Natural, Refreshed Results That Truly Match How I Feel Inside
Procedure:Deep Plane Lower Face & Neck MV Lift, Upper & Lower Blepharoplasty, Fat Transfer to Cheeks & Marionette Lines, CO? Laser Resurfacing (Under Eyes) Doctor: Paul Durand, MD Age at Surgery: 51½ I began thinking about facial surgery years before I ever booked a consultation. In my mid-40s, after starting hormone replacement therapy and finally dialing into what my body truly needed, I became leaner, stronger, and more vibrant than I had ever been — yet my face began telling a completely different story. Although my weight change was modest (about 15 pounds), the shift in hormones and fat distribution created noticeable skin laxity in my lower face and neck. When I smiled, my cheeks folded into an accordion of excess skin that aged me dramatically. My under-eye area reflected years of stress that no longer matched how I felt inside. By my early 50s, I felt I had found the sweet spot for surgery — old enough to truly benefit, but early enough that the change could be subtle and natural rather than dramatic. I wanted to look the way I felt: strong, feminine, awake, and beginning again. When Dr. Paul Durand joined the practice where I was already an established patient, I was encouraged by Beatrice to consult with him. From our first conversation, I felt confident in his judgment. He listened carefully, was conservative where it mattered, and demonstrated a deep understanding of facial anatomy, balance, and restraint. I chose a lower face and neck lift along with upper and lower blepharoplasty. I followed Dr. Durand’s incision placement and recovery protocol precisely. In addition, I prepared for surgery the way an athlete prepares for competition — prioritizing protein, eliminating alcohol and sugar, and maintaining an anti-inflammatory lifestyle for months before and after surgery. I also supported healing with pre- and post-operative hyperbaric oxygen therapy and red-light therapy. My recovery was smooth, my incisions healed beautifully, and the care I received was meticulous from start to finish. The result is not that I look “done.” I look like myself again — only rested, refined, and aligned with how I feel inside. Friends say I look refreshed. Strangers can’t place what’s different. And most importantly, I recognize myself in the mirror. Dr. Durand didn’t change my face — he restored it. He gave me a result that matches my vitality, confidence, and readiness for this next chapter of life. I’m deeply grateful for his skill, integrity, and artistry, and I would recommend him without hesitation.
