I have been wanting to write this since I got my lower face/neck lift but I was waiting for my after pictures to be taken so I can stitch the before and after pictures together. However, I want to get it posted so I’m using at-home pictures. I was originally scheduled November 4th to have the procedure done in the doctor’s office. I was prepped and drugged and ready to go. However, my blood pressure was high (it’s usually normal) and it wouldn’t go down. So the procedure was postponed. It was rescheduled November 19th at the surgery center under twilight anesthesia so my blood pressure could be monitored and controlled. My PS was so nice to squeeze me in his schedule – he knew I was disappointed. He didn’t charge me for the five hours set aside for the in-office procedure that never happened. Surgery went well. I came out of anesthesia quickly. I felt pretty good. I went home and really didn’t have pain, just a nagging headache that never really subsided even with Tylenol. Post-Op Day 1 – Appointment was on a Saturday and the doctor was by himself in the office. A hematoma was suspected on the side of my neck. The doctor offered to drain it but I didn’t want touched so I declined. My ears feel like they are being pinched. Not sure if the garment is doing it or the stitches behind my ear. Nothing else to report, dressing was changed. Post-Op Day 3 – Appointment went well. Suspected hematoma/swelling went down a little. We decided to just keep an eye on it. My drains were removed. I screamed when the first one was removed. It felt like a burning hot prod was being dragged across my neck. I did not feel the other drain being removed. I was told to wear my garment for another couple days. My written instructions indicated to shower and wash my hair daily (yes, please). I usually don’t wash my hair daily but I do shower every day. I’m still swollen in my face, I look like I have chipmunk cheeks. Post-Op Day 6 – Drove for the first time. No issues. Post-Op Day 7 – Appointment was scheduled the day after Thanksgiving. No one was in the office except the PS – he’s so dedicated. Some of my stitches were removed. I believe they were called “runner” stitches. I don’t have to wear my garment anymore. I still have a nagging headache. I still look like I have chipmunk cheeks. Post-Op Day 12 – This appointment was for the remaining of my stitches to be removed. I think these were called “tension” stitches. I wanted to see the stitches on the gauze, they looked like insect legs. Suspected hematoma/swelling went down a little more. The PS suggested I massage a small swollen pouch under my chin and the swelling on the side of my neck. My next appointment is scheduled over a month away. I realized later in the evening that my headache was gone – I am so thrilled! Post-Op Day 13 – I am so happy that my headache is gone. Apparently the stress of the stitches on my scalp was causing the headache. I gently massaged my neck and chin in the shower and with lotion. It is a little painful but I want optimal results so I’m going to continue. My neck feels like I’m wearing a wool scarf. It is not too bothersome and actually don’t realize the sensation if I’m kept busy. The skin on the top and side of my head is a little sensitive to touch. My cheek swelling is down. I have noticed that my glands are very sensitive to taste. When I eat anything, my glands hurt and flavor explodes in my mouth. This happens after my first bite of food, then my glands calm down. Post-Op Day 21 – I’m continuing to message my neck and under-chin. I still have a pouch. I hope it’s still swelling. If not, I can live with it. I'll be sharing my doctor-taken before and after photos when they're taken. Updated on 21 Dec 2021: 31 Days Post Op - I continue to wear my garment at night to work on a little swelling under my chin. The photos make my face look swollen but it's the garment smooshing my face. The material is too wide under my chin and digs in my skin so I fold a third of it over which provides a tighter and stiffer support. Plus the "contraption" helps me sleep better. I'll be giving it up in a week or two; once my grandfurbaby babysitting duties are over and I have a clean bed with no sleep interruptions! My taste glands aren't so sensitive anymore, but still are. I still massage the area around my chin and neck and it isn't painful like before. That routine will end soon. I'm irritated by fabrics that gently touch my neck, like the collar of my coat or my sheets brushing up against my neck. I'm still numb in from of my ear lobes. Right now I would say I'm 90%. Updated on 13 Nov 2022: After reviewing my account, it does not appear that I shared my before and after pictures taken at the doctor's office. I was pleased for awhile but my skin is looking wrinkly under my skin. I look ok straight on and side profile. But, I think I'll be getting another lower face/neck lift within five years with a PS that specializes on the face only. The PS that performed this surgery closed up shop anyway. He did make a post-op comment once that left me curious of how many of these procedures he actually did. I'm still slightly numb in my lower cheek area but it's tolerable.
