64 Years Old, Facelift, Neck Lift, and Eyes - Mexico

Although I used to look younger than my years, within the past few years I have developed a significant amount of fat and drag around my neck and jowls. I consulted several well-respected plastic surgeons in the Sacramento region and discovered that a facelift would cost me around $17,000. Plus there was the question of aftercare. I am single and the surgeons proposed that I would be dropped off at their outpatient clinic and picked up by family or friend – who would care for me after surgery for the first 24 hours (lots of attention needed) and then help me return for a check up and to take the sutures out. None of these doctors seemed to understand that that was a bit much to ask of a medically inexperienced friend or relative. That is when I started to look into medical tourism. I realized I needed not only a top notch plastic surgeon but also a place to recuperate where I would be looked after by an experienced staff. Of course there are excellent plastic surgeons in Thailand, Brazil etc. but I didn't want to go so far from home. FaceliftMexico.com offered what I needed at a much lower price than what I would spend in the U.S. Dr. Koelliker's credentials are posted online, and his reviews are excellent - and I am super impressed with his skill and his kind bedside manner. Casa Marino provides a beautiful, comfortable, and medically safe environment for recovery. During the four days I was in the hospital the doctor checked on me at least four times a day. Before surgery I had my EKG and my blood work and my medical condition redone and double checked by internist at the hospital – Dr. Manuel…(didn't catch his last name). They are very careful that you are not at risk for the surgery. The hospital was super clean and the nurses were very attentive – the food was good too! When it was time to have the sutures taken out Dr. Koelliker drove to Casa Marino and took care of that there. He was available by phone from Casa Marino 24/7. I feel that I received the best possible surgical and post surgical care. That said, it is good to gauge your level of confidence and experience before traveling to Mexico. The service I received was seamless - from airport to airport - but you will see half finished houses and beggars and some level of poverty which can be unsettling if your only experience traveling is to 4-star destinations. Watch your wallet - This isn't Beverly Hills or Monterey, but it is travel to a beautiful part of Mexico where you will get much more attentive care than you would ever get in the US!
Dr. Koelliker is a conservative surgeon - go elsewhere if you want to look like a plastic babe. Some people bruise less than others – as it turns out, I am someone who has bruised a lot – no fault of the doctor it is just the way my body is. So, I'm glad that I have a month off work to not only lessen the bruising but also the swelling. I went with a friend and she looks great – almost ready to appear in public where as I am still very bruised. It all depends on your own body.
We rested for three days at Casa Marina and then had fun exploring San Miguel de Allende. It is a beautiful, beautiful city – if you are a foodie you will love it! And if you're fan of Spanish architecture you will love it too.

I don't have any area photos of my neck before the surgery. But believe me I had jowls and a huge fatty neck. The incision behind my years is completely hidden by my hairline, but the incision is a U-shape going from my earlobe around my ear. Sorry if these photos come out upside down – they were right side up on my iPad (?).