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POSTED UNDER CO2 Laser REVIEWS

Discouraged. Cincinnati, OH

Name: Discouraged. Cincinnati, OH
Item: Mark Mandell-Brown, MD
Rating: 5
Author: bevyjo

ORIGINAL POST

I had a full facelift with neck liposuction....

bevyjoJanuary 13, 2015

$4,500

I had a full facelift with neck liposuction. Additionally I had co2 laser resurfacing around my mouth. I'm on my 3rd day post op and my mouth is so swollen I can barely get it open to eat or drink. It is still oozing terrible with no signs of healing. From what I've read it sounds like I had a more invasive lasering and the healing time will take longer. I'm trying to be patient,but I haven't seen any improvement in oozing or swelling. I'm following strict Drs orders on spraying my face with luckewarm water and patting Crisco on burned are (yes, Crisco). The Crisco is cheap and soothing.

Can I get some timeline as to when I will finally turn a corner and start healing? I'm feeling very discouraged at the moment.

bevyjo's provider

Mark Mandell-Brown, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

bevyjo rating for Dr. Mandell-Brown:

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Replies (18)

angelita1

January 13, 2015

Please try Aquaphor. It's very soothing. I couldn't leave my house, but my friend went to the store to pick it up for me. I had full face CO2 and I was bloody and oozing and I accidentally scratched an itch under my eye and it opened up and started to bleed. I healed fine within a week. I had to use vinegar soaks (vinegar mixed with water) to remove the Aquaphor several times a day. It smelled terrible, but felt wonderful. Patience is key, do not pick or pull at any flaking skin. Let it come off on it's own. I actually had to use cuticle scissors to cut large flakes of skin. Good Luck

bevyjo

January 14, 2015

When was your surgery? Mine was 5 days ago. Still very swollen. Can open my mouth a bit more. More scabbing now. But I still look like a very scary chipmunk with full cheeks!! Any hope?

angelita1

January 14, 2015

Yes. It will get better before too long. I had it done twice. First was several years ago, my face was bandaged with gauze for 3 days. And u was swollen for a week and red for several weeks. Your skin is rebuilding itself. Rest, drink lots of water and be patient. Your skin will look amazing. Wear sunscreen when healed. I cannot stress that enough. After my first laser surgery I was not diligent about sunscreen and I totally skipped my jaw line. I'm still dealing with hyperpigmentation there 6 years later.

bevyjo

January 20, 2015

Thanks for your response. It's so nice to hear from others who understand.

Atib

January 18, 2015

You are 3 days post op, i wouldnt expect to look ok on the lip area for 2weeks. I think you be ok, keep us posted

ColoradoMaiden

January 24, 2015

Believe it or not my mother used Butter based Crisco for almost everything. Her feet always hurt her and she swore that rubbing them with Crisco and the putting docks on made them feel better. I think I will buy some Crisco next time I shop. I am glad that it helped and u mentioned it.

bevyjo

January 24, 2015

It really is amazing and very soothing!!

debpklake

February 11, 2015

I had the ablative co2 laser around my mouth on January 20th,2015. Never again! I am 3 weeks post op and still have some pain when I try to open my mouth wide. Get's better everyday. Part could be to the lip plumping.

Saskiag

March 28, 2015

I had that same thing ..it took a month before the pain stopped . But then when it healed my god it was totally line free , my upper lip . 8 years ago and the lines are just beginning to come back so will do it again and hide for another month.

UPDATED FROM bevyjo

11 days post

Discouraged round 2

bevyjoJanuary 20, 2015

11 days post op. Skin is healing nicely around mouth. No more oozing. Yay. Still red but I expected that. I had facelift as well and skin is very tight. I have a lump (more like a little shelf) on right side neck area with bruising and lump. (See pic) Dr said it was a hematoma and thinks it will resolve on its own within 2 months. I still look like a chipmunk and I have a crooked smile (see pic) I do not look like myself. I realize it is only 11 days. It I can't help but worry a bit. Still afraid to go out. Will swelling continue to go down daily? And will I get my smile back??

Replies (2)

Atib

January 21, 2015

Oh gosh yes it will, you look good. I have had procedures in the past so I know, lips are sensitive, they swell up easy and knowing you have had CO2 , its normal. Very normal. Just be patient and may be ice it a bit. You be fine.

Saskiag

March 28, 2015

Yes dont worry ... it looks bad now , but you will heal . That haemotoma looks a bit of a worry , they can get rid of it , but it might go away of its own accord when the body absorbs it by itself.

UPDATED FROM bevyjo

13 days post

Getting better

bevyjoJanuary 22, 2015

13 days post op. Still swollen a little like chipmunk cheeks. It is going down little by little. Redness in lasered area is more pink. Skin is very soft and smooth. Left side of neck looking nice!! Nice jaw line!! No problems there!! But then the right side. Still lump and bad bruise. I think (optimism here) it is going down. But I worry when this lump resolves what will skin look like there? Will it be flappy????
I can't wait to get all stitches out, wear make up (and sunscreen) and enjoy my rejuvenated look!!! This is definitely a journey not a marathon as they say....

By the way I am a 60 year old female. I think the longer you wait after 50 the more difficult it is. but. No regrets yet!!

Replies (4)

ColoradoMaiden

January 22, 2015

Ur jawline is amazing. I am thinking of doing laser under eyes or possibly fat grafting there and the lines by my nose. Getting older is the pits. Plz. Keep us posted on ur progress.

bevyjo

January 23, 2015

Make sure you get a great board certified and highly rated PS. The C02 laser is amazing but if PS isn't an expert it could be bad. My results are amazing and will be even more so when swelling goes down more and pink skin subsides which I'm told can be as long as 6 months for full results. Good luck!!!

ColoradoMaiden

January 23, 2015

The PS I am considering is rated one of the best in Phoenix. Thx for the advice

maurdian

November 3, 2015

Just a note of caution ColoradoMaiden, I had CO2 under my eyes a year ago and they were so aggressive with me that, although it did make my eyes less puffy, instead of dark circles, I wound up with red ones that have only a couple of weeks ago begun to fade. Also, my eyesight was negatively affected (blurry vision) for almost a month. Not meaning to be negative....just to share my experience.

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