I’ll be posting before and after pictures at a later date. I am 58 years old and 5’ 2”. Throughout the last 20 years my weight ranged 118 to 125 lbs. My weight started to slowly creep up in 2018 and I wasted several thousand dollars on CoolSculpting. November 2019 I smoked my last cigarette (thanks to Chantix). My weight continued to increase. In December I was 136 lbs. I was going to the gym religiously for at least 2 hours, 4-5 times a week and was seriously watching what I was eating. My weight kept increasing to 140 lbs. Blood test results showed hypothyroidism. I finally got my thyroid levels under control. Now I’m ready to get my body back. Days and Time Before: I was not extremely excited but wasn’t scared at all. Got teary-eyed seconds before the happy juice and that was it. Day Of: My mouth was dry all day, like I slept with my mouth open all night and tons of water didn’t help. My throat was scratchy and sore, I struggled to swallow, hard to burp, pain level 2.5/10, 65 and 150 cc drainage. The skin removed weighed 732 grams (about 1.6 pounds) and liposuction took out about 1.75-2 pounds of fat. Day 1: Pain level 4/10. Throat is back to normal. Cleaned the drain areas and it didn’t need it. I felt faint while doing it. 58 and 63 cc drainage. Day 2: pain level 4/10 in the morning before taking pain med but still taking Oxy. Cleaning the drain sites are tough, I get cold then hot and feel faint. 45 and 45 cc drainage. Day 3: Sitting up is much easier. I still walk hunched over. Pain level is 3/10. 45 and 45 cc drainage. Day 4: I can sit up with much less pain. It still hurts when I walk and I tire out very fast. Pain level is 3/10. 70 and 35 cc drainage. I’m hoping but don’t think drains will be removed on day 7. Day 5: 3:00 in the morning I was resting comfortably on my borrowed electric fully-reclined chair contemplating going to the restroom. The electric went out. My text messages indicated that power would be restored by 10:00 AM. I carefully crawled off the chair which was surprisingly easy and made it to the restroom. I was excited that I would have no choice but to sleep in my bed. My bf stayed over and was sleeping in my bed. He moved over and I was on my side of the bed with 3” to the edge but he still elbowed me during the night. Ouch! The power had been restored and I went back to my recliner. Why do my caretakers get up at dawn? They’re quiet but I still hear them in my small house. I sneezed today. I tried to stop it but I couldn’t. I really hurt for about 15 minutes afterwards. I had two small bm’s today. Hope that counts. 20 and 50 cc drainage. Day 6: Pain level 2/10. I’m no longer taking Percocet, just Tylenol twice a day. I feel good today. I even leaned over the tub and washed my hair by myself. I do get tired though. I’m just not sure I can walk the long corridors and wait for the slow elevator at my doctors office tomorrow. I’d like to get the drains out tomorrow but my guess is only one will come out. I still walk a little hunched over, need to remember to keep my shoulders back. When I’m laying down I feel like there is a 20-pound football laying on my belly. When standing, it feels like I’m sucking in my stomach in, but I’m not. 15 and 40 cc drainage. Updated on 21 Jan 2021: I'll be updating my progress weekly but I just wanted to share this first comparison photo. There will be many more once I get to try on clothes in a few weeks. I feel small today, which is good. Recovery is going great! Updated on 25 Jan 2021: Day 7: Pain level 2/10. I feel good today. Walking a little hunched over occasionally. I didn’t really want to weigh myself since the doctor said I’d probably weigh more, but I did. I was 136 lbs, down 3.5 pounds! I’m so hung up on the number on the scale and I know I shouldn’t be. Today was my first follow up appointment. The doctor seemed please with my progress. I am too. I look like I still have a slight belly bulge which I hope is just swelling and fluid retention. My compression garment was removed, it felt great (but it also felt good to get it back on). My bellybutton looks great. Stupid me never thought of taking a picture. One drain was removed! It burned a little but it feels better that it’s out. I thought I’d feel the tube moving inside but didn’t. Some of the dressing was removed as well (why isn’t there tape invented that doesn’t leave a residue that I have to rub my skin raw with alcohol pads to get it removed?). My stomach has a lot of different feelings; tingly, numb and sensitive. When asked, my PS said it takes a very long time for the feeling to get back to normal, if at all, but he said that probably feeling won’t come back below my bellybutton. Why didn’t I know that? I’m in my home alone and scared to take my garment off for fear that I won’t be able to get it back on. So I won’t be posting pictures yet. But I have my “before” pictures ready to photojoin with “after” pictures when I get them. The measurement from my last drain today was 45 cc. It has to be <30 cc for two days in a row to be removed. Day 8: Pain level 1/10. I should clarify that it is not pain but rather discomfort which will change/increase throughout the day. I weighed 135.5 today. The measurement from my drain today was 35 cc. Shooting for that magical daily number of <30 cc. Day 9: I will not be reporting pain level anymore since I’m no longer experiencing pain. I still feel tightness and I get a pinch in my back occasionally due to not standing straight. I still have a lot of tingly and numb feelings. I weighed 134.5 today. The measurement from my drain today was 25 cc. Two consecutive days of <30 cc means I get my last drain out and then I can take a real shower! Fingers crossed. Day 10: Each day I feel better than the last. I’m thankful to be this far in recovery and I really like what I’m seeing; bellybutton looks good, from what I can tell the scar looks good, the drain holes are dry and just overall I look petite again. Today was the first I drove. Seatbelt didn’t bother me but the bumpy roads were felt in my stomach, tolerable though. I did about 30 minutes grocery shopping. I’m glad I had a cart to hold onto. I was nervous about lifting my mom’s walker in and out of the car. She used her late husband’s lightweight walker and was a breeze. I weighed 134 today. The measurement from my drain today was xx cc. This is my second consecutive day of <30 cc which means I can get my last drain out, maybe tomorrow. Day 11: Today I got my last drain out, woohoo! I immediately felt better and relief overall. I didn’t want to know how long the drain tube was until after she was done. She showed it to me. OMG it seriously looked a foot long and she said my first one was longer! It was less pinching than the first drain removal. I did another 30 minutes of grocery shopping again. I’m a little uncomfortable and tired so I don’t think I’m able to fully enjoy the freedom of being drainless. I weighed 134.5 today (1/2 pound increase) so I maybe plateaued. That’s ok, I know weight loss wasn’t going to be huge and I’m thankful for the loss of 5 pounds but I really like my transformation and I think it will even get better. Day 12: Today my boyfriend helped me take a real shower. I live alone and was nervous that I would run into problems or not be able to get my compression garment back on. I did it without his help and all went well. My belly looked puffy. I hope it’s just swelling. The shower felt amazing! I weighed 135 today (another 1/2 pound increase). Day 13: I woke up feeling a lot of discomfort, like my binder was smooshing my organs and ribs. I got up several times to move around and adjust the garment. Nothing obvious relieved the discomfort, it just slowly went away. I weighed 134 today. Yesterday as a water pill day which is why my weight is down a pound. I need to stop obsessing over the scale! Day 14: Again today I woke up with some discomfort, not like yesterday. I had a follow up appointment today. The tape on my incision was replaced. My incision looked good. Scabs are good I guess. I hope to not gross out anyone but I noticed my lady parts changed. The natural discharge in my underwear is in a different area than before TT. I have tender skin at my underwear line in front of my legs. It’s burny and sometimes itchy. I don’t know if it’s stretched skin or rubbing from my garment and/or underwear. I mentioned it today to my PS but he really didn’t comment. After my shower today I put on some powder and that seemed to help some. I weighed 