Beginning to End, Facelift Journey

I have used the Realself platform to aide in my research, follow other people's stories and experiences and found it incredibly helpful, and in most cases, insightful. While this is a deeply personal journey, I felt compelled to "Pay it Forward" so to speak, by sharing mine as well. I will be adding photos and updates as things move along. I have not added details, yet, on the surgeon etc. as it requires I give them a "star rating" and I don't feel I can accurately do that yet, because my surgery has not yet happened... Besides "putting myself out there" one of the most difficult parts of sharing will be finding a balance in the information/detail I give. I tend to lean towards long-winded detail oriented "reviews", at the same time I don't want to bore anyone either. That said, I personally found the more information someone shares about their experiences, the more helpful I found it. No promises either way.

After years of being told I looked much younger than my age, and a health journey that led to a 95 lb weight loss, it seems overnight I looked in the mirror and saw a deflated, much older looking face staring back at me. Age, and all the excess skin from my weight loss was hanging out in my neck and jowl areas and extra skin hooded my eyes. My undereye area had hollowed. It was all catching up to me. My "desire" enhance my appearance grew from that point but it felt like a pipe dream.
I did have one consultation, didn't care for the Doc and put the idea on a back burner while researching and living vicariously through other members of Real Self.
More recently, I saw a candid photo that really highlighted my most problematic areas and I was shocked. Although I never considered myself photogenic, I was so used to "posing" for the camera, deleting any shot that I didn't find flattering in some aspect, and seeing what other people likely see, made me realize it was time.
Before I met with Dr. Petroff, and including the consult a year or more ago, I did a total of 7 other consultations. Most had a charge associated and that alone was eating into my procedure funds. It was helpful though, and I recommend everyone meet with, discuss procedures and processes with as many Doctors as it takes until you feel as if you met the one that is right for you. Now, this doesn't guarantee a good result, but as I learned, there is a lot that goes into making you feel comfortable with your choice. From the Dr. to the staff, the facility, the before and after pictures, the suggested procedures and more.
Initially, there was about a 6-8 week wait for a consult, but I asked to be put on a waiting list for cancellations. With all my other consults (thus far) finished, I wanted to meet with him asap while it was all fresh in my mind. The staff at Dr. Petroff's office have been very kind and accommodating so far and they were able to get me in after a few weeks on a cancellation. One thing I noticed (and liked) when meeting with various staff members in his office was that they all weren't walking around looking like billboards for overdone plastic surgery. I have seen some offices where the staff members are all either overstretched, or over plumped, and their faces just scream "I HAD PLASTIC SURGERY" They were all relatively young, but if they have had any work done, you can't tell. I am going for a much improved, but natural result. Based on Dr. Petroff's before and after pictures and by talking with him, I believe this is what he tries to achieve and appears to be successful at it. Fingers Crossed.
My consultation was casual, yet professional. I have had so many different experiences with my consultations, his approach was not the most thorough, fancy, or overall impressive one I have had, but that isn't the deciding factor. His office was beautiful, professional and well maintained. I did a medical history, which he had reviewed by the time he came into the office. We discussed what I was unhappy with, the areas for improvement (from my perspective) and then he told me what he felt I needed in the way of procedures to correct those areas, and what he thought I didn't. After so many opinions and ways of going about achieving results, I had some preconceived ideas on what procedures I needed. Dr. Petroff agreed with some of them, but others he thought less of. I felt as if he was giving me his honest opinions on what was best for me, not necessarily the best for his bottom line. Although I hope this is a one-shot surgery, I feel better knowing I can have additional procedures, if they are found to be necessary to a good result. He was concerned some procedures might make me look "too done" and I would much rather go back for touch-ups than to do something that can't be undone.
One area that I have never been "thrilled" with is my nose. Although it was not the area I thought was a priority, Dr. Petroff agreed Rhinoplasty could provide some aesthetic improvements and help with a more youthful appearance. That said, he did not recommend doing it at the same time as the other procedures. This is currently on the back burner and will be considered after the healing process and getting an idea of my results.
Along with my neck and lower/midface, I also felt my eye hooding aged me and that I had a weak chin. I thought I needed a brow lift, but Dr. Petroff said the excess skin on the upper lids were the most aging and we could get a slight lift to the brow with botox. He thought the browlift (at least at this stage) would make me have that "surprised" look. Not interested in that!
He explained his process, his history, his experience, his surgical suite, etc and showed me some simulation in the mirror. Things just seemed to "line up" in my mind. I don't know how else to explain it, really. After every other consult, I either knew when I left that they were not the one, or there were lingering questions. When I had tried to get answers to those questions, I had to go through unresponsive patient co-ordinators. Even when I was thrilled with the Dr himself, there was some aspect of the consult or after consult follow up that left much to be desired.
After meeting with Dr. Petroff we agreed the plan was to include a modified deep plane face and neck lift, along with liposuction to the neck, an upper bleph, and a chin implant. He took pictures and I met with his patient coordinator for the quote and earliest schedule dates. (I plan to ask if I need Co2 Laser resurfacing and when we will a good time to add the botox to the upper brow, and some undereye filler when I see him before the sugery) He preferred the predictability of the fillers over fat grafting. (about half the Docs suggested Fat Grafting, the other half did not- I don't know yet if this is a personal comfort level by the Doc, or just overall experience after doing both fillers and fat grafting)
The quote was in the 17-18K range, and this included everything except the potential botox and fillers and the pre-op EKG and bloodwork required. I will get ultrasound treatments on the 1 and 2-week post op visits that are to aid in healing. I can take that off if I choose, but for now, I read it can be helpful and I want everything to go as smoothly as possible. They also recommend the Recovery Vitamin regimen 2 weeks before and after (will get the exact name later) as well as other supplements that help with swelling and bruising.
The first available schedule date was in May, but I needed to discuss with my husband and check his work schedule, etc. When I left his office, it was the first time I walked out of an office and felt as if I really wanted to schedule the surgery! There is not one single thing I can pinpoint that made me feel that way, I guess you just feel it when you feel it.
While my husband and I tried to figure out the financial aspects as well as the timing, I called to get other possible dates. Sometime later in the week, I got a call saying that a surgery date opened up in just a few weeks and it was mine if I wanted it. We determined it was better timing for many reasons and I accepted the date. This meant going back in for a pre-op appointment right away, transferring funds to pay (full amount due 2 weeks before surgery) and starting the 2-week pre-op do's and don'ts.
When I went in for the pre-op appointment I met with a Medical Assistant. She was very knowledgeable and although I would have preferred to meet with the Doc himself for those last minute reassurance questions about the actual surgery, procedures and results, etc. The medical assistant was able to answer most all my pre-op questions and everything was finalized. I received the pre-op supplies, which they offer bundled, which I believe to be at (or near) cost and saved me from running around trying to track everything down myself. If I had 3 months to prepare, that would not have been a big deal, but given my timeline, it was great just to have it all ready to go. I also received a nice bound information booklet that was personalized for me and my procedures with what to expect, etc which I've read and will come in handy as I recover. It will be something my husband reads while I'm in surgery.
The questions that we did need the Doctor to confirm, were done as soon as he returned to the office and I was promptly called. I received a personal letter from the Doctor in the mail, was a nice touch and there was some reassuring words about the surgery, the staff, and my care.
As of right now, I have been taking my pre-op supplements without fail, following orders and am reasonably calm (and excited) it's only 4 days away though and I fully anticipate the nerves to set in anytime now.... I am posting SOME pics, it will take me awhile to get comfortable with his part of the "sharing" process.
If you stuck out this far into the update....thanks. I told you it would be detailed and long winded. ;)

