POSTED UNDER Deep Plane Facelift Reviews
Great Results, a Wonderful Surgeon - One Very Nervous Woman's Experience
UPDATED FROM viking321
1 month post
PS - a quick note on pain
WORTH IT
Forgot to mention soreness! Funnily enough, at the beginning there wasn’t as much pain as I expected. It was manageable with paracetamol and ibuprofen. A few weeks on, it’s still a bit sore, particularly just in front of my ears, where it’s also still quite numb. Also if I sleep on one side for too long, it starts to ache. Again, I’m assured this is normal and should start to feel better over time.
viking321's provider
ORIGINAL POST
Great Results, a Wonderful Surgeon - One Very Nervous Woman's Experience
I'm 50 years old and recently had a deep plane lower face and neck lift plus an upper and lower blepharoplasty (eyelids/eyebags) and now that I'm almost 6 weeks post-operative, I thought I'd leave a review of how my journey has been so far:
My primary concern was a sagging jawline and jowls and I did a lot of research on surgical vs non-surgical treatments available. The mini-facelift is what I thought I was after as I wanted a natural, long-lasting result.
I found Dr Ali Ghanem via Alice Hart-Davies' Tweakments Guide, which is another trusted and thorough source for information. Ali was warm, friendly and professional from the very beginning: he gave me full details of all the options available, was happy to answer all my questions and concerns and I felt under no pressure to make a decision so I took my time to weigh up the pros and cons of each one and eventually decided on the surgical route.
At the next consultation Ali took photographs and explained in detail what he believed would give me the results I was looking for. Rather than a mini facelift, he recommended a deep plane face and neck lift, which would be longer lasting and would achieve the natural result I was after. Although my lower face was my main concern, he also recommended an upper/lower eye rejuvenation to give a more balanced result. Another huge concern of mine was looking too 'done' afterwards, not looking like me, so that everyone would notice - and he explained that doing the lower half of my face only would make it more obvious. After more thinking time, I agreed.
Day of surgery: I'd say this was the easy bit. I'd been very worried in the weeks leading up to surgery and had many conversations with Ali and his team, who reassured me. On the day, I felt surprisingly calm. Sedation meant I was unaware of the whole operation. I woke up afterwards with my head bandaged, drains either side of my ears and feeling very swollen and heavy. I don't remember much, but my husband was there to meet me and take me home.
Day 1 after surgery: for a few weeks it's recommended that you sleep propped up on pillows which I did, and as a result I didn't sleep too well the first night. (In fact I wouldn't sleep too well for the next week). My face felt hot and swollen and very tight, as if I was wearing a tight strap under my chin. It wasn't pleasant. My eyes also looked a bit frightful as they had stitches all around them (obviously) and I was getting a bruise under one. I felt very groggy and a bit nauseous (I think this was the after effects of the sedative - I'm one of those people that is very sensitive to medication) but otherwise ok. Later that day I went back to the clinic to have my dressings removed and I was astonished to see that my jowls had completely gone. Even with the swelling, the results were clear and I was thrilled!
Days 2-4: If you're planning anything like this, be prepared for some pretty uncomfortable tightness as it gets worse on these days. It sent my anxiety levels sky high at times but I practised meditation and mindfulness to deal with this. I also received a lot of support from Ali and the team - I was offered INDIBA, which is radio frequency treatment to help speed up healing, and can reduce swelling and bruising. The team were always at the end of the phone and Ali texted me regularly to check up on me. I knew it was only going to be temporary so I tried to keep my mind occupied with TV shows, Netflix, audio books and the like, to pass the time. Rest and hydration is also really important at the stage.
Days 5-7: I was very lucky in that I hardly bruised at all from the facelift. And once the stitches in my eyes were taken out I actually didn't look too bad at all as the bruise under my right eye could now be covered with make up. I should say at this stage that with sunglasses on, you really wouldn't know I'd had anything done. There was still a bit of swelling, which would continue for a few weeks, but my husband said he thought I looked great.
The first week is the hardest for sure. My advice during this time is be with someone you trust, get plenty of rest, look after yourself, drink lots of water, be kind to yourself, take short walks, get fresh air when you can and stay in touch with your surgeon for moral support. And ask questions. Let them help you with any concerns, don't try and figure it out yourself.
After the first week, things continued to improve for me. Friends told me I looked really well, my dad asked if I'd lost weight, but nobody seems to be able to pin down what I'd had done.
In a few days, it will be six weeks since my surgery. There's still tightness under my chin, but much less so and this is improving day on day. I'm still numb around my ears where the incisions are and apparently this can continue for a few months. The incision scars are pink but easily hidden by my hair. The scars around my eyes are the worst, they're still quite red but if I cover them with make-up they're invisible. I know these will fade over time and Ali has also offered laser treatment to speed this up.
I've since met up with friends, been to events and seen colleagues and family and no-one has questioned me or looked at me strangely. But I've had a few lovely compliments on how well I'm looking(!)
On the whole, I'm delighted I've done what I've done. I love the results, I love my new jawline and (despite the scars) my eyes look bright and refreshed. I feel like me again. And I couldn't have wished for a better surgeon than Ali, he's so knowledgeable and experienced and he has a reassuring warmth that put me at ease from the word go. His team are a credit to him, and I know if I call them I'm always going to get a friendly, helpful voice at the end of the phone.
If anyone out there is thinking about this kind of thing and, like me, is of a nervous disposition, my advice is be prepared that recovery is not an overnight thing - bruising, swelling, tightness and scarring will take time to go, but the good news is that after the first week, it's likely that only you will notice. And I can highly recommend Dr Ali to help you through the process.
