Hello,
Looking forward to my procedure on April 21st..didn't realize when scheduling that I scheduled on my birthday..I guess a rebirth on my birthday ????.
April 9th Pre-op with nurse and Dr. Stanley Jacobs.
If anyone has any info I should ask at my pre-op please let me know..
I'm 48 years old and realizing that there is a shift in my appearance. Even thou it's subtle I look in the mirror and see the changes and I'm at the best age to have the mini lift procedure done and hopefully it will give me significant time 7-8 years of looking good that by the time I'm 57 I'll age gracefully. I look forward to sharing this journey with all of you and please let me know any thoughts or helpful hints to manage my recovery..Thanks!
Updated on 9 Apr 2015:
Today I go in for my Pre-op appointment to go over all the info needed for surgery and recovery. I will be meeting with Dr. Jacobs nurse for the first hour of explanation then with Dr. Jacobs to go over surgery.
Updated on 10 Apr 2015:
Pre-op went very well, a bit overwhelming but very informative..brought a friend with me so there were more ears to listen. Many things to read. Prescriptions to fill. Had a EKG, vitals. Had the elasticity measured in my skin. Met with Dr Jacobs to go over an questions. Surgery will take aproximately 2 hours, under twighlight sedation. The great thing is for one year Dr. Jacobs will monitor my skin, and included in my package I will have 3 mini peels, micro dermabrasion and all skincare line.
I'm getting nervous but know I'll be extremely happy with the outcome. The photo I've included is from their office. You can see the difference in side by side what I currently look like to what I will look like..
Updated on 17 Apr 2015:
Hi all,
Started Arnica and Bromelain today..picking up prescriptions tomorrow..this is beginning to feel real by the day..any last minute details you care to share please do!
Updated on 21 Apr 2015:
Surgery day - arrived at appointment was given a Valium to relax, went over any last minute questions with Dr Jacobs and anesthesiologist. Changed into gown and socks.. Off I went to surgery. My face was covered in a numbing cream prior to laying down. IV put in and off to sleep I went. Woke up with no side effects from anesthesia..sat up just fine, head wrap with ice packs was put on. Walked to recovery room. Listened to nurse for last minute recovery do's and dont's. Put into wheelchair, wheeled out to car and on my way home. Set up bed with a wedge memory foam and pillows under legs and on each side..a little discomfort so far but took a tramadol and definitely takes the edge off. Ice packs changed out every couple hours for swelling. Blotting upper lip for any discharge then apply aquaphor..keeping face very moist! Tightness in face but that's to be expected..I'm told around 2-3am will be my most uncomfortable time the nurse said. So may need Valium and a tramadol if needed. Drinking lots of water, apple juice and squeeze apple sauce (children's squeeze punches) they work great! A little sore throat apparently that's caused by the oxygen flow but will subside in a day. Trying to keep talking to a minimum..I have another appointment tomorrow at 9 am for a bandage change and will get another picture..now just need to rest, rest,rest!!!
Updated on 22 Apr 2015:
Slept pretty well, some swelling and pressure..making sure ice packs applied every couple hours to reduce swelling. Drinking lots of water and apple juice. Went for dressing change. Incisions look good no bleeding not much pain. A little bit of brising but nothing significant. Must continue ice packs till tomorrow. Start medications today - prednisone and chephalaxion for the next 4 days. Continuing aquaphor..dabbing upper lip area that natuarally is weeping then apply sheen of Aquaphor. Overall feeling pretty good. Will try and eat some scrambled eggs for protein and need solid food in belly for meds. Tomorrow will be a shower and bandages off, also aware that there wil be some hair loss to not be alarmed..
Updated on 23 Apr 2015:
Finally able to shower, never felt so good..incisions look good, quite a bit of numbness and a bit if brusing but overall feel ok..peel has started especially my lips, very annoying the way it's peeling on the inside of the lip first. Ear lobs I have probably the most discomfort and side of neck area. Taking meds and drinking lots of fluids..photos today of side views
Updated on 24 Apr 2015:
Feeling pretty good, still lots of swelling, peel is pretty tight. Keeping skin hydrated with aquaphor. Keeping movements to a minimum with talking. Ears are the most sore at this point. Lots of numbness. Incisions look good..have been showering twice a day with cetaphil on incisions and making sure dry after..posting pics of today
Updated on 24 Apr 2015:
Finally seeing some peeling, was beginning to wonder but reading others comments the mouth area is the first to start..here's a pic
Updated on 25 Apr 2015:
Boy I never thought it would begin, but it's happening..beautiful skin underneath, who knew it was hidden under all those freckles! Swelling continues to subside, ear areas still quite tender but tolerable..once the peel is finished that tightness will be gone I feel..here's a pick today of TCA peel
Updated on 27 Apr 2015:
Well most of my old face has peeled off! Beautiful skin underneath! Still swollen and brushing but expected. Neck area is creepy and wrinkling, some peeling but slow going which also is expected. Still feeling some pain in my ear area..I'm finding that if I'm not sitting up I find I get more pain I'm assuming due to swelling. It feels like when you've slept on your ear wrong and wake up with that pain from it being bent over..cleaning behind the ear is quite challenging I have to say..it's hard to get a mirror at the right angle to be able to see back there..plus I can't wear my glasses so it's even harder to see..I ask my husband to check if all clear. :0) Stich removal today, I'm told to take a pain pill before I come, so definitely will. I'm starting to look more like myself, I was getting worried I'd remain like the cat women forever. : ~\ I've not experienced any waves of sadness or depression like some I've heard..I've been pretty upbeat and positive and can't wait till I'm completely healed, which I know takes quite some time..but I'm completely satisfied with what I'm seeing so far..even if your on the fence about doing a mini lift, a TCA peel will show amazing results if your looking for just a fresh rejuvenated look.
Updated on 28 Apr 2015:
These are pictures from my consultantion upon making my decision..all I can say is I really needed this..
Updated on 28 Apr 2015:
7 days post op, still peeling chest and neck area..lip dermabrasion is doing its thing..cheeks swollen and tight but every day I see more and more I love
Updated on 16 May 2015:
Getting better and better by the day..some numbing still in front of ear on both sides..still a bit of discomfort along jawline/cheek area..waiting for the annoying dissolving stitches to dissolve..I'm very satisfied with my outcome..
Updated on 4 Jun 2015:
It's been 6 weeks since my procedure and everything going great, healing quickly..a tad of swelling under chin and cheeks a bit..numbness still on each cheek area but subsiding..Incisions all healed and scars looking good..putting vitamin E oil on every night..every once in awhile a twinge of pain I'm sure nerve related..very pleased with results..had a little breakout on chin area from peel but that's to be expected..using Dr. Jacobs moisturizer and a tinted broad spectrum moisturizer and bare minerals foundation..
Updated on 22 Feb 2016:
Well time has flown, I can't believe it's coming up in April that I had my procedure one year..so far I've been very happy with my progress..everything looks as it should and I'm glad that I had it done when I did..that being said..know one noticed..which is what I wanted..they may have but we're not sure..no scarring that's noticeable. I have one small little scar buildup behind my right lobe but we will address that at my recheck in March, probably just a cortisone injection to make it go down. The TSA peel is holding up well, I am having a couple spots taken care of at my appointment also. Dermabrasion on upper lip seems to have helped the scaring I had from a dog bite when I was younger..I may have the one side done again a little closer to my lip line like the opposite side..the lift feels nice and tight and neck line is great. I'm very happy with my decision and I'd do it all over again if I have to..I will post some pics to more..
Updated on 23 Feb 2016: