POSTED UNDER MACS Facelift REVIEWS
Facelift & upper Bleph for Hereditary Problems - Cincinnati, OH
ORIGINAL POST
I'm 43yrs old. I have had droopy eyes and a...
tehyajDecember 13, 2013
WORTH IT$11,000
I'm 43yrs old. I have had droopy eyes and a double chin most of my life regardless of my weight, even got made fun of for it as a kid. The biggest I have ever been was at the beginning of this year at a size 12. I've lost 45lbs this year and now on top of the double chin/jowls, I have a turkey wattle and my neck has wrinkles from all the loose skin. I finally gathered the courage and funds, and I plan to bring in the new year with a new me! I am also a smoker, and just started taking Chantix to ease the pain of quitting. It's going to be hard, but I have too much on the line here to be taking chances, so I will finish the pack I have and that's it.
I'm so excited, but I'm also terrified my face will look unbalanced with my fat cheeks once the chins and jowls are gone.
I go back to the PS on Thursday but plan to go shopping this weekend for some supplies, what things did you find the most helpful in your recovery?
I'm so excited, but I'm also terrified my face will look unbalanced with my fat cheeks once the chins and jowls are gone.
I go back to the PS on Thursday but plan to go shopping this weekend for some supplies, what things did you find the most helpful in your recovery?
Replies (6)
December 15, 2013
You have seen how badly I bruised. I am using Arnica as well and taking Bromelin supplements. I think both help. I think the "fat cheeks" will help because we tend to look "hollow" as we age. If you have a lot of wrinkles you might consider having the Fraxel laser while you are "under." I didn't mind the recovery as my PS placed a dressing over my whole face (except eyes) that really helped with the discomfort of the laser. It does a wonderful job of improving laxity, removing wrinkles and increasing collagen production. You see great results initially but the true improvement is seen over the next several months. I hope this helps.
December 15, 2013
I don't really have wrinkles so much, just lots of extra skin and fat! I do have sun damage though. The "wrinkles" you're seeing in the eye picture are marks from my reading glasses :)
December 16, 2013
Tehaj - sleep upright and stay away from salty foods (to reduce swelling), icing every 2 hours, drink loads of water or pineapple juice, fresh is best (bromelain), take arnica tablets and apply arnica to bruises, take a walk out in fresh air for 1/2 an hour daily (helps with circulation) and general wellbeing. Be patient, i.e. you will go through various phases and you will look worse on some days and better on others. Some are lucky (if its to be believed ;) and could hit the 'red carpet' in 10 days. They are the lucky few. Majority of us will look like gargoyles for at least 3 weeks at best and 3 months at worst (an exaggeration, perhaps :) Hope all goes well for you and Good luck with your surgery! DH

December 17, 2013
Thanks for starting your story on RealSelf! Here's a list of facelift supplies you might find helpful. Good luck quitting smoking! I have no doubt you can do it if you set your mind to it. Please keep us updated on how it's going.
UPDATED FROM tehyaj
6 days pre
A week from now...
tehyajDecember 23, 2013
I will be recovering from surgery and I'm more nervous than ever. When I first saw the PS he said lower facelift and didn't describe exactly what that would entail. By the time I went for my pre-op appointment I was much more informed and asked specifically what he would be doing. Long story short, I'm getting a MACS lift. I have read those don't address the jowls/neck much and since that's what prompted me to go see him to begin with, I'm really worried I won't get the results I was led to expect. This doctor has a good reputation and I hope I'm just being paranoid!
Replies (7)
December 24, 2013
Your pre-op jitters are perfectly normal. Unless you have 100% faith in your surgeon and in the procedure and its what you want, don't go through with it.
Can you talk/meet an ex patient of his who's had the same procedure? It may help allay your fears. All the best DH.
December 28, 2013
I bought both, hylands brand

December 29, 2013
Hi Tehyaj! I went for Pre op consultation and my PS gave me a box containing 3 bottles of a Recovery support program (I will start before surgery), arnica montana, skin cleanser to use the night before and the day of the surgery, a scar cream, Bromelain and also I will have a deep facial 2 weeks before surgery. I really don't know if all the doctor's take care of those details. Wishing you GOOD LUCK! I'm scheduled for January 31st, so excited and nervous already!!!
December 29, 2013
Wow I don't know I'd that's common but I don't think so. Sounds like your doctor is very thoughtful!
December 28, 2013
I ordered a kit from "Make Me Heal" which had a 15-day supply of the Arnica pellets, which Dr. Harley recommended. I also purchased the cream to use after the surgery. "Make Me Heal" website has several items for use after a lift. I think the Recovery Kit is under $25.00. Like I said, I'm a bruiser and had very little with the Arnica and I am a firm believer in it. Best of luck
December 28, 2013
Hmm I just bought separately at a health food store, and paid about $20 total for a good sized tube of the cream and 250 Arnica tablets.
Replies (3)