54 Year-Old - My Sagging Face Didn't Match My Toned Body! - Cincinnati, Ohio

In my early 50’s, I began to notice that my skin seemed to be sagging – particularly along my jowls and neck. I actually felt like my face did not match my body – as I workout regularly and my body is petite and toned – but no amount of working out or Retin A or Vitamin C and E will fix sagging and wrinkled skin. Plain and simple – you can’t fight gravity! The catalyst for happened when I organized a citywide suitcase drive for the foster children of Hamilton County and I was constantly on camera during the local news. I hated how my face looked, and could barely watch the coverage. I knew that I had to take the plunge and get some professional help from a board certified plastic surgeon.

I chose Dr. Jon Mendelsohn because of his excellent reputation, double board certification, by both the American Board of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, and also because specializes in faces, and has performed an estimated 3,000 facelifts in his career. As with any other type of physician, you want someone who specializes in the type of treatment you are seeking. I also spoke with several friends who had wonderful results with Dr. Mendelsohn’s Advanced Facelift. and who all look very natural and refreshed.

(Note to patients: Ask about the physician’s board certifications, what he or she specializes in and also how many of the procedures you are considering he or she has performed. Also ask for patient references.)

Both Dr. Mendelsohn and his staff were very accommodating and friendly I actually felt right at home immediately in his office. Karen L. at the front desk greeted me by name with a big smile and got me coffee. Mark was very thorough and and made me feel very comfortable when doing my consult and asked me to explain my concerns and what kind of outcome or results I was expecting. Dr. Mendelsohn came in after Mark and put me at an even greater ease reassuring me that the procedure would only take 45 minutes to an hour and that I wouldn't feel a thing. He also did a really cool thing and held up a mirror to show me what my face would look like after the facelift. I teared up and got extremely emotional at that point.

The pre-op was very thorough and Karen W. answered all of my questions and explained what medications to quit taking and gave me my prescriptions and basically helped me gear up in the days prior to my surgery. She also sent me home with a goodie bag of special shampoo and Bacitracin and medical Q-tips which was an added touch - along with a folder explaining everything that she told me in case I forgot!

Dr. Mendelsohn is very caring and compassionate and called me the night before my procedure to make sure I was doing okay. I was actually a nervous wreck, and am glad that he called. My biggest fear was having the procedure done under local anesthesia, and I must say it was a piece of cake. They give you a cocktail of some anti anxiety and pain drugs, and you don’t feel a thing and 45 minutes flies by. I tend to be a big chicken – so if I can do this – anyone can do this! Dr. Mendelsohn talked to me throughout the surgery, explained what he was doing reassuringly, and his two nurses (Vanessa and Jamie) were on hand catering to me as well. I made a playlist in iTunes ahead of time and listened to my “happy music” throughout the procedure and actually tapped my feet. I left after my surgery with a bandage all the way around my head and instructions to come back the following day for removal. I slept most of the day after my surgery.

When returned the following day and he took my bandages off, he held up a mirror for me to take a peak. I immediately started crying because I could not believe how good I looked only one day after. I had minimal bruising and my skin looked absolutely incredible – my wrinkles were gone, my neck no longer had a gobbler and I had a nicely sculpted chin! My face also looked oval again rather than square. I was expecting to look a mess – but the only thing that was a mess was my hair – from being underneath the bandage for 24 hours. I felt like I had witnessed a miracle and thanked Dr. Mendelsohn profusely. I think I may have thanked him for giving me my life back or said something to that effect. I also got to take a shower and wash my hair when I went home that day.

The following week the sutures came out and I actually went out to breakfast at First Watch Rookwood with my mom immediately after they came out. By the end of week three my incisions had just about completely vanished, and I began tucking my hair behind my ears again.

I looked like a “chipmunk” for about a week or so due to swelling, and felt comfortable leaving my house to run errands after a week. By two weeks the swelling had subsided enough that no one but me could notice.

I just had my five-week check up and am totally thrilled with the results. Dr. Mendelsohn said that my incisions had healed nicely and told me that I can ease back into my normal workout routine if I am careful not to jerk around my neck too much.

My results are so natural and I look refreshed and my complexion is glowing. I barely have to wear any makeup at all now since the elasticity is back. It is a wonderful feeling not even having to wear my tinted moisturizer.

I cannot thank Dr. Mendelsohn enough for his professionalism, compassion and willingness to answer any and all questions that came during my recovery phase. He and his staff were very prompt in getting back to me about my concerns, and made me feel like I was their only patient. It also turns out that anything I was experiencing was totally normal, so I can honestly say there were no complications. I have already recommended him to several friends and will continue to do so. I look just so much better than I ever expected and my body and face now match!