134.5 today. Updated on 27 Jan 2021: Day 16: I am washing my binder and thought I would take some pictures before putting it back on (which is getting easier). I know I said I wasn't going to report weight anymore but to use up some characters, I weighed 134 today (5.5 lbs. loss) and that's about where I'll stay for now, until the weather warms up and I get out in the yard. Updated on 7 Feb 2021: I'm almost 4 weeks post op. I still have tingling, numbness and tight feeling. I even hate to touch my stomach because of the weird feeling. Anyone know if it goes away? My PS said months, possibly up to a year and probably won't have feeling under my bellybutton ever. I'm still wearing my compression garment. I was told it would be for a month. I see my PS tomorrow which will be 4 weeks. Maybe I'll be able to cut back and wear it part time. It is a relief to take it off to shower. I'll lay on my bed afterward and enjoy the freedom. But, it also feels relieving when I put it back on. I know it sounds silly. I'm maintaining my weight. I'll post pictures next time. Updated on 16 Feb 2021: I decided to try on some jeans today. I thought my clothes would be big but they really aren’t. Maybe the way I wore clothes before is different? I don’t know. But I really like wearing a belt which I think makes you look thinner. Clingy tops will be fun this summer. Right now though I really don’t like loose clothing touching my belly because of the sensitivity. But I can tell it’s getting more tolerable. Showers help a lot. Updated on 25 Feb 2021: Six weeks post op. I still have tingling and numbness but It’s tolerable. My scar is looking awesome. Started silicone gel about 2 weeks ago but it looked great before I started. I still have a problem area dead center that I religiously keep covered with a pad with Vaseline on it. I can’t tell if the “hole” is shrinking. IMO I think it should be left alone but I will continue to follow doctor’s instructions. Updated on 21 Mar 2021: I went to Florida to visit a friend. I felt comfortable in my new body and was able to wear a bikini. I still have sensitivity on my skin and the wind makes it hurt. It is even sensitive to shirts that I wear. My doctor prescribed Gabapentin to relieve nerve pain. It helps some. I just got to be patient and wait for it to heal. When I left for Florida I weighed 135. The evening I came home I weighted 140! The next morning I weighted 138 (lost 2 pounds over night). I'm usually like that when I travel; not necessarily overeating or drinking. I think from flying and change of temperature and/or atmosphere. Idk. Updated on 13 Aug 2021: I went to my PS for a consultation for a neck lift, scheduled for November 4th! I finally got my tummy tuck before and after pictures while I was there. I took a thumb drive with me. I put each pose together on one photo. Obviously, the before side is on the left taken in January, surgery was January 12, 2021 and the after picture, on the right, was 3 moths post op, April 12, 2021. What an improvement and I have NO regrets. My tingling sensation is improving everyday that I don't realize it's there anymore. I'm not sure if the vitamin B12 that I'm taking has anything to do with it or if I'm healing naturally. The supplement does say that it helps promote nerve-ending healing. My stomach is still firm and hard - looks like I work out. I had nothing done to my back but it does look like it improved the fat in the back.
I have always been busty and in college gained some weight. A few years ago, I lost over 30 pounds, went down 2 pants sizes but my bra size never changed. I wanted to exercise more and get healthier and my bust was getting in the way. I've been seeing a chiropractor for many years, had discussion with my ob/gyn and general doctor. Finally it was my nutritionist that convinced me. I have Highmark Blue Shield Insurance and was approved for medical necessity on the first try! I was thrilled - no arguing with the insurance. Updated on 2 Dec 2015: Recovery has not been bad at all. Attached is a post-surgery photo. I still have tape over the incisions, doctor says that will help with scarring.
