has been stimulated and my jawline is firmer. The results should get even better over the next few months and the new skin texture should be evident for several years. I highly recommend the procedure if you are light-skinned like I am. We tend to have the very best results. Thanks for your kind words! SF1951