After experiencing menopause and weight loss of about 30 lbs in my early 50's , I began to notice sagging skin around the jowl area and neck, deep lines around nose and mouth. My lower eyelid area was drooping....it looked like I had dark circles all the time. Crows feet when I smiled....etc. I thought about having a face lift for about 2-3 years before I actually had the surgery. I wasn't scared or concerned very much about having it done or the results not being positive. I felt confident that my surgeon was skilled, he did my tummy tuck 10 years ago and I've never had any issues. Healing from that surgery went well. It was, by far, more painful than my facelift! Dr. Feldman took the time to answer all my questions and went over the procedure with me step by step. I watched videos before my consultation so I would know what questions to ask and what a "good surgeon" would recommend I have done to get the results I wanted. Dr. Feldman passed all the certification/schooling/training requirements required to perform the surgery. I look so much younger! I'm very pleased with the results! I healed very quickly and had minimal swelling in my neck and face. The only really painful area I experienced, waking up in recovery, was behind my ears where your glasses rest It felt like a burn from a hot curler : They couldn't give me pain meds because I was too nauseated and vomiting, AND it took the whole time 90 min to wake me up! : I was able to get meds after settling down at home and after holding down food. 24 hours later I took the nausea patch off my arm and began to feel better right away. I wished I'd had a gel eye mask ice pack, the round ones they give you don't stay in place. My husband figured out how to attach them to the bandage that was around my head : You will be sleeping on your back for several weeks. Your ears are too sore and tender for putting any pressure on them.
Getting the drains removed 4 days later (had surgery on a Thursday) was by far....T-H-E MOST PAINFUL! Wished I would've known. I would've iced the area and asked for anesthesia!!! JK : It felt like a hot curling iron sitting on your scalp for 2 seconds!! OMG! and the sound it makes when the tube comes out....squishy like spaghetti coming out your head. : > It all looked creepy after the bandages came off, incisions with dried blood, swelling, bruising. My children were afraid I was gonna get an infection and some of my grands were too frightened to look at me. :
Getting the sutures removed around the eyes and front of my ears was next in line for painful post-op procedures. Some areas were still numb so no big deal. The removal of sutures behind my ears was not painful. Thank goodness!
I was able to drive myself to these appointments without any problems :
My lower face felt like, and still does, I have a mud mask that's been left for too long on my face. Overall I'm very happy I had the work done, any pain or inconvenience I experienced post-op was all worth it!
Updated on 15 Jul 2020:
Many of my friends and family said I didn’t need a facelift but, we see still see our flaws and how we’ve aged and who hasn’t stood in front of a mirror while pulling back the skin on your face to make yourself look better and wished you could have surgery to fix it....? Most Attractive people want to stay attractive and will do whatever we can to keep our looks.
Updated on 15 Jul 2020:
Wanted to share these pictures so you know what to expect post op. Some photos are gross looking. Getting to take a shower and wash my hair was sooo nice. Wearing make up again was nice. Still a little uncomfortable sleeping on my side.
Updated on 17 Jul 2020:
My favorite is Derma E scar gel. It dries faster than the lotions or oil based products and doesn’t mess your hair up. Plus it works!!
You will have itching around And on your ears and the other incision areas at times. Scabs will come off, with a little help, some stay on for weeks. No need to rush that process. Massaging your neck helps reduce the swollen tissue near the incision site. My skin is sensitive so using a cream while massaging that area helps. My cheeks are starting to relax and feel sooo tight. Still have numbness in certain areas. It feels weird applying makeup in those areas on my face and eyelids.
Updated on 20 Jul 2020:
Pictures of the incision sites. Pretty scary looking! Headbands and floppy hats do a good job hiding those areas as well as wearing your hair down. The scabs around the ears will start to come off around the two week mark.