I have been in for two consultations and will have my surgery in two sessions with the first one being March 4th and the 2nd March 11th. I am doing a combo surgery on the 4th. I will be having labiaplasty with fat grafting to the labia majora and also smart lipo to my upper and lower abdomen. On the 11th we will follow up with smart lipo to my flanks. I am very excited I'm cannot believe that is in just a week from tomorrow. I have taken a half day on the 4th and will go in for my surgery then. I have off the following week completely and I will return to work March 14th. So I have a good 10 days to recover from the labiaplasty before I have to go to work. I've heard mixed reviews on the recovery of SmartLipo so at this point I'm not sure what to expect. I have a high tolerance for pain, but I don't know. Anyway I'm going to include some photos as horrifying as they may be. I do not have any good photos of my abdomen and flanks, but I will add the ones my doctor took what's the surgery has passed. Updated on 5 Mar 2016: He did the wedge technique and I watched with a mirror. I did like how it looked when he was finished but now it's it's pretty sore and I don't have a mirror to look at it. I'm going to have to get one today. I'm not sure how I feel about the liposuction yet because it looked kind of uneven and my skin looks loose but they were still that fluid inside the numbing fluid and the uneven parts were the incision so they were probably just extra swollen. When I get the energy to go take a shower later I will check everything out and I will keep all you ladies updated. Thanks! Updated on 5 Mar 2016: I just took a shower and it wasn't too bad. I use the shower head sprayer and put it on so it kind of like drizzles not a hard spray in order to wash off any blood. Surprisingly there wasn't much blood at all. I'm definitely uncomfortable but I wouldn't say I'm in pain. Even my abdomen where I had the lipo isn't that bad. I did just take another pain pill but other than that I haven't had one since yesterday right after surgery. I got a peek after the shower and so far I am ecstatic with all my results. I don't have before pictures of my ass so I'm not going to show them to you yet I will wait until I get them from the doctor. However I just took some photos of the nether region and I will share them with you now. Oh and he did a wedge resection with fat grafting to the labia majora and while he was in there he did a small hood reduction at no extra charge which I was very happy about because I was worried about having too much left up there but it looks so good already. I have been icing on and off and I'm trying to relax today. Yesterday I was completely unable to relax because my one and a half year old is a maniac hahahaha. When I look at it with the mirror, it looks better than it looks in these pictures like it looks like there's one part that is like extra but their suits are there and I don't think it's going to look uneven at all. At least I'm hoping not but it's already so weird like when I was washing in the shower it was so bizarre to not have all that extra stuff to wash. I almost felt like I couldn't find everything at first but it's there just so much smaller Updated on 6 Mar 2016: well, today I ran to target and did a little shopping and then we went out to eat. I was screaming inside and couldn't wait to get home and pop a pain pill and throw an ice pack on my little lady. It was definitely the most painful moment so far. I came back here popped a pill and lay down and took a nap. The surgery center gave me these kind of thick maxi pad and I was thinking to myself I can't wait to use a thinner pad, but as it turns out the thicker pad applies kind of a pressure and offers more support. So I'm going to continue with the thicker pads even though I'm not really bleeding anymore. I will try to post a picture later but right now my one and a half year old monster is tormenting me and I can't really take any pics at the moment. Updated on 11 Mar 2016: I had my flanks lipoed today and oh my god....AGONY!! Its a little better after a Percocet.....dr said it looked great but i swelled up really fast. Here is a pic of the lady bits.....feeling much less pain today but that pain may just be drowned out by flank pain. Anyway here's a pic. Updated on 26 Mar 2016: Everything is going great. I feel really lucky as far as my healing and swelling and bruising when compared to many and most of the stories I've read on this site. I had almost no reason at all I only feel swollen for like the first 4 days. I may have residual swelling on the inner lips right now especially due to the fact that not on my stitches have dissolved yet... I just cut part of one off. So in the picture there is a little irritation and lots and lots of coconut oil. Because I'm trying to help these stitches dissolve. When I look at the pictures it doesn't look very nice but when I look at it in person .... it's like [RS bleep] pretty.
