I recently traveled from Nashville TN to have Dr. Graham doing my cosmetic work. I was so impressed by the care I got before, during, and after my surgery. Dr. Graham did a fantastic job on my face lift with fat injections. Also the fat injections in my hands have definitely made my hands look much younger. My plastic surgery spouse is very impressed with the results of my surgery. As I nurse practitioner, I appreciated the preparation the Sarasota plastic surgery nurses gave me for my procedure and their competence during the case.
Dr Graham’s reputation as a superb surgeon is well deserved. From the first consultation to the final post-op check-up, Dr Graham’s surgical skills, his dedication to his patients and the care and attention he and his staff give to each individual is nothing short of remarkable. I am very pleased with with the results of my neck and lower facelift. I feel like I was given 25 years back. And what is especially nice, is that I look like myself, only better.
I view the choice for a plastic surgeon in 3 areas. Reputation; manner; results. I was walking in with a face that had been treated with Botox in such a way that, to me, I looked grotesque. I could smile on one side and the other side of my mouth was paralyzed by the fact that Botox took effect on one side but not on the other. The Botox had been administered by another doctor in another state. To say I was nervous about doing anything else at all was an understatement. I remember Dr. Graham saying to me, when I was considering a lower-priced dermatologist to address my face, "Think about it; it's your face." Good words. I did think about it and I did proceed with Dr. Graham. I had known numerous people who had seen him for successful surgeries, and many of them could afford to go to any doctor in the world. They chose Dr. Graham. He took the time with me, explained, reassured and scheduled me in a time frame for which I could be in town. He was very well recommended and has an unusually admirable reputation. That is what initially got me there. His manner was kind and sweet yet also had a touch of confidence and conviction that he could help me that sort of made me pay special attention to the level of expertise and care I was about to receive. That brings us to the results. No one but a few close friends know I had this surgery. Yet everyone says how great I look, that life must be treating me well, that I seem so happy and content these days. Dr. Graham created the perfect look with a gentle touch, with not too much but very much enough for significant improvement and for rolling back the clock. I am 64. Most people guess that I'm in my early to mid-40's. Maybe that's just being polite but the fact that these compliments come from such diverse individuals and on the heels of this surgery must be more than coincidental. I must compliment, too, the staff at Sarasota Plastic Surgery Center. Helpful, polite, kind, caring, reassuring....they are extremely supportive and no question seems to mundane or silly for them to answer. They are prompt at returning a phone call and bend over backwards to make scheduling work. The office feels good. It is comfortable, tasteful, clean, nurturing, peaceful. I would go to Dr. Braun Graham again. Plastic surgery is not inexpensive but we don't get another body to live in. Not only would I recommend his work to others, I would return to his care myself knowing I was in the best hands possible. I say this, too, because I have had previous procedures and while I have interacted with some very good physicians and surgeons, I believe Dr. Graham is at the very top of the list in the qualities I value.
After seeing the amazing results of (3) women I've known since 2003, I knew that Dr. Graham was the best plastic surgeon in Sarasota. I've been a patient of his since 2005. During this time, I've had a liposuction procedure, various "fill-ins" and most recently a "full necklift" which looks more like a mini-facelift. Not only does Dr. Graham have an artistic eye, but he's also an expert at producing a "natural look." He doesn't pull the skin too tight, and it's hard to tell that surgery has been performed. He has a fantastic reputation and deservedly so. Additionally, he's a very nice person who truly cares about his patients and the outcome of their procedures.
I have been saving for years to do a facelift. I am ready - Weight loss of nearly 70 lbs. contributed to sagging and loose skin on face. Also wrinkles. Will have fat injections around eyes and cheek and mouth, neck and face lift. I am very comfortable with the doc and facilities of where I am going. Updated on 13 Jun 2014: Only 10 days before it is my turn. Had a check up with my opthomologist to tell him what I had planned. He was supportive and willing to help try and get the upper eyelid skin excision covered under my insurance. Would go toward out of network deductible since the PS is not a provider and I am not on medicare. I have read and read all instructions - called to make sure I had purchased the correct items; Aquafor for babies which was fine (had picked it up before) and antibacterial body wash. The nurse told me I was over-thinking things. Well, nervous Nelly here wants to follow the instructions to a "T" so I am willing to check and recheck. Cheers all. Updated on 22 Jun 2014: O.K. I am ready. I will attempt to post one "before" photo and a little video clip I did a couple of weeks ago. I think I will take one of my few precious xainex the doc gave me for anxiety. Not really too nervous yet, just excited and ready to move on. This board has been very helpful, if not a bit encompassing, never the less worth my time since the is about all I have been able to think abut the last few days. PS Can not seem to get the video to load - incompatible with Realself but I will keep working on it. Updated on 22 Jun 2014: Updated on 24 Jun 2014: Make it through just fine. Minimal discomfort really. Here is a photo of first day. I go back to doc and have head dress (sounds better than bandages) removed. I look worse than I feel. Cheers, all. Updated on 26 Jun 2014: This is Thursday. Had surgery on Monday. Making progress. Will go tomorrow and get stitches out of eyelids and on Monday the remainder of stitches and staples. I have been faithful with following instructions, and have been sleeping in recliner. Walking around the house more and trying to move. My eyes are the most sensitive at this point - well, maybe my neck too. Oh, well, still all of my face is sensitive now that I think of it. LOL Question. Did I see something about massaging the tissue around the cheeks and jaws or is that my imagination? Updated on 27 Jun 2014: Day 4, had eyelid stitches removed. Found a way to go 'incognito" thanks to this message board and seeing someone else use a scarf and big sunglasses. Doc is very happy with my progress. All is well he says. I have had no problems. Had anti-nausea meds, antibiotics during surgery and no issues. Only tiny problem is constipation. And, I have only had one or two pain pills so I don't think it is that. Oh, and some itching with the eyelids especially. After today, I start using products he gave me - a bar moisturizing soap, moisturizing cream and sun screen. I am grateful and feel very blessed. Dr. Graham is the best! Updated on 27 Jun 2014: Here are a couple of photos of my sutures. Grace had inquired about them. Yes, PS's are all a bit different. I am well pleased with my doc. I go back on Monday and have all sutures removed. I did have incisions along the nape of my neck. Neck was a tad stiff but not bad enough to prevent me from being able to drive. In front of the ear, the incisions went up to my lower temple. Of course, no pain pills in order to drive. I was not up for going anywhere else. Just there and straight home. Am doing gentle walking around the house. Have done about 3500 steps today. This was one of the easiest surgeries I have experienced and believe me, over the years, I have had some that I thought I had bit off more than I could chew. One was a gall bladder removal that was supposed to be a piece of cake - NOT! It was awful. Bilateral knee surgeries - NOT. So I was about due for a gentler time. LOL Updated on 30 Jun 2014: Had remainder of stitches and staples removed this morning. Doc is pleased with my progress. He says I will have a good result. I can do most things now, and can begin sleeping in bed but still elevated. My honey once home from a trip slept with me in our double recliner for two nights. LOL I feel good, neck still pretty tight and I feel like I still look like the dickens but getting to do my hair and have a little make-up on will make a world of difference. Still swollen too. Overall, I am pleased with the way things are progressing. I can see a huge improvement in my neck with the "waddle" skin gone! Cheers all. More in a few days. Updated on 30 Jun 2014: Updated on 30 Jun 2014: One more set of photos that are lighter views. Bruises and swelling are better. Updated on 4 Jul 2014: Today is day 11. Healing continues but I am having some discomfort with my neck. I have "horizontal bands" that are swollen and uncomfortable. Perhaps someone could tell me if this is pretty typical. Will wait a few more days for updated photos, but bruises continue to lighten. Only issue is my neck.... But in the meantime, here are some thoughts for anyone who may find this useful. I am posting an overview of what I had done and costs. I was very pleased with my price of $12,300 for what I had done. I had been saving for probably 10 years here and there for the "just in case I really do decide to do it" scenario. I had not one iota of nausea or problem of any kind. The twilight sleep was fine for what was done. My doc has been great and I am pleased at this point. I do look "different" but am attributing it to swelling and just things rearranging themselves. Here is what was included in the pricing. I had the face lift which included the neck ($8,700), fat injections (taken from my hip) under the eyes in the tear trough, chin area, cheeks, upper skin incision of eyelids, FX laser on upper and lower lips, shave and cauterized Bert-Hoag-Dubee syndrome larger bumps on nose and cheek areas, and botox. This included the anesthesia fees, operating room, products (not make-up or medical