33 Years Old and Not Happy with my Saggy Cheeks

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.

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!

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?