65 Years Old....Feeling VERY Good.....Silverdale, WA (Neck and Lower Face Lift)

....I feel like a GIRAFFE!! in a very GREAT way.....LOL

I am a 65 year old woman.
I had my surgery on September 30, 2015 in Silverdale, WA.

I want to begin this story with the fact that I had Bell’s Palsy about 30 years ago. The left side of my face did not completely recover. It was more than a year before my speech was understandable on a telephone. It was more than 4 years before I could wear contact lenses again. My recovery was very slow, but all in all I did recover, just not completely. I have residual muscle failure on the left side of my face; at the corner of my mouth, my forehead, so my smile is still a bit crooked, but I can smile. When I am tired it is much more noticeable.
Then many years later, I lost about 60 pounds, not nearly enough, but more than my facial skin could handle. I complained about my neck for quite a few years……I read many stories on Real Self during those years. I finally decided I was going to begin looking (really looking) into a neck lift.
Unlike many of you, I came on the perfect surgeon for me the very first visit. Her name is Jenifer Henderson, MD. She happens to be less than 15 miles from my home in Port Orchard,WA. She has so much experience, is kind and SHE LISTENS!
Due to the previous problem with Bell’s Palsy, I needed to find a surgeon who could deal with the asymmetric issues with my face, hence someone with reconstruction experience. Also, since the Bell’s affected the air flow in my nose, a specialist in Otolaryngology would be a good idea. Dr. Henderson has those credentials and many more…..and SHE LISTENS!
I explained that the years and the weight loss had been very harsh to my neck. In our first consultation, she and I discussed the improvement that could be possible. She was realistic and practical, both of which I really liked. I did not need to look 30, or 40 or even 50…..I simply needed to feel better about my neck. Needless to say, Dr. Henderson did a GREAT job.
After I had mostly healed, and was getting used to how I looked in the mirror, I decided to have some permanent makeup done. I had eyebrow and eyeliner done. Over the years, my eyebrows had all but disappeared, and my lashes were getting minimal, also. Having never worn makeup throughout my life, it was necessary for it not to be ‘surprising’ looking, so I went with light brown on the eyebrows and a bit darker on the liner. I am now using ‘Latisse’ to improve my lashes.
I believe the photos tell the story. I am thrilled with what a WONDERFUL result I received. I waited to write this until I could be sensible in my story, and not sound like a giggly school girl with crush.