Lower Facelift with Fat Transfer and Lipo to Neck and Jowls

Although I'm still in healing mode - today I feel marks being on the other side. I am looking more and more like myself -- just a better version.

I did this surgery completely on my own. When I say on my own, I mean NO ONE took me to the surgery center, NO ONE picked me up the next day and NO ONE came home with me or has been with me during my recovery. Recovery is challenging enough - but an additional challenge when doing it alone.

I only shared my decision to have surgery with two of my closest friends. I think getting plastic surgery is a very personal decision and is really no one's business unless I choose to share. I know my family members are very much against it, so no reason to keep them in the loop. One of the friend's I told lives locally and would've been able to pick me up and care for me for the first 24 hours, but I did not want to burden her. I stayed in an aftercare place recommended by the surgeon - so they picked me up. After taking a medi-car back to the surgeon's office the next day, I took an Uber home and thus began my journey of healing.

It helps that I live in a big city and have access to many different types of delivery services. I spent the first several days indoors. Never left save for a covert trip down the block to 7 Eleven at 4 a.m. Surgery was on Monday -- by Saturday I started going outside for walks making sure that i've been getting in at least 10k steps each day. Each day I wear a baseball cap and today (Thursday - 10 days post) is the first time I went out in just sunglasses.

I saw the doc yesterday (Day 9) for stitches and staple removal. He was pleased with my healing. I got the go ahead to stop sleeping on my back on a wedge (thank you Lord) and the thumbs up to have some alcohol (don't mind if I do).

I took pain meds for the first few days only. I needed them more than I anticipated and pretty much had one Norco every 4 hours Monday (day of surgery) through Wednesday ( I took 4 pills per day). Nothing since. Bruising at this point is almost completely gone except you can still see some bits at the base of my neck and my upper lip has a black spot where Dr. Placik injected my lips with autologous fat.

As far as I look - I definitely look "done" at this point as would be expected less than 2 weeks post procedure. I feel tightness from my ears, down my lower cheeks/jaw and under my chin. Feels as if someone has a surgical mask gripping the lower part of my face beneath my chin. It is not painful, just simply a tightness.

I'm not going to post recovery pics. When I start to look more settled and "final" I will post before and afters. So far so good.

I am also happy to answer any questions about the procedure, the doctor, staff, aftercare, care credit, etc. I originally saw Dr. Placik because of a review on this site. I tried keeping in contact with the woman who had such good results, but people seem to disappear off this site once their procedure is over, so I know how valuable it is to have an internet friend holding your virtual hand through this journey.

I am in the midst of my recovery and plan on coming back to share in detail about the whole process.

I value the information that is on the RealSelf site and have used this site extensively to research docs and procedures. The input of others when it comes to procedures, recovery and choosing doctors has been invaluable to me. I hope to provide the same information to help others. Until I feel better and can see the results more clearly....I'll be back.