grade Arnica for bruising and swelling), consultation and all follow-up. And, he guaranteed his work, meaning if there were a problem he would fix it. This group is the premier group in Sarasota. Actually there are several really good groups, but I kept hearing the names of this one more often and both my family doc and dermatologist commended their work. Why did I do it? I don't part with my limited dollars easily! I feel doing it will help me to stay on course with my weight management. Several years ago I had a lap band which helped the first couple of years, but then I gained most of the weight back. At my highest, I weighed 223 pounds! When I started the loss in 2012 I think it was, I was 203 again. At 5'1" that was pretty high. Never had a weight issue until I quit smoking and started menopause about the same time. Aarrggg. I just can not go back there ever. After all this, I believe my facework will help me to remain vigil about my food choices. I hated looking in the mirror and seeing especially, the jowls and turkey waddle neck. I work out and try hard to take care of myself and my sagging skin did not match my "herculean" efforts at getting healthy. So, right or wrong, good or bad, that is why I made the choice. In the end, I hope to still look like "me" just a revised and refreshed version of me. Happy July 4th all! Updated on 8 Jul 2014: Here are a few photos front and side. Progress. I have not had any problems. Just some discomfort in my neck area mostly. Make up is doing a pretty good job covering bruising. Still have some swelling in neck and face. Overall, I am pleased - I think. :-) Updated on 9 Jul 2014: Have some make up on. Bruises barely show. Mostly under eyes still. Updated on 15 Jul 2014: Doc released me today to return to all normal activities. I go see him once more in one month. He told be to be more "aggressive" in massaging the dis-solvable stitches behind my ears when I shampooed my hair. Ouch, but I wish they would leave. They are sore and itchy. I am afraid to try putting in my ear rings. Neck still sore, but he says that is normal. Told me to massage it and my entire face with moisturizer. Said the dryness in face I am experiencing would subside in another week or 10 days. My face sucks the moisturizer right up and sunscreen or anything else. I am thinking my neck has a tad of droopy skin but maybe he got it as tight as he felt he could. He seemed to think it was fine.... Onward and upward. No one has asked if I had anything done, nor has anyone I knew noticed the bruises I had. Yipee. I may not tell anyone I have had work done. I did see one friend who told another that I, "looked good." So I guess something looks a bit different. I would hate to think I don't look some better. LOL Updated on 5 Aug 2014: This was taken on a cruise. A little girl on the ship told me I did not look old enough to be a grandmother. Hee hee. Made my day!!! Still a tad of tightness around neck but feeling good otherwise. Updated on 23 Aug 2014: Here are a few close up photos of my changes. I am happy overall. Still some numbness and my neck feels a bit lumpy. Would I do it again? I believe so, especially if this "holds" and defies time or at least slows it down. LOL Most people whom I had not seen in a while think I have lost weight. One person told me I was "glowing." (Of course I was not going to fess up to anything....) and the glow... well, I think it is my moisturizer. Hee, hee. Updated on 26 Sep 2014: I have my final doc visit next week. Overall, I am very pleased. My neck is still somewhat sensitive and tender as are areas along the side of my face. I am pleased with my result. However, I do question if I have a bit of looseness in my neck. Do I look 10 years younger? Ummm.. don't know for sure, as it is difficult to be objective. Once I see the doc's before photos, I may be able to judge a bit better. I do definitely look much improved in my opinion, and I hope I look 10 years younger at least. I am thankful for this group and Realself and the wonderful support provided by others. We are all on this journey together. Bless each of you who may read this and enjoy life and each day to its fullest. Tried to upload a video but it would not load. This is the second option to share information. Mary Wms, Sarasota, FL Updated on 26 Sep 2014:
Fat grafting is considered a surgical procedure. The fat is harvested by gentle liposuction using a small instrument introduced through a puncture in the skin. The fat is processed and immediately re-injected into the face in micro-droplets that will survive without moving out of position.Scientific studies demonstrate that approximately 70% of the fat cells that are injected survive. The 30% of cells that don’t survive gradually disappear over the first three months. The remaining fat cells survive for the lifetime of the patient.
Facial aging is a combination of stretching and sagging of the facial tissues as well as loss of the youthful fat volume in the face. Surgically moving lax facial skin uphill without addressing the facial volume loss may create surgical results that appear pulled and unnatural. Adding fat to volume depleted areas of the face during surgery restores the volume loss and results in a more refreshed, natural appearance.Most middle aged patients undergoing facelift surgery have some extra deposits of fat in the lower abdomen or hip areas that are useful sites to obtain fat for re-injection. The fat is harvested by gentle liposuction using a small instrument introduced through a puncture in the skin. The fat is processed and immediately re-injected into the face in micro-droplets that will survive without moving out of position.Clinical observations have shown that the facial skin overlying the fat injection sites can slowly improve in appearance, texture and sometimes pore size. This secondary benefit is thought to be due to the presence of adult stem cells that reside with the fat that is injected. More lab studies are ongoing to prove this theory.
