Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER Mini Facelift REVIEWS

33 Years Old and Not Happy with my Saggy Cheeks

ORIGINAL POST

Background: I have gotten some fillers in my...

User Avatar
Lyn1984
WORTH IT$15,000
Background: I have gotten some fillers in my cheekbone area and they helped a little but I was not 100% happy. After lots and lots of research and self-education (I’m a RN), I realized I needed to lift my cheeks and not fill them as my face is already “full.” But the problem was so many doctors would say I’m “too young” for a facelift (33 y/o) and should do fillers/Botox/threads ect. I knew they were wrong because of my extensive research...That’s when I came across Dr. Calabria. I followed him casually on IG for quite sometime as his work is beautiful and more importantly, natural looking. When I saw that he said “Threads don’t work,” I knew this man was an expert. Plus his amazing work spoke for itself. I decided to not think about it any longer and make a Skype consultantion with him. He suggested I get what he calls the “one-stitch modified face lift.”
Cost: Everything I needed including round trip plane tickets from Chicago to LAX, Airbnb for 4 days, Uber rides, Pre-Op Labs, and total cost of the procedure/operation room cost came out to be around $15,000.
Results: I am not exaggerating when I say I am the happiest girl in the world! I look in the mirror and can’t believe my face from 10 years ago is back. And I know it’s just going to get better with time as it heals. What more amazing is NOBODY can tell what I did. Even after less than 2 weeks after my procedure, I have very minimal swelling, no pain (the only real pain was when I got my stitches out) no bruising, and I can feel my nerves growing back which feels like a tingling sensation.
Tips for others: DO NOT! DO NOT! DO NOT pick a surgeon based on price. The best ones are not cheap and shouldn’t be. You have to pay for quality work so save up for the best or don’t do it at all. Save money by staying in an AirBnB instead of a hotel and travel during the week to save on airfare.
Don’t listen to those doctors that say you are “too young.” I’m sooo glad I didn’t otherwise I wouldn’t get to experience having the face of a 20 y/o at 33 if I did. Every person is different in what they need, so do your own research beforehand and only go to the best...Aka Dr. Calabria.
I’m not going to post pictures publicly (discretion is necessary for me) but if you are truly interested in getting work done but apprehensive, I will privately send them to your personal email only.

Lyn1984's provider

Renato Calabria, MD

Renato Calabria, MD

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Lyn1984

Lyn1984 rating for Dr. Calabria:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Replies (4)

July 6, 2018
I'm so glad to hear you got a great result! I'm young too for a facelift and considering however to fix ultherapy damage. Photos would really be helpful if you could share. Thank you.
March 11, 2019
I am truly happy for you. I am on other hand wasn’t so lucky more than once. After the Initial surgery i promised to myself to never again to have any invasive precedure but was manipulated by the surgeon’s wife to have a revision who forgot to mention that her husband isn’t plastic surgeon but dermatologist.
Since you did your research would you please sent me your before and after pictures. I see great reviews about dr. Calibria but couple of 2 stars reviews worry me.
Thank you
March 13, 2019
Please send me the before and afters. I am 37 and hear the same and feel I’m wasting more on upkeep of Botox/fillers then if I just got a lift. Congrats, I’m happy for you !
April 19, 2019
Hi! I have been following Dr. Calabria for years and I have been wanting his one stitch for lax skin from years of acne scars that is left my skin thin. but like you everyone just over fills e with fillers . I’m also from Chicago. Would love to see before and afters if you wouldn’t mind sharing.
UPDATED FROM Lyn1984
4 months post

Post op 4 months update!

User Avatar
Lyn1984
I am seeing the full results and they are pretty subtle compared to when I first got it done. Is this a complaint? No, because I would rather the results be less noticeable than obvious. I do have a pixie ear but it doesn’t bother me. My neck and jaw line looks amazing from all the extra skin he removed. My scaring is healing nicely and becoming less pink every day. Overall, I’m still very happy!

Replies (4)

October 22, 2018
June 30, 2019
Where exactly and how big is the scar from his one stitch facelift?
April 10, 2020
Hi KellieBellie, I would love for you to send me pics. I am in my 40s. I would be so grateful if you would share your photos with me via email or text. Angie Email: angieslist14@gmail.com Phone: (404) 313-3031
March 8, 2022
Hi, I’m 33 and also considering getting this done can you please send me pics to diamondworth21&@Gmail.com I would appreciate tons!
UPDATED FROM Lyn1984
1 year post

17 months later...

User Avatar
Lyn1984
Any kind of improvement to my face I no longer see. (Minus the neck skin- that is nice to have gone) Not sure if this is common, but I guess it is better than looking overdone. I feel as if I look like I did before I got the procedure. I’m guessing some light fillers is needed to achieve the look I desire.

Ugh. Trying to fight against Father Time is expensive and never ending :(

I don’t regret getting this done but I think I would be happier with the results if I waited until I was older?

Replies (7)

November 19, 2019
it helps if you add photos
December 31, 2019
Hi- So this procedure lifted and tightened your neck as well, and you’re still happy with the results in that area? I’m 41, and my main areas of concern are my neck (crepey and sags a little) and jawline (would like it to be smoother and sharper), so I’m wondering if this would be the right procedure for me?
January 4, 2020
Thank you so much for posting this so long after your procedure!
January 23, 2020
So the skin you had lifted has fallen back to where it was?
July 26, 2020
hello, you didn't get a mini face lift (which is what your review falls under) you got a one stitch lift :( the one stitch lift is a marketing ploy it is literally money to the bin. Facelifts should involve so much more than what is involved with the one stitch lift. A proper mini lift is suitable for ages 30+.
User Avatar
January 1, 2021
Thanks for pointing that out. I was not familiar with a one stitch lift vs a mini lift. I will be sure to stay away from that one when I make my decision as it’s obvious it doesn’t last even two years. Thank you