Refreshed (Facelift, Fat Augmentation, Upper and Lower Eyelids, CO2 Laser) is the Right Word! - Aliso Viejo, CA

I never intended to travel 500 miles to seek out a plastic surgeon, but I had limited time off work and needed to know I’d be presentable for working with clients and coworkers in the shortest time possible. I could have settled for a doctor close to home, but I wanted to work with the person I felt would do the best job for me and give me the most natural-looking results. When I discovered Dr. Miller specializes only in faces and I saw the work he’d done, I was sold.

I had my husband take close-up photos of my face from all sides and sent them to Dr. Miller for his thoughts. I believed I only wanted my lower eyelids (blepharoplasty) done, but when I saw the pictures of myself, I realized my poor face looked like it was melting. I’d just hit my 50s and had endured a years-long bout with stress that had really taken its toll on my face. Dr. Miller’s evaluation revealed I would benefit from a facelift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, fat augmentation and CO2 laser. It was the sagging jawline and turkey neck, as well as the loss of volume in my cheeks that I saw most in my “before” pictures when I examined them with a critical eye.

It was an expensive procedure (I won’t candy-coat it), and there were days in the beginning when I thought I’d made a mistake (“How long is this going to take to heal? I’m up against a vacation deadline!”). But in the end, I am truly happy with the results. I worried SO much about not looking like myself, and when I went back recently for a follow up with before and after pictures, I realized I never had to worry. The changes are so subtle, most people don’t notice. The “refreshed” promise from Dr. Miller is absolutely accurate. Now, I must clarify that I lost about 20 pounds before the surgery and another five pounds or so after. So, what people have noticed most is my weight loss…then they say, “You look 20 years younger!,” or “You look so pretty!” I don’t think they realize what they’re seeing, but I know my secret! No one has pinpointed that it’s my face that has changed.

I would have argued I didn’t need the CO2 laser peel. I was wrong. I didn’t realize how much it would help my breakouts and (undiagnosed) rosacea redness. Or my brown spots! My skin has not looked this soft and smooth since I was a child. My acne scars are diminished as well – not gone, but certainly improved! I won’t lie – it’s a pain to go through the peel and my skin was very sensitive for several weeks, but I would do the CO2 laser again if I ever needed to.

My confidence had sunk to an all-time low before the procedure, and now I feel like a new, younger version of myself. I’m a warm and happy person on the inside, and now people see it on the outside again. I feel like I exude confidence and that people are reacting to it – positively!

I was right to travel as far as I did (even though it added to my expense), because Dr. Miller and all his staff are absolutely top-notch.

I am not going to post photos - sorry! I only told a handful of people what I had done. I had very little bruising overall. I never would have believed it if I hadn't experienced it myself. Again, that's why I chose Dr. Miller - he didn't disappoint!