I Said "Never" but at 66, Am Having a Biltmore Lift - Asheville, NC

Hi Everyone,
Thought I'd post an update as it's been awhile since I have....almost a month I think. I've been off grid a bit as I'm trying to not focus too much on my own healing and just leave things be and carry on with life. In most ways I feel back to normal and am getting used to my new visage in the mirror. I feel like the swelling is totally gone which is nice (though it also means the return of a couple of things I'd been happy to say good bye to (my left nasal labial fold, though not nearly as deep as before has reappeared, and some slight sagging in the jowls). That's all good though - it's to be expected and I'm very happy with new neck and profile and overall smoother and uplifted face! When I look at my befores, I feel this has definitely been a success (thanks Dr. Harley! XO).
Like others have here on Real Self, it's been interesting to note the lack of response from anyone about the change in my appearance. I think we're so hyper aware our own changes that it's strange when no-one notices (or they do and don't say anything, who knows!). The one person who has commented is my oldest daughter who said a few days ago that I look really good and now that the swelling has gone down, I look normal again, "only like you did 20 years ago". As she is one of the most observant people in my world, that was very satisfying :). Oh, and one of the little Syrian girls we visit thought my eldest was my sister (that used to happen when I was in my 40s but hadn't for ages). Oh and there was another person who though that but I can't seem to recall who. Anyway, very nice :)
In terms of any little things that are still bothersome (not meant to be negative here, just sharing in case anyone else has similar issues and is relieved it's not just them), I have quite a number of little bumps around both my ears. In one case, it was definitely a stitch that my daughter could see and pulled out, also in another instance I felt the stitch emerging but it either went back in or I scratched it off. The others are just lumps, some tiny, some biggish. Anyone else have those? I just mostly ignore them and massage them sometimes.
My ears are about half "thawed"; the left earlobe has more feeling than the right, there’s a sort of a sort of tingly feeling there. I still can't sleep very comfortably on my right side (also still the most frozen) but it's not bad and improving steadily. I even wore earrings for the first time for my lovely Mother's Day lunch - that was nice because I've worn earrings almost every day for decades and it makes me feel more like me :) My left lobe is still a bit wonky but hoping it will resolve (one of the photos shows it). Also can feel most of my face now, the only part I can’t is the part over beside my ears, from the top of the ear right down to the jaw. Very strange feeling, like waxed paper; I sort of feel disconnected from it and have to remind myself to put serums, creams and oils there too.
I have a sort of slight pleat in my skin on the left side of my neck which I’m trying not to worry about, hopefully it will resolve (again, just saying this for anyone else who gets that and wonders if it's 'normal'.).
The eyes are doing well. No dry eye and the scars underneath are pretty much invisible unless you are a couple of inches from my face and looking closely. (A rare occurrence!). My undereyes are more sunken than they were and even a little dark. I don't really mind it though - I don't think it ages me; nor do I think it makes me look tired. There's still a slight droop under the eye and I admit I've been lazy there too - I must go back to the massaging upwards.
Fortycankissit was mentioning that I must be having a lot of fun with eye make up but I'm not really much of a make-up user and haven't gone near my eyes yet, not even mascara. No, I lie; I did use mascara one day but didn't like trying to get it off as I don't want to stretch the lower lid any more than I have to. They feel sort of itchy near the lashes and I feel as though if I put mascara on, it might irritate it. Have never been very skilled at makeup anyway and mascara has been about the extent of my eye makeup, though I've been watching youtube videos on how to make up "mature eyes" and am going to try soon I think. I once had someone in Sephora show me how to do my eyes so I'll try to do what she taught me when I'm ready. I have slapped a bit of BB cream on a couple of times but my main focus has been skin care; (I'm the queen of serums I think!) doing derma rolling, using retinol and Vit C (and more!). I feel like it's working and am especially pleased with how my age spots have diminished. I do use sun screen.
Scars in general are doing well - some invisible now. The one under the chin is still a bit ropey so I need to go back to taping (I got lazy!) but it really doesn't show unless, presumably, I were to be in a very compromising position.
I think that's about it! I hope everyone is doing well and sorry to not have responded to any messages or comments; as I say, I was sort of taking a break from thinking about appearances :) XO
