Getting Ready - Costa Rica, CR

I'm sorry about these issues you are having. Are you going to see someone to take out the remaining stubborn stitches at corner of eye and behind ears. You must be a tough girl putting up with those stubborn sticklers all these months. All that aside, you look gorgeous.

Your a very beautiful and strong woman. I know you will find a way to resolve any issues you are having. You have gained a lot of support from ladies on RS.

you look beautiful. can I ask what you had done? I see neck lift, did you have lower face? I can't find any information on what the cost was for this MD. Would you be comfortable sharing, including airfare, hotel, etc? thanks,

I noticed you changed your setting at the top of page from 'worth it' to 'not sure'. Are you regretting going to CR for this procedure? I understand your dissatisfaction with the remaining sutures...and even though you are dissatisfied with your neck, I have to say it looks lovely to me. I don't recall seeing any 'before surgery' pics, so in that aspect I can't compare before/after. Dr. Arguello did offer to do a revision on your neck. Do you not want to go back to him for the revision?...and if you did you'd still have to pay hotel, airfare, etc. Taking that into account, there are pros & cons to the situation. Based on other reviews, Dr. Arguello's neck lift has always been highly praised. Let us know what you decide.

Mandy, Dr. Arguello doesn't use absorbable sutures in the eyes at all. He uses the regular black sutures. If you can actually see a black spot chances are maybe a regular stitch might be left but he uses a running stitch so when they were removed there was just a long single thread. The loop of suture is fastened at couple locations along its course by small knots. Dr . Arce removed mine by cutting the knots then removing the whole thing in one long strand. I have some puckers and bumps along my incisions but Dr. A told me to massage the eye incision several times a day and they will smooth out. What you might be experiencing is wayward growing eyelashes...it might look like a stitch but could be hair. I have a couple of goofy growing eyelashes on my lowers. At first I thought it was stitches but doc said absolutely not. .Maybe when you see your eye doctor he can look under magnification to determine what it is.

You are awesome. It's hard asking for help even from a doctor. I am going to be in that same state of vulnerability when I head down in September. I will have learned so much from your experiences and those of the other fabulous women on RealSelf. It's a blessing

I was very close to having fl/nl done in CR. I decided not to. I have realized during the past months since that I made a good choice. Three weeks of follow is simply not enough after such an extensive procedure. Yes, you pay more in US, and yes things can go wrong wherever you are. But it is a great comfort to have your surgeon at your beckon call and follow up is a very important element in this process. Good luck with your revision decision.

It's my understanding that if a doctor performs platysmaplasty, then it's either done with a lateral pull (pulling neck muscle back on each side and tightening). I've read that this technique is not the best because the frontal neck bands can start re-appearing within a couple months due to movement of neck causing laxity within.
The other platysmaplasty technique (called corset platysmaplasty) is suppose to provide better tightening because the platysma muscle is stitched up the middle in order to smooth the bands, creating a smooth profile of the neck. Not all doctors perform the corset method...it just depends on what the doctor prefers.

So, Bennie, it appears there are 2 ways to approach an "issue". The first is to bring it up on RS to get feedback about whether it is something that happens to most neck surgery post ops or to dismiss as an aesthetic No Big Deal. The other approach would be to constantly praise your PS in every comment and Update, giving no hint that you have an "issue" and then to show back up in CR posting an Update on your Revision leading folks to say "Whaaaat? You're having a revision? Really? Funny but you never once mentioned anything other than being perfectly happy with perfection. Personally I like your approach.

Hi! Thankyou so much for your update.
I, too need a lot of work on my " turkey neck." and I hope the results turn out too. Would you please post before/ after photos so we can all see the difference?
I am happy to hear that Sr. Arguello stands by his work, and will do revisions as necessary. That's a relief to me, even though I live in Ontario Canada!
I will be following your healing have n, and thanks again!

I had my lower face and neck fixed 3 months ago and have a little coming back as well but not to that extent. Where were your incisions? Mine are front and back of ears and in the back hairline. I did not have the under chin incision because my doc didn't feel that is was needed and I agree. I woukd send a photo to your doc.

You look fine. Just give it all time to settle and stop looking for problems. Your results are good!

Hey...we were in the same Real Self Group going thru our surgeries at the same time. And following each other (well I was following you:-).
I think when people post things such as 'you look fine' 'don't worry' etc. they are basically just trying to be helpful & encouraging. Having said that...if you feel that your results are less than what was promised (promised being the big thing here) than maybe you should approach your PS for a partial refund. And have a revision closer to home when you are ready.
I for one understand your not wanting to travel to CR again. I have to admit I was in awe of you & the other ladies who opted for that...I could never have done that.
I also had a neck lift & the cords in my neck were my main concern. So I do understand why you are upset. I would be as well.
Cheers,
Sandy.

Those neck bands are tricky, and good results are rare. Candace Bergen never got rid of hers, and neither did Andrea Mitchell! My ps said he wasn't messing with them because my skin was too thin and I wouldn't have a good result. THREE other ps's over the last 35 years happily took my money and totally failed to get any kind of result! You were adorable even badly bruised, but now you look super! Congrats on getting a great result!

They don't look too bad that I can from your pictures but it doesn't matter what I think it only matters what you think if it truly bothers you then you should have a revision are you happy with everything else ?