Best Investment In Myself I Could Have Made! So Happy!

I had surgery a little over six weeks ago. I chose Dr. Cakmak for a couple of different reasons. First, I wanted a deep plane facelift. I knew this type of facelift provided more natural-looking results, however required a skilled and experienced surgeon since it deals with deeper layers of tissue. After much research, I found that Dr. Cakmak was one of the only doctors in Turkey who specializes in this technique. I am sure there are others, yet I did not want to go to someone who does ‘everything’. I wanted to be sure that this type of facelift is what they are comfortable and confident performing.
The second reason I chose Dr. Cakmak was that, unlike the two other doctors I contacted, he took the necessary measures to make me feel welcomed. He personally responded to my initial message on Instagram referring me to his wonderful assistant, Aysa. After gathering some information, she scheduled a Zoom meeting between me and the doctor. It went very well! I knew he was the right doctor during the call because he spoke about the exact procedures which I had already known I wanted that would best address my concerns. He also didn’t try to sell me more than I needed. I am only 38 years old, and this type of surgery is not usual for someone my age, he told me that. After a little over 30 minutes of discussing my case, I felt assured that my results would be as I was hoping.
Aysa, Dr. Cakmak’s assistant, was amazing. She did EVERYTHING else he didn’t do. She scheduled the appointments, arranged for transportation, sent hotel recommendations (I loved where I stayed), and made sure I was doing well the entire time. Though I traveled from Antalya to Istanbul alone, I did not feel alone.
The reality of the surgery is that it is major. I had quite a few procedures done at once and because of that, the first few days were very difficult. I had a deep plane facelift, temple brow lift, fat transfer to the face and lips, and…rhinoplasty. What I was amazed by was how quickly I did recover given how many procedures I had. To me, this shows the skill of the doctor and the delicacy of his work. My scars are barely visible. Dr. Cakmak does an extraordinary job making the incisions on the periphery of the ear so that there are no marks on the face. He stays inside the hairline and around the ear, so everything is concealed nicely. Six weeks later, I still feel a little numb on the sides of my face and my nose is still swollen, but I know that all of that is completely normal (the nose can take up to a year to fully heal) Healing takes time, especially since I had so much work done.
I couldn’t bring anyone with me to Istanbul, but I was lucky that Dr. Cakmak and Aysa answered my texts immediately and provided me with reassurance during my 8 day stay. I was also grateful for the hotel staff who got my medications (ointment and spray) for me the first night at the hotel, since I didn’t feel comfortable going to the pharmacy, and for all the help with transportation provided by the doctor’s office. These little things done by these wonderful people made the experience much easier.
Now, six weeks later I LOVE my results! I feel so much more confident about how I look. What I love the most is that with each passing day I see more and more of myself coming through. I was worried that the rhinoplasty would change my appearance, but it is so subtle and perfect. I told Dr. Cakmak that I wanted my same nose with a little less bump, and that is exactly what he did. It’s still early in my healing journey, so I know that I have even better results to look forward to. However, if the healing stopped now, I would be very very as happy!
I am beyond fortunate to have found Dr. Cakmak and Aysa.

I was asked to show my incision marks, so here they are. I’m about 2 1/2 months post surgery and I love my results so much. I still feel tight around the sides of my face, but I only notice it when I stretch my neck to the sides. Overall I feel great and love my results so much

These pictures were taken yesterday and today (January 31 and February 1). Overall I am still satisfied with the results. I do have pixie ear which I didn't have before. I have not discussed this with the Dr. Cakmