49 Yr Old with 53 Yr Old Hubby -- Both Getting Biltmore Lift! Asheville, NC

I can honestly say, I've lived a blessed life and I’m even excited about the prospect of turning 50 years old later this year. While I don't need a major overhaul, I’ve always known, the time for me to address facial/neck sagging would be before it garnered enough momentum to drastically change the structure of my face, and also, that the right procedure(s) done at the right time(s) should enhance my face/neck without anyone realizing I obviously had “work” done...they'd just think I'd aged gracefully....and I WILL have aged gracefully...only with the help of a gifted plastic surgeon!! In that respect, plastic surgery has been a measure which I would utilize “as needed” when the time came, and after 49 years, I am utilizing it!!!

About a year ago, I started noticing the laxity and droopiness of my neck and jaw area, which began loosening 8 years earlier, was accelerating to the point of where my neck was spilling over my turtlenecks, and "disrupting" my profile. As a former beauty queen who never before had to think about angling my head/neck for a “good” photo, I found that I HATED having my photo taken and pretty much shunned cameras!!

Also, I realized the reason why my eyelashes were hitting my upper lids and leaving mascara marks was NOT because they had suddenly grown longer, but because my eyelids were sagging down onto them!!! For the most part, I’ve gone through life looking younger than my chronological age. Yet, my eyes, lower face, and neck have started closing that gap---quickly!! Therefore, I finally decided to take charge of the aging process and get a couple of things "tweaked" before I began to look OLDER than my actual age. In short, I am vain y'all!! LOL!

However, when I told my husband I wanted this surgery, he was worried that the face he fell in love with 23 years ago would be unrecognizable to him. However, after I assured him (and our 3 sons) that I'd done my research, I showed him Dr. Harley's results’ photos & video; PLUS, the reviews & photos of the generous women in the RealSelf community who’d already had the surgery and shared their photos & experiences with RealSelf. Not only was my husband convinced Dr. Harley was the right surgeon with the right procedure(s) for me, but HE himself wanted to have the Biltmore Lift too!! Therefore, I guess my husband and I are evenly matched when it comes to vanity!!! LOL!!

With that said, my hubby and I have already filled out the in-take forms, and I've done a phone consultation with Dr. Harley (oh, he is a sweet & kind man). He talked me through the entire process and answered my questions. My husband will have a phone consultation with Dr. Harley later. From the 3 photos of me that I initially sent in to him (pictured in this post) I decided to have the Biltmore Lift procedure, as well as, my upper eyelids done. When Dr. Harley sees me in person, he and I may decide to do the lower lids as well, but I don't want to have any surgeries before I actually need them. I'd rather do too little than too much. Plus...when he sees me in person, if he doesn't think I need the upper lids done, then I won't.

As for my husband, he's probably getting "the full meal deal", so to speak...Biltmore Lift, along with upper and lower eyelids lifted. I don't have definite surgery dates yet, but I do know that they will be back-to-back with Dr. Harley performing my surgery on one day, and then performing my husband's procedures the following day. We live about 7 hours from Asheville, so we'll be driving and bringing one or two people with us. We're also planning on having hubby's dermatologist take out our stitches.

Since so many women have been brave enough to post their photos and document their experiences with the Biltmore Lift and Dr. Harley, I feel that it is only fair that I do the same. These courageous women are the very reason I’m having the surgery with Dr. Harley. However, I will probably show my husband's "before and after" photos ONLY if he agrees to let me do so. If possible, I will try and document his recovery too, but he travels a lot with our family business and is only home 2-5 days a month, so it will be rather challenging to do so. Honestly, it's a miracle he even has the time to fit this surgery into his schedule. Since he works incredibly hard, and rarely does anything for himself, especially on this level, I am probably more thrilled that he’s having the surgery than I am for myself!! I'll update with more photos and insights/experiences as this process unfolds for me. I'll also share our surgery dates once they are solidified. Thank you for your support and encouragement in advance.

Juanita (from Dr. Harley's office) called to finalize our surgery dates. YAY!! I'll have my surgery on March 16th and my husband will have his on March 17th. Oddly enough, hubby did not want to go first. When I questioned him as to why, he said, "Just in case something goes wrong!" Of course, I had to ask him if he’d also throw me in front of speeding bullet if one happened to be headed our way, and save himself. To which he replied, " I MEANT, that If something goes wrong, then you can afford to BE less attractive, but since I (meaning himself) am just passably attractive, I CAN’T!!" LOL!! I’ve never heard such “logic”!!! LOL!! Personally, I think he's afraid to admit he’s …... well, AFRAID!!
I thought our surgeries would be on the 15th and 16th of March, but I was mistaken. I’m so glad Juanita called to confirm the actual dates (16th & 17th). I have to REALLY hand it to Dr. Harley and his staff…It’s been a bit of a juggling act on their part to work around my husband’s business schedule, do individual phone consults with both of us, and schedule us for back-to-back surgery dates!! However, they pulled it off!!!
Since there will be two if us having the procedure, and none of our family knows we’re having this surgery (except for our 3 sons, who won’t “squeal” on us), we are taking our fabulous housekeeper and her husband along to “see to us” when needed. It’s a good thing we’re all friends too since I’ve booked a 2-bedroom suite at the Residence Inn Asheville Biltmore. This arrangement affords us the convenience of having help at hand, a driver for the 7-hour trip back home, and access to a full kitchen. We’ll arrive the day before my surgery to stock the fridge and pick up any last minute items we may need.
Because of the helpful tips from folks like TracyAnne, Caribbeangal, liaiki, and Klauderb, I’ve already started purchasing items they suggested to make the healing process easier. To them I say, “Thank you ladies!!!”
Perhaps the most challenging part of this process is keeping a lid on our surgeries. I totally forgot that Easter is March 27th this year. We have a close family (both sides) that ALWAYS spends Easter, Christmas, Mother’s Day, etc… at my house! They are a fun-loving, but VERY nosey group of people (especially my sweet mother-in-law) --- think of the as the family in ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ but substitute wild game on a grill for the pig on a spit in their front yard, throw in camouflage clothing, southern drawls, and a side of potato salad, and you have our family!! So, you can probably understand why we’re still trying to figure out how to keep them in the dark until WE decide to share that info or admit to anything! The next few months are going to be interesting, to say the least! 34 days and counting…

One of the best ways I have found to hide my saggy neck is with my hair! However, I sure would like to be able to wear my hair up without feeling self-conscious and paranoid about the state of my saggy jawline. Over the years, I've gotten pretty adept at hiding it. Just 32 more days until I can stop hiding my neck underneath my hair!!! YAY!!! I also won't mind getting rid of the bags underneath my eyes either. While I'm not smiling really big here, whenever I DO smile really big, my eyes look like they are sandwiched between two marshmallows---one above and one below each eye!! I took this photo yesterday, right after I came in from grocery shopping. I'm wearing foundation, mascara, lip gloss, and a smidgen of blush. I find that the older I get, the less I want to wear anything more than the fastest makeup application possible. Although I doubt anyone can tell, I actually DID brush my hair. It was an incredibly windy day , which made my hair frizzy and big. :)