52, Face Looks So Miserable and Tired Reflecting Tough Times, Maybe Facelift/lower Lid Lift/botox the Answer? - Belgium

I meant to come back to update before this but had been travelling then went through a house sale etc. Anyway in early August I returned to Belgium (little town of Beveren, 20 minutes from Antwerp, I stayed in the Van de Valk hotel again - for just 2 nights - I'd still recommend v modern and clean with adjustable aircon and quite airy) about GBP 80 a night, so euro 100- plus a bus runs to and from the Gross Markt (main square) for just over a euro or something rather than 10 euros for taxi - I think the bus number is 83 but please double check) to have my eye hollows sorted out. (I had chickened out of this when having my facelift done as it seemed like too much healing to do, especially when I was anaemic - it wasn't medical advice, just my feeling).

It was great knowing where I was going and what to expect clinic-wise this time, it brought the anxiety level right down. The anaesthetist and nurse were the same team and just as sweet and calming. Dr O ran through what we'd agreed on:



. skin tag removal (by scalpel) - which would mean cuts close to lashline for both eyes

. fat collected from abdomen by cannula the size of a marker pen tip

. injection of fat into the hollows of each eye

. the right lower eyelid to be cut just under the lashline and the existing fat redistributed



Dr O marked me up and within 10 minutes give or take I was out under Twilight sedation (deep sedation, not aware of anything or any pain). When I awoke this time (again, just like waking up in the morning) I didn't feel any nausea or grogginess. I was able to leave within an hour and got the bus back to the hotel - 10 minute ride. It's advisable to get eye drops. When the painkiller wore off the pain was bearable, it was more sore with the eyes feeling irritated, like being in strong wind, so eyedrops were of the most use to me.



When I looked in the mirror the next morning, I looked pretty scary, my eyes were like slits and the stitches covered in crusts of blood. I was most concerned about my eyes looking more differently shaped than usual and some of the stitching looking puckered but Dr O told me later that it was normal and wouldn't affect the final result.



In a way my right eye effectively had a lower bleph, but apparently no loose skin was taken away, so my lid was intact - that may be why I didn't experience the contraction that you can see in some lower blephs where the lid pulls away from the eyeball leaving a gap. I never had that.



It only took about 4 days for the irritation/dryness to subside and I didn't use half my pack of eyedrop sachets. As with the facelift, the swelling from surgery made my eyes look fuller than they would end up. But early on I was pleased with how much more volume I'd got and how the dark shadows that aged me so much were pretty much eliminated.



Also I was happy to know that I could always get more fat put in at a later date. It's such a relatively 'easy' (for me!) and painfree procedure that the thought of doing it again is no problem at all. I would still have another facelift if necessary, but would have more anxiety about it.



After the post-surgery swelling had mostly gone and I was looking at the final result 2 or so months later, I was generally extremely happy with the rejuvenation of such a simple procedure (and it being natural fat as well) and people I'd told about it gave very positive feedback. Those I didn't tell probably didn't notice.



What I did notice though, within about 3 weeks of surgery, was a little pouch under my right eye. Dr O wasn't able to say what caused it, but says if it doesn't smooth out I can get a cortisone injection to flatten it (but apparently it's very painful, so not looking forward to that!).



Anyway, I can say with absolute conviction that I'd always go back to Dr Oelbrandt for any further procedures. As I said before, he doesn't push anything on you, gives you alternatives and treats holistically, interested in your mind as well as the physical aspect. He is easy to contact, and although as I said at the beginning, brutally honest, I find that integrity refreshing and priceless in this modern age. Also, the procedures are the cheapest I've come across at this high quality. It's all definitely been worth it for me, 100%.



I'll check my previous reviews for questions, although realise it's a bit late for some people now, but hope to help any others currently researching.

I realised soon after that my last post was horribly sanctimonious, talking about how my new face was going to help me save the world and all that crap. My only excuse is it was about 2am when I'm prone to delirious late night ramblings; I must apologise. I'm not really up my own a**!

Since my last post I've seen my PS for a check up and then yesterday went to Mrs Shah-Desai in Harley Street for 1ml of Restylane for my undereye hollows. Mrs S-D said I needed 2ml really and she's right but I couldn't afford it right now. It's £350 for first mil then 250 per subsequent ones. Eventually I'll have fat transfers for that area but she doesn't do them. Lower bleph doesn't address eye hollows, she told me.

My PS said my result was excellent and when I asked about the remaining, admittedly reduced, jowls, he said, as Sminky had advised, it's due to your face shape and you wouldn't have had a totally smooth jawline 20 years ago, which is true. He also said a liplift was unnecessary and would look silly on me. It's good that he reins you back in I suppose - and easier on the bank account! :)

So I think for now the update photos are as good as it gets for me! Thank you to everyone who's encouraged me and given such valuable advice and there for me in the scary first few days. It's so reassuring to have that kind support when you don't know what to expect and are panicking over the smallest things - and are in a foreign country! Thank you x a million. Now I'll get on with my very ordinary life.

And good luck to all those about to embark on their own surgery journey' - only do what you feel comfortable doing and I believe you'll feel less anxious about it.

A bientot. Jude

I'm glad to report that my ridge and dimpling have significantly improved since my last post - I no longer dread sudden gusts of wind blowing my hair off my face. Which is a relief, I can tell you.

However I still have jowls which make my face look square. I'm optimistic that these are exaggerated by remnants of fluid swelling my cheeks. I'm meant to be seeing my PS on Saturday. I read that the final outcome takes months, but as I had fairly limited surgery and I've healed ok and more feeling is returning, I shouldn't think my results will be much different to now. An happy to be corrected! I've been having some roofing work etc done at mum's house, and that's probably put years on me...

As I mentioned, just before I restart my life properly, I'm planning on having a liplift and some kind of lower eyelid procedure. I feel so self-indulgent wanting more done, but I'd only postponed my eyes before. And when it's all done I'll be much better equipped to contribute to society and have the confidence to be speak out for people like my mother and their carers.

And I know what you're thinking, and the answer is yes I did cut my own hair as I was fed up with greying curtains and couldn't get a salon appointment!! Don't worry I'll make sure I get a proper cut soon! My PS will probably be horrified.