Facelift Review, Long over Due! Aliso Viejo, CA

I had a face lift and eye lid surgery in 2008 by Dr. Ernest Robinson of Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery, Aliso Viejo, CA. I heard about him from a friend. I went to see him because I had one eye that was very hooded and slightly angled down. I thought that it resembled the look of a person who had suffered a stroke. My other eye was also hooded but not as bad. This was a condition I had for my entire life and I was extremely self conscious about it. Photographs were always horrible as the one eye looked much smaller that the other one. I rarely looked any person directly face on. I was so self conscious that I was shy, and uncomfortable when meeting new people. Of course my friends and family would say things like "you are the only one who notices it". As I got into my twenties the hooding got worse. People would say "you look so tired". I hated it every time someone said it. Fast forward to age 52. I had a consultation with Dr. Robinson and he really listened to me. I decided to do a full face lift because as I had aged that showed too. Dr. Robinson was so wonderful to me, he is the nicest person you could imagine. I did not get a second opinion because of my friends recommendation and the comfort I felt with Dr. Robinson. I do think second and third opinions are a good idea but I had so much trust with Dr. Robinson. The surgery was done in and outpatient facility very near Saddleback Hospital. I had general anesthesia and the surgery was several hours long. I did not have any problems during my recovery in the surgical center. That night I went to spend the night with a nurse at her home. The next morning the nurse brought me back to Dr. Robinson's office. I went home that night. A long time has passed since 2008 so I can't remember specific details but these are a few things that I do remember because I was uncomfortable and scared when I saw my face without bandages. The first night after surgery I felt some pain but the medication made it bearable. The worst part was horrible constipation. This may have been a side affect of the anesthesia. I had taken a laxative but I recommend an enema. The pain was controlled by medication. It is very important to keep icing the face. I had ice packs but I recommend getting about six bags of frozen peas. The frozen peas are easier to place on your face as they can be flexible to the contours of the face. When I got scared is when I saw my face for the first time. I had bruising but the worse part was the swelling, my face had ballooned up, it felt very tight and my face looked like a big fat pumpkin. This is a normal reaction. I took about 2 1/2 weeks off from work. I suggest taking longer if you can.

Within about a month I had a beautiful face and my eyes were even and open! I was a new person. I had self confidence now that was never there before. I smiled at everyone, I talked to strangers face on. This was a life changing experience for me and I am so happy I had the surgery done and I am so grateful to Dr. Robinson for what he did for me.

I did not know about Real Self 10 years ago. I wish I had written this review a long time ago. I have done it now because 10 years later I still remember how wonderful I felt the first time I said hello to a stranger on the sidewalk with a big smile.

Plastic surgery is a very personal thing and people have procedures done for many reasons and maybe some people are just so vain but that really doesn't matter to me. I recommend to any one who has ever thought about it to go and have a consultation, it's usually free. Explore your options, find out about new procedures. Do it for yourself. How you feel about you matters!

Thank you Dr. Robinson