Hi Everyone,
Thought I'd post an update as it's been awhile, almost a month I think. I've been off the site a bit as I'm trying to not focus too much on my own healing and just leave things be and carry on with life. In most ways I feel back to normal and am getting used to my new visage in the mirror. I feel like the swelling is totally gone which is nice (though it also means the return of a couple of things I'd been happy to say good bye to (my left nasal labial fold, though not nearly as deep as before has reappeared, and some slight sagging in the jowls). That's all good though - it's to be expected and I'm very happy with new neck and profile and overall smoother and uplifted face! When I look at my befores, I feel this has definitely been a success (thanks Dr. Harley! XO).
Like others have here on Real Self, it's been interesting to note the lack of response from anyone about the change in my appearance. I think we're so hyper aware our own changes that it's strange when no-one notices (or they do and don't say anything, who knows!). The one person who has commented is my oldest daughter who said a few days ago that I look really good and now that the swelling has gone down, I look normal again, "only like you did 20 years ago". As she is one of the most observant people in my world, that was very satisfying :). Oh, and one of the little Syrian girls we visit thought my eldest was my sister (that used to happen when I was in my 40s but hadn't for ages). Oh and there was another person who though that but I can't seem to recall who. Anyway, very nice :)
In terms of any little things that are still bothersome (not meant to be negative here, just sharing in case anyone else has similar issues and is relieved it's not just them), I have quite a number of little bumps around both my ears. In one case, it was definitely a stitch that my daughter could see and pulled out, also in another instance I felt the stitch emerging but it either went back in or I scratched it off. The others are just lumps, some tiny, some biggish. Anyone else have those? I just mostly ignore them and massage them sometimes.
My ears are about half "thawed"; the left earlobe has more feeling than the right, there’s a sort of a sort of tingly feeling there. I still can't sleep very comfortably on my right side (also still the most frozen) but it's not bad and improving steadily. I even wore earrings for the first time for my lovely Mother's Day lunch - that was nice because I've worn earrings almost every day for decades and it makes me feel more like me :) My left lobe is still a bit wonky but hoping it will resolve (one of the photos shows it). Also can feel most of my face now, the only part I can’t is the part over beside my ears, from the top of the ear right down to the jaw. Very strange feeling, like waxed paper; I sort of feel disconnected from it and have to remind myself to put serums, creams and oils there too.
I have a sort of slight pleat in my skin on the left side of my neck which I’m trying not to worry about, hopefully it will resolve (again, just saying this for anyone else who gets that and wonders if it's 'normal'.).
The eyes are doing well. No dry eye and the scars underneath are pretty much invisible unless you are a couple of inches from my face and looking closely. (A rare occurrence!). My undereyes are more sunken than they were and even a little dark. I don't really mind it though - I don't think it ages me; nor do I think it makes me look tired. There's still a slight droop under the eye and I admit I've been lazy there too - I must go back to the massaging upwards.
Fortycankissit was mentioning that I must be having a lot of fun with eye make up but I'm not really much of a make-up user and haven't gone near my eyes yet, not even mascara. No, I lie; I did use mascara one day but didn't like trying to get it off as I don't want to stretch the lower lid any more than I have to. They feel sort of itchy near the lashes and I feel as though if I put mascara on, it might irritate it. Have never been very skilled at makeup anyway and mascara has been about the extent of my eye makeup, though I've been watching youtube videos on how to make up "mature eyes" and am going to try soon I think. I once had someone in Sephora show me how to do my eyes so I'll try to do what she taught me when I'm ready. I have slapped a bit of BB cream on a couple of times but my main focus has been skin care; (I'm the queen of serums I think!) doing derma rolling, using retinol and Vit C (and more!). I feel like it's working and am especially pleased with how my age spots have diminished. I do use sun screen.
Scars in general are doing well - some invisible now. The one under the chin is still a bit ropey so I need to go back to taping (I got lazy!) but it really doesn't show unless, presumably, I were to be in a very compromising position.
I think that's about it! I hope everyone is doing well and sorry to not have responded to any messages or comments; as I say, I was sort of taking a break from thinking about appearances :) XO

