68 Years Old, Tired of Looking Like a Soviet-Era Bus Conductor - Asheville, NC

I decided to write my review on Thanksgiving Day because I am so very thankful this year that I am finally embarking on this long planned for journey. I've battled a weight problem (avg. 50-60 pounds overweight) virtually all of my adult life and I promised myself that once I was able to maintain a 50 pound weight loss for more than two years, I would reward myself with surgery that has become, due to the passage of time, more "reconstructive" than "cosmetic." I describe my chin as a full-term baby who lives under my chin; and my upper eyelids are so full of folds of fat they look like an origami project. The plastic surgeons who had been recommended to me in New York (where I live) did a lot of other procedures in addition to facelifts, i.e., rhinoplasty, ethnic rhinoplasty, tummy tucks, breast augmentations, butt lifts, etc., but I wanted a doctor who specialized in the kind of work I need done. When I saw the reviews on RS for Dr. Harley, particularly those reviews by women in my age range (rednaxelaennyl, dreddan611, texann), I felt that this was the best way I could reward myself for the accomplishment of having lost weight and, for the first time in my life, KEPT IT OFF! I am hoping that Dr. Harley can work his magic on me, as he has for so many others, by taking years off while they still maintained a natural appearance. My pre-op is on Dec. 5 with surgery (Biltmore Lift, upper bleph, although more might possibly be added) scheduled for Dec. 6. I will be going with a friend who will be driving and I've arranged for TLC for the first day.

I had my pre-op yesterday afternoon. Dr. Harley decided I wasn't as much in need of a brow lift as my "immensely flattering" photos indicated, so it will be an upper bleph and Biltmore Lift. I'm staying at the Marriott Residence Inn which has suites - I am happy to say I've got 2 flat screens, which I guess is kind of like old school PIP. I started Bromelain last week and the Arnica pellets 2 days before surgery. Prescriptions can't be sent out of state, so I picked them up at CVS and was amazed that my health insurance provider didn't designate them as "fourth tier" (with a cost of hundreds of dollars), but they came out to a reasonable 9 bucks each. I hope to get my money's worth with a lovely drug induced "nap" during the procedure as I was to nervous to get much sleep tonight.

The Marriott held a party for guests last night and I looked longingly at the wine but settled for lemonade. Juanita said I could have alcohol again after the sutures are removed, so I envision myself whooping it up in the backseat while the long-suffering BFF stoicly drives us home to NY.

Juanita and Dr. Harley were wonderfully encouraging and filled me with a lot of confidence that the old, weary, joyless bus conductor face would be relegated to the dustbin of history. To be continued....

BFF and I spent yesterday a.m. visiting folk art center in Asheville. I liked things that either blew my budget or were NFS. My friend is going to retun Sat. (Sale starts) and I will go back with her if I'm up to it and buy souvenirs to remind myself of the last time I was out in public with my cringe worth face.

Surgery went very well except for the nurse Kelly's logarhia. Although I had zero pain, I could hear what was being said. Would have preferred her gossiping about people from my nabe rather than hers.

TLC gave me two aides who were great, Kim and Mikal. I absolutely needed them for bathroom breaks as My gait was like a bobble doll.

Zero pain. I slept great from 6 pm until a little after 4 am. Limited discomfiort around the chin and neck. So far this is better (way better) than I hoped for. Leaving soon with the wonderful Mikal to get drains and head wrapping removed.