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 Facelift Revision REVIEWS

musings on a facelift tuck/trichophytic brow lift - Birmingham, AL

ORIGINAL POST

I think the hardest thing I faced regarding my...

ddlb
WORTH IT$10,600

I think the hardest thing I faced regarding my facelift was trying to find surgeon reviews and determine who really was "the best" in Birmingham, AL. I googled and found realself.com, Angies list and other assorted doctor review websites. I discovered many self-proclaimed "best" plastic surgeons in my area at the top of the search results. I decided to go to what I hoped were the top 6 for consults - some free - some fee based. I knew of course to make sure the surgeon was board certified. I do admit I wanted the biggest bang for the buck and wasn't quite sure what I really needed done.

I had a couple interesting experiences. I really did not want a browlift quite frankly after reading so many horror stories and side-effects like "a thousand fleas running across your forehead". My consults included the mid-face lift, brow-lift and other suggestions for dermabrasion, lip plumbing, fat transfer, eyelid surgery and even free lipo as much as I wanted sucked out of my tummy to be used in the lips! The surgeon I finally did select was actually based more on the referral of a friend of a friend and said the price would be the same with or without a browlift so I decided to get one as surely he knew best. He informed me I needed the trichophytic browlift and not the endoscopic so I did a little research on it but quite frankly didn't realize I was going to be cut clear across the top of my forehead. Ouch. Included in my price for a facelift tuck/brow lift my surgeon reduced my elongated ear lobes from a previous facelift, did chin lipo, and scar revision also from a previous facelift years ago. I got a deal. I think.

The other thing I found interesting in my research was the overnight hospital stay versus twilight sleep or local anesthetic. I was rather concerned about this. What if I woke up during surgery because that had happened to me years ago - I totally remember being wide awake and squirming and the surgeon telling me to keep still so he could finish. Well I had the twilight sleep and this time all I can say is I remember getting on the table and being told I would feel a small sting. The next thing I knew 3 hours had passed and my surgery was over. I was not in pain and I was somewhat talkative and wide-awake and very alert. My friend then drove me to the required hotel stay by the clinic. That night she applied cold compresses to my face and gave me the meds as required. The next morning she drove me to the clinic - I had my tubes removed which was surprisingly painless and my husband drove me home.

Here is what I have experienced in the almost 2 weeks since my surgery - bruising, swelling, tightness, numbness and a bit of depression I think from the pain pills. My neck has hurt but pain pills took care of that dull throbbing ache. As I am almost 2 weeks post-op I will post this today with pictures and update probably in a week or two. My forehead was numb but after one week most of the feeling had returned. No pain or tingling. The top of my head is still a little numb. I had 70 staples removed after 1 week and this did not hurt - just a few of them were a bit ouchy and stung. My eyes blacked in the corners by the nose - the bruising otherwise was not too bad except on my neck. But the bruises are taking a long time to fade and are assorted colors now mostly yellow. I bought some Dermablend and it seems I guessed correctly on the color and tried it on one eye to cover a still blackened area - wow coverss great.

My advice is do not eat solid foods and try not to chew much for several days after surgery. Take pain meds whether you need them or not as a preventative if nothing else. I have never taken a sleeping pill in my life. What I discovered was if you take one you will sleep longer - the second morning I woke up at 3 a.m. and stayed up. Better to sleep in. The hardest part is not turning your head - which I kept doing - you are are supposed to turn your body when you look at someone and talk to them. Most important of all don't read too many horror stories on hematomas especially the ones posted here but I must admit I couldn't stop reading! I think I have read everything that could possibly go wrong on every possible procedure ever performed. At this point I am nervous as I have a stapled area in the back of my neck that is not healing properly - looks like a little hole but I am seeing the doc tomorrow. I did not expect the jaw/neck aching so much. I thought after almost 2 weeks the swelling would have gone down more. I know it is too soon to judge my looks but I'm still a bit misshapen. I have actually been sleeping on the couch sitting up. I tried sleeping in bed this way and found myself laying down in bed sleeping on the side of my face - not good.