The Supplements I mentioned in a previous post, that I was advised to take (although not required) was called "The Recovery Support Program" by Vitamedica. I've been taking the morning/evening formulas since my pre-op appt (2 weeks before, 2 weeks after) and today I started taking the Bromelain. This one starts 3 days before and I continue to take until 10 days after....along with Arnica Montana starting the evening of surgery. It was bundled in one "kit" and I believe I was told they sell it at cost.

I rented a hospital bed. The Dr's office said there was absolutely no need to do this, however, I am not good sleeping on propped up pillows and my recliner does not lock into a reclined position so any major movement will shoot me to a more upright position, which I also don't want to chance. When I have fallen asleep in this recliner in the seated, foot elevated position, my head always falls forward and I pay for it with a sore stiff neck. The hospital bed is relatively inexpensive and will allow me to be elevated to the level of my needs or comfort and keep me from trudging up and down the stairs all day... It was a personal choice. We also just have happened to order replacement mattresses under warranty and decided (nothing to do with the surgery) to get adjustable bases this time. They will likely arrive sometime in the first few weeks of recovery, and this will give me a choice of where to sleep once I am over the initial hump.

My Husband also went out and bought me some "soft" and liquid foods in case I need them after surgery. Oatmeal, Pudding, Protein Drink meal replacements, and protein drink supplements, applesauce, potatoes (for mashed), soup, etc. That should get me by until we see what I can and can't eat that first week.

I think I have the things I need, although when I am out and about this week I might look for a pair or 2 of pjs the have button up tops. All mine pull over the head, and while I have a regular button up shirt to wear to and from the Doc's office, I have no Pjs. I don't think this will be an issue if I don't get to it, or find something I would use after, but if I have time, I might look around.

I'm still calm, surprisingly so. I'm sure it's the mental calm before the mental and emotional storm!