My primary concern was a sagging jawline and jowls and I did a lot of research on surgical vs non-surgical treatments available. The mini-facelift is what I thought I was after as I wanted a natural, long-lasting result.
I found Dr Ali Ghanem via Alice Hart-Davies' Tweakments Guide, which is another trusted and thorough source for information. Ali was warm, friendly and professional from the very beginning: he gave me full details of all the options available, was happy to answer all my questions and concerns and I felt under no pressure to make a decision so I took my time to weigh up the pros and cons of each one and eventually decided on the surgical route.
At the next consultation Ali took photographs and explained in detail what he believed would give me the results I was looking for. Rather than a mini facelift, he recommended a deep plane face and neck lift, which would be longer lasting and would achieve the natural result I was after. Although my lower face was my main concern, he also recommended an upper/lower eye rejuvenation to give a more balanced result. Another huge concern of mine was looking too 'done' afterwards, not looking like me, so that everyone would notice - and he explained that doing the lower half of my face only would make it more obvious. After more thinking time, I agreed.
Day of surgery: I'd say this was the easy bit. I'd been very worried in the weeks leading up to surgery and had many conversations with Ali and his team, who reassured me. On the day, I felt surprisingly calm. Sedation meant I was unaware of the whole operation. I woke up afterwards with my head bandaged, drains either side of my ears and feeling very swollen and heavy. I don't remember much, but my husband was there to meet me and take me home.
Day 1 after surgery: for a few weeks it's recommended that you sleep propped up on pillows which I did, and as a result I didn't sleep too well the first night. (In fact I wouldn't sleep too well for the next week). My face felt hot and swollen and very tight, as if I was wearing a tight strap under my chin. It wasn't pleasant. My eyes also looked a bit frightful as they had stitches all around them (obviously) and I was getting a bruise under one. I felt very groggy and a bit nauseous (I think this was the after effects of the sedative - I'm one of those people that is very sensitive to medication) but otherwise ok. Later that day I went back to the clinic to have my dressings removed and I was astonished to see that my jowls had completely gone. Even with the swelling, the results were clear and I was thrilled!
Days 2-4: If you're planning anything like this, be prepared for some pretty uncomfortable tightness as it gets worse on these days. It sent my anxiety levels sky high at times but I practised meditation and mindfulness to deal with this. I also received a lot of support from Ali and the team - I was offered INDIBA, which is radio frequency treatment to help speed up healing, and can reduce swelling and bruising. The team were always at the end of the phone and Ali texted me regularly to check up on me. I knew it was only going to be temporary so I tried to keep my mind occupied with TV shows, Netflix, audio books and the like, to pass the time. Rest and hydration is also really important at the stage.
Days 5-7: I was very lucky in that I hardly bruised at all from the facelift. And once the stitches in my eyes were taken out I actually didn't look too bad at all as the bruise under my right eye could now be covered with make up. I should say at this stage that with sunglasses on, you really wouldn't know I'd had anything done. There was still a bit of swelling, which would continue for a few weeks, but my husband said he thought I looked great.
The first week is the hardest for sure. My advice during this time is be with someone you trust, get plenty of rest, look after yourself, drink lots of water, be kind to yourself, take short walks, get fresh air when you can and stay in touch with your surgeon for moral support. And ask questions. Let them help you with any concerns, don't try and figure it out yourself.
After the first week, things continued to improve for me. Friends told me I looked really well, my dad asked if I'd lost weight, but nobody seems to be able to pin down what I'd had done.
In a few days, it will be six weeks since my surgery. There's still tightness under my chin, but much less so and this is improving day on day. I'm still numb around my ears where the incisions are and apparently this can continue for a few months. The incision scars are pink but easily hidden by my hair. The scars around my eyes are the worst, they're still quite red but if I cover them with make-up they're invisible. I know these will fade over time and Ali has also offered laser treatment to speed this up.
I've since met up with friends, been to events and seen colleagues and family and no-one has questioned me or looked at me strangely. But I've had a few lovely compliments on how well I'm looking(!)
On the whole, I'm delighted I've done what I've done. I love the results, I love my new jawline and (despite the scars) my eyes look bright and refreshed. I feel like me again. And I couldn't have wished for a better surgeon than Ali, he's so knowledgeable and experienced and he has a reassuring warmth that put me at ease from the word go. His team are a credit to him, and I know if I call them I'm always going to get a friendly, helpful voice at the end of the phone.
If anyone out there is thinking about this kind of thing and, like me, is of a nervous disposition, my advice is be prepared that recovery is not an overnight thing - bruising, swelling, tightness and scarring will take time to go, but the good news is that after the first week, it's likely that only you will notice. And I can highly recommend Dr Ali to help you through the process.
Replies (2)
Dear beautiful fighter. It has been my absolute pleasure to look after you and get to know you better in the process. Thank you so much for your helpful transparent review and huge congratulations on your lovely results. See you soon for the laser
May I enquire what the treatment round the eyes was pls?
Very helpful review of what to expect. Could you DM me pics pls I am interested in this surgeon too. Xx
Very helpful review of what to expect. Could you DM me pics pls I am interested in this surgeon too. Xx
I had an upper and lower blepharoplasty, which involves cutting the skin with a laser, removing excess skin and rejoining with stitches. The stitches are removed after 5 days. Scarring is minimal considering, and is easily disguised with make-up. I'm now three months post-surgery and the scars are virtually invisible. My eyes look more open, more refreshed and I no longer have bags/excessive wrinkles underneath. When I next see Dr Ghanem in a few weeks, he'll redo photographs and I can DM them to you so you can see the improvement close up. If you're considering this surgeon, he has lots of before and after photographs available for you to look at at your first consultation so you can the extent of his work.
Replies (0)