I am uploading 4 pictures thus far. The first two pictures were actually the before pictures from 2 local surgeons. Picture 3 is my own before picture. These 3 pictures look different but it is still me none-the-less. Picture 4 was take 10 days after surgery. I hope I look more like myself in a week or two. Thanks to all who have posted on this website thus far - I read everything you wrote. If anyone reading this has had a facelift from a Birmingham, AL surgeon I would love to hear from you privately.

ddlb's provider

Daniel E. Rousso, MD

Daniel E. Rousso, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

ddlb rating for Dr. Rousso:

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 (20)

August 15, 2011
Hi Ddlb!

I'm so glad your facelift worked out so well for you! I'm just startnig to seriously consider this stuff and your post was SOOO helpful! I was reading this article online, trying to find something to help me til i can afford surgery, but all of the medical stuff has got me totally confused. Maybe you can help, since you've done so much research. just wondering if your doctor mentioned any of this stuff. Do you think it would help? http://www.purematters.com/herbs-supplements/b/biotin
August 16, 2011
No biotin was never mentioned. The only supplements I was told about was arnica montana, vit C and bromelain to help with bruising after surgery. I think if there was a pill out there to help with aging it would be the number 1 seller on Amazon instead of the Kindle!
User Avatar
September 21, 2011
I have the same recommendations: bromelian, arnica and vitamin C. I take biotin because it is just plain good for your hair, nails and skin. My ps does not have any contra-indication, but then his concern is about bruising, swelling and a strong immune system. He also suggests you restrict salt/sodium pre-op and post-op.

Personally, I think the Kindle is one of the great anti-aging tools out there. :)
August 16, 2011
Haha, your totally right. If only there were a magic pill for everything! Thanks so much in any case. if I find the fountain of youth in a little bottle, I'll make sure to let everyone here know.
August 16, 2011
you look terrific! really nice and natural!
i am just home from my surgery [fl and upper bleph]. i am so swollen but not too much pain,just tired.can't wait for the massive swelling to subside.i look like spongebob.my doc told me NOT to take arnica or bromelin which all other docs recommend so i'm just here w/my arsenal of painkillers and sleep aides which i don't really need anymore.
anyway,thanks for posting your story.it has been really helpful and you look beautiful.
August 17, 2011
Make sure you let me know when you write your review. I am 2 weeks post-op today. I do get a dull pain that comes and goes on the right side of my neck that Ibuprophen seems to work best for. Also had a staple come out and needed stitches as the area did not heal in the back of my neck and it hurt. But it didn't get infected - just wouldn't close. Feels 100% better now. So outside of that everything is great at 2 weeks. Still numbness and tightness. I do think the type of browlift I had may possibly have less issues than an endoscopic one (not sure though) - regarding arnica montana and bromelin - got both really cheap on Amazon but have no idea if they work! Good luck and let us all see how you are doing. Spongebob - hahahah
User Avatar
August 20, 2011
Hang in there ddlb. I had a face lift and fat transfer in November 2009. I love the results. The numbness and tightness will continue for quite some time but it gets less noticable. I started to get feeling back at about 6 months post surgery. I felt more normal at 9 months post surgery. Occassionally you will have stitches protrude but that is normal so don't worry. Just disinfect toe nail clippers and clip the potrusions and put on an antibacterial cream. I am very happy with my results and it was all worth it. I hope you are happy with your results.
User Avatar
August 20, 2011
Happy healing paige glendower. I had a face lift back in November 2009. I had the biggest part of my swelling go down within 2 weeks of surgery. But it takes 3 - 6 months for all of the swelling to go down. At once point I didn't want the swelling to go away because I was really liking the results. You might want to eat pineapple as that can help with swelling. Good luck.
August 19, 2011
you look crazy good! twenty years younger!
haven't posted review yet,i don't have a camera so i need to have my son help me .anyway,i am a week into healing.not too much tightness but my ears are numb.i am still very swollen but can see glimpses of a good result.yay! a two year decision in the making finally over!i really can't believe it because it is such a huge decision and now we are done! best wishes to you,xoxox.
August 25, 2011
Your l0 day pic looks great - I go in on Sept. 6 for a neck, face, lower and upper eyes with fat transfer. a Bit Anxious but finding this site is great to read everyone's recommendations re: bruising, etc. Did not know about pineapple! My doc gives out a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid for surgery. A friend followed it and had hardly any bruising.
September 21, 2011
Hi,could you let me know what foods doc.recommended for you.p.
User Avatar
September 21, 2011
Mine recommended pineapple and mango. Said to restrict the sodium intake and eat soft food that did not require lots of chewing.
September 22, 2011
Well I was told I could eat anything I wanted. I soon figured out it hurt a LOT if I chewed much after - the jaw. Unfortunately having a healthy appetite most of the time I ate what I wanted - if you can stick to Slim Fast or something liquid and healthy and soup (but not salty as you don't want to hold water).
UPDATED FROM ddlb