Hi there, I'm actually a little over 7 weeks post but pretty close. Am going to itemise a few things here just for the purposes of organising them in my mind. Please note that the fact that I'm mentioning it doesn't necessarily equal worry or even concern. It's more just to do a sort of accurate recounting for the benefit of those who come after me and appreciate the details. I know I did. Whenever someone mentioned something in the past, when I then had the same issue, I felt much less unconcerned about it than if I hadn't heard of it. So.....

- My swelling has gone way done and is a non issue for me know. My daughter said yesterday "oh good, you're looking normal now". Hopefully, the 'new' normal and not the old one! But it's gone way down and doesn't feel like an issue now.

Still have that 'feedbag under the chin feeling, as Geezer aptly calls it and it not only doesn't bother me, I even kind of enjoy it because it means my neck is way tighter down there now. Still very happy with my neck; it's SO nice not to see all that crepiness and wrinkliness (new word). As far as what I'd been concerned about and entitled 'the wrinkly bits', it's much improved. I've been following Dr. Harley's protocols of massaging the area frequently and putting hot compresses there. It's not entirely resolved but much, much improved and I'm pleased :)

My eyes are also doing well. The drooping of the lower lid is way better than it was and, again, have been following Dr. Harley's suggestion of the upward massage and actually increased how often I do it (after checking in with him). I was taping the red scar line under my eyes but a few days ago the tape fell off and I felt like I didn't really need it there anymore. It barely shows at all. You might notice that I have a small piece of tape under my right eye, on the right side; that's just the location of my inadvertent tearing off of a piece of scab. Unfortunate and then when it was healing back up, it was looking a bit ropey so I keep a piece of tape there now and it's doing really well.

Regarding the eyes, I do - occasionally - have some mild regrets about not getting the upper bleph as that left side droops so much (note the photo where I cleverly hold the eyebrow up so as to see what symmetry would do) but really I think I made the right decision for myself. This has been enough to deal with for now and it can be done later.

My ears are still uncomfortable at times, very sensitive, especially on the right side, but no real issues, healing slowly but surely. I have some photos of the scars which are almost invisible now. I do wonder if the lobe is a bit wonky though, especially on the left side. Opinions welcome.

That's it really. I got my mojo back about 2ish weeks ago and went on a little adventure on the west coast of Vancouver Island here. Lots of virgin forest and old growth trees and beautiful beaches to explore. Mind you, in our wanderings, we stayed on well known trails, just a titch spooked by all the "Caution: Watch out for bears" signs. It's cougar country up there too so one needs to be alert! But in general, I feel much more energetic and have been walking a lot in the city and have even started an exercise program, just on my own here at home in front of youtube :).

Hope everyone is doing well! XO

Here are the amounts that I paid for my procedures. I'd originally typed in $6400.00 US but I guess because the site seems to know I'm Canadian, it changed it to Canadian. I don't know where the extra 0 came from but I suppose it was my error. Anyway, the actual amount I paid is as follows:
Biltmore Lift: $6,400.00 US
Lower Bleph: $2,900.00 US
Juvaderm: $600.00 US (in the lip and marionette lines)
Radiesse: $1,000.00 US ($500 x 2 in the nasalabial folds and in the cheek)
TOTAL: $10,900.00 US

I've written the amount above in US dollars; I tried to change it from CAD to US because the currency fluctuates and I don't want to guesstimate or say what it is today and have it change but it wouldn't let me. Anyway, here it is.