I have wanted a facelift for a couple of years now. It has been really difficult growing older and looking older for me. People have started asking me if I feel okay and am I tired on a regular basis at work. I have been glued to real self for several months studying all the providers and the reviews the before and after pictures. I settled on Dr Whitaker because she has done face surgeries for over 25 years and it is her specialty. You can hide or minimize quite a few plastic surgeries but if it is your face, there is really nowhere that you can go. I am excited about my upcoming surgery and just two days! I hope that I just look like a younger version of myself as that is what I'm going for. I have provided a lot of before pictures hoping that you can see what she's really working with. I've had three pre-op visits and in one of them she treated areas to dissolve my fillers. However the Botox on my forehead and between my eyebrows is still apparent. Please let me know if you have any questions :-)
Updated on 31 May 2023:
I'm in the parking lot, awaiting the center opening. I'm supposed to be here at 7am, but arrived about 625 !! I'm excited, but also thirsty and sleepy!!i have all my supplies ready back at home: frozen peas, towels for drainage, all my meds, eye lubricant, mederma, detailed instructions for aftercare- the photo of my supplies was too large to add, but I will try again later to show you all!More to come later!!
Updated on 2 Jun 2023:
I have felt pretty lousy and not been able to get on here. The first night the rap was so tight on my throat and is the night went on I kept swelling and I was afraid to go to sleep. I became really anxious because I was having trouble breathing. It was not an anaphylactic reaction though it was just my rap being too tight in my swelling continuing to increase. I spoke with my doctor and she said that I could loosen the wrap. Thank God I cried I was so relieved. It's very scary thinking you might not be able to breathe. The swelling has increased each day but I'm hoping it hit its peak today and is slightly less at this point. Surgery was finished by 1:00 p.m. Wednesday and it is now 4:00 p.m. Friday. I hope that the photos are helpful and I will write much more when I don't feel so terrible.
Updated on 6 Jun 2023:
Laying around, just icing and watching tv has been difficult for me. I'm almost out of pain meds and will just use Tylenol soon. My neck feels tight and i look like an alien. I know that this will pass, but it is truly difficult psychologically!! Praying for quicker recovery!
Updated on 6 Jun 2023:
Post op day 4.i can't see any improvement but family members who come by to see me say that the swelling has improved. Neck is tight and it hurts to eat, although I'm making up for lost time!! Showering us the highlight of my day! I really hate the compression wrap. And since I have to rub Aquaphor on my face two times a day the wrap has gotten pretty greasy. I have washed it out and hung it on the porch to dry a couple of times. I've even ordered an extra one off Amazon that I'm expecting by Wednesday :-)
Updated on 6 Jun 2023:
Here are some photos of my incisions. You can also see the bruising that has mostly progressed from red to yellow, and even migrated down my neck. Still have a lot of cheek swelling, perhaps from the fat transfer??
Updated on 7 Jun 2023:
My surgery was a week ago today. I ordered a new compression device off Amazon because the one from the office was getting greasy from all the Aquaphor and even though I washed it it just felt disgusting and stretched out. I have been sticking a little ice discs in it to do some of my icing which I continue to do because I'm still quite swollen particularly in the cheek area. I love this new one from Amazon! I tried to send a picture but it was too large it iscalled V line bandage. I tied on a floppy hat and took a mile walk this morning. I really missed my exercise and going to the gym. My neck still feels tight and my ears are swollen and just feel really vulnerable even though they're mostly numb. My cheeks continue to look extra puffy but that may be partially from the fat transfer. My follow-up appointment will be Monday the 12th and I am looking forward to hearing what my doctor has to say. This surgery is not for a lightweight type of person. I see quite a few that say they had no pain whatsoever but perhaps I have had more surgeries all at one time compared to those persons. It is psychologically difficult as well. I think it will be worth it in the end :-) I sure hope so. I have already given the high star rating because you're kind of prompted to do that even before you have fully seen the results you do not have a choice. If you are still interested in a facelift, go for it :-)
Updated on 14 Jun 2023:
I returned to the office 2 days ago and had stitches removed from my chin, under my nose, my eyelids, and the stitches in my hairline behind my ears as well as in my hairline in front of my ears. My fat transfer is still puffy so I kind of look like a woodland creature. I am feeling better everyday though!
Updated on 27 Jun 2023:
It has been 26 days. Here's my cut to fit silicone scar away tape in trying tonight!! I'm still applying biocorneum, mederma, and aquafor to incision sites (I rotate which I use). Still wearing compression device to bed at night. I'll post better pics soon!! My face changes each week!!
Updated on 1 Jul 2023:
It has been a month since I had my facelift. I am not going to be wearing my compression device anymore. Feeling better everyday and slowly seeing changes. The fat transfer still has my cheeks looking kind of puffy and I still have a ways to go for this scars to heal beneath my nose from my lip lift. I still have stitches on my tragus behind my ears that have not been removed or absorbed. But I continue to see Improvement :-) I will update again after my follow-up appointment with my doctor on the 11th. Talk to you later lovely ladies :-)
Updated on 4 Sep 2023:
I am sorry that I have not been posting updates. I found out that I have stage 4 metastatic melanoma from my brain down past my knees. I have been dealing with treatment and doing all the things to help prolong my life. My facelift has done well I'm happy with it I have just not thought much about it now that my health is in question. I'm happy with everything except the scar at the base of my nose. I will see my surgeon Friday and I will ask her what we can do to help that. I hope that you all are well :-)