Deep Plane Facelift/necklift, CO2 Laser - Dallas, TX

Hard to know where to start...I am 50 years old and have wanted to do since I lost 80 pounds 6 years ago. All the weight loss and being in my mid 40's really did a number on my skin. I had a Tummy tuck in June 2013 and LOVE IT! In fact, I went in for my initial consultation for my facelift, but my friend said, "Ask him about a tummy tuck...you hate your stomach." So... I found my PS so down to earth and fun, that I just connected with him and scheduled a tummy tuck for a few months later. He has a quiet confidence about him and he doesn't try and sell you procedures. He listens to you and then repeats what you have said to make sure he is hearing you. Then, he tells you what he thinks and it feels more like a collaboration rather than a sales pitch.
I was originally scheduled for Oct 6th for a deep plane facelift, neck lift and lower Bleph. I was so overcome with anxiety I canceled the morning of the surgery!...I know, but I just freaked out. My PS was so chill and cool about the whole thing. I called him at home at 5:30 am and he just said, "No worries, come in when you can and we will reschedule." So pleasant...
So, back to what I hate about my face...lol...It's what we all hate when we wake up and look in the mirror...the loose neck skin, the jowls, the rough skin texture, the feeling that our faces are sliding down our bodies...I don't feel 50, I feel 35...I eat right for the most part, don't exercise as much I as should, work like a demon, don't smoke and drink occasionally. I don't want to look "old", so, I shouldn't have to...I figure I can take about 10 years off (secretly wishing for 15 years) but will be happy with 10 :)
Neither my father nor my mother aged that well. So, genetically, I am screwed...lol. However, I have the resources to get this done. Yay! I have had botox (love it) and fillers (love) and have had a CO2 laser done about 18 mos ago and after the very uncomfortable recovery I loved that as well.
I rescheduled my surgery for 12/3 at 10am. I have been going to hypnotherapy and having biofeedback for the last two weeks so I can get this done. I know some of you will think I am nuts, (probably am), but it has helped. I went to a fully licensed therapist and loved her. So peaceful and positive and helpful. It is all about the power of positive thinking. I have CD I listen to every night that helps me relax and it is all about deep breathing and how to relax before surgery. I believe we should all do whatever helps to get us through this very daunting experience. I am less than 48 hours away and feel very calm about my upcoming surgery. Can I say I am 100% fear-free? No, but I would say 80% and that's a heck of a long way from where I was.
I think the things that are feeding my anxiety is the numbness, tightness and swelling after a face and neck lift. Well, here's what I have learned: I am still numb after my tummy tuck. Can't feel a thing over my hips and below my belly button; tightness? Well, that is what I am after, right?" and as I age it will all become loose again, lol, so be thankful for tightness; Swelling? I still have some swelling after my tummy tuck--just on one side and is not noticeable to anyone but me. I read on this site somewhere that 80% of all swelling is resolved in the first 2 weeks and the remaining swelling resolves for the most part by 8 weeks. So, if I still have some swelling for 6 months it won't be enough to make a huge difference and I will need to focus on the positive. This is a choice I made. No one is forcing me to do this. I want to look my best as I age and I have fully prepared myself as best I can. All I can do is think positive and remember how bad the recovery was from my tummy tuck...if I got through that I can get through anything. That was pain like no other, except for birthing a 10 pound baby (which I have done)...haha!
No longer having the lower bleph as my PS thinks I don't really need it right now. He has talked me into a full face laser again to improve/remove my wrinkles and skin texture. I have had that done and the recovery is hard, but I loved the result.
I hope this all helps anyone who is thinking about having this done. I have gained so much insight from this site and have loved reading and seeing all the other ladies and their progression. Thanks to all the others who have been kind enough to share their experience. You all are the reason why I have decided to share as well.

See comment below...sorry, high on Valium right now..

CindyLouHoo
2 seconds ago


I am home, Stayed overnight at the "hotel" at the surgical center. It was $650 for the night and completely not worth. Once the nurses found out my partner was a nurse we didn't see much of them for the rest of the night. No hot food, my partner had to leave for 1/2 to go find something hot to eat. Anyway, surgery was five hours for deep plane face lift, neck lift and FraxelCO2 laser. I have dressings on that make me look like one of those Mexican masked wrestlers from Nacho Libre, lol...I feel okay except the bottom of my neck hurts and so does the base of my in the back. Also my ears are aching. This morning the Dr came by and told me everything went great, but he had to pull me extra tight because I so much extra skin in by turkey neck area. Said I was in the top 10% of hard cases...funny. Then his staff came by changed all the dressings adn washed my hair, and replaced my occlusive face dressings and gave me a chin strap. My eyes are very swollen front the Laser. He popped some of the veins in my eyes because he didn't realize how superficial my upper eye veins were, so I ave bilateral black eyes. My lips are extremely swollen as well. Look like Angelina Jolie...haha! That won't last long. I think my ears bother me the most. I don't feel that tight under my neck because he doesn't pull tight right over my thyroid notch, so I don't have that strangling feeling. Yay! I didn't look at my face when they took the dressings off because I didn't want to be disappointed. My partner just stood and said, "Wow!" so I guess that was good. I have lots of bruising on my neck because my PS said her ran into unexpected fat pads under my chin. I will try and post a picture later but I took a Valium and am beginning to not make sense. Later ya'll...xoxo