Tomorrow will be 7 weeks post-op. I think I look...

ddlb
Tomorrow will be 7 weeks post-op. I think I look pretty good for a 66 year old senior citizen! This is the last picture I will post. I am still numb at the top of my head. My scars are very noticable especially the ones on the back of my neck. My hair appears thinner on top. The side burns hair may grow back - not sure - there is some hair there. I have no jaw or neck pain - no bruising - very little tightness and maybe some very minor swelling. It is still a bit uncomfortable to sleep on side - especially on ears which are still tender. This face lift did not resolve the wrinkles over the mouth (which I knew it wouldn't) but the crows feet look better and the vertical line between the eyes is not as deep. Sometimes my forehead feels like I am lifting my eyebrows in surprise it but I'm not. Bottom line everything is more/less to be expected. I would absolutely recommend my surgeon for you all in the B'ham area.

Replies (42)

User Avatar
September 21, 2011
ddlb--Your seven week photo looks great. You jaw line is so good and your face is not flat--cheeky. Good job by your surgeon and his staff. Sounds like you were a good patient, too, which is a huge component of successful medical care
User Avatar
September 21, 2011
Hi! I'm going to have a facelift and my eyelids fixed and some fat transfer to my face. VERY nervous about going thru the surgery and possible complications and nervous about the outcome.. Would you do it again?
September 21, 2011
i would 100% do it again. i had a smas fl,upper bleph,and fillers done.i stayed at an after care for 2 days and was happy i did. don't bargin shop for your surgeon,only go to the best.my results are very subtle.i had no complications but was swollen longer than i anticipated.there was minimal pain. sometimes i wish it weren't such a conservitive lift and it was more dramatic but all in all i see improvement and look better and feel better about myself.
User Avatar
September 21, 2011
thanks for the info.. I really appreciate it!
September 22, 2011
Absolutely I would do it again! You think YOU were nervous - I was wondering what I was doing right up to when I was getting the IV. I read all the complications and scared myself silly. Imagined everything from being disfigured to having a stroke....but hey everything turned out just fine!
User Avatar
September 22, 2011
those are some of the things I worry about..or some sort of paralysis of my face... I just need to keep investigating and try to figure out who to trust.
September 21, 2011
very painfull wouldnt do again.p.
User Avatar
September 21, 2011
oh no! are you pleased with the results?
September 21, 2011
Hi Pugmomof2, I am 2 weeks postop (do not know how to dowload just yet the pics!) and had fl, bleph upper and lower; necklift and fat transfers....Nothing Hurt; but there is a lot of swelling and bruising which is uncomfortable but not painful. Be careful to choose the most competent doc; get lots of rec's and talk to not only him but his staff; they are a key component to aftercare and give you tips etc. on how it will all emerge.
I have a tendency to headaches and had NONE- considering all the stitches in my head I thought that was a small miracle! I also made sure I talked directly to the anesthesiologist (sp?) and to talk about different options and he was wonderful to me also. Communication is so key; do not let anyone scare you but realize it is not easy - just uncomfortable - with swelling and bruising.
Good luck. Hope you have a positive experience but remember you get what you pay for.
I'd do it again, but probably hide out somewhere other than my home with a girlfriend to talk to and laugh with!
User Avatar
September 22, 2011

Hi Gracieva -- Here's a link to post pics. Hope that helps!

User Avatar
September 21, 2011
Thanks so much for your quick response. I am really trying to investigate doctors because I know how important that is.. This all started because I'm going to my stepson's wedding next month and I wnet to a plastic surgeon for a Juviderm treatment. He told me he didn't think it would help that much because what I really need is a face lift and my eyelids, which I know is really true.. everything is falling at a rapid rate! So, this idea just started a few days ago, all this facelift stuff is new to me, but I know I need it and I am going to do it. Just want to be sure I find the right person.
Thanks for letting me know you really haven't been in pain..just swelling and bruising. I can live with that.
Did you have yours done in a hospital or his office? thanks so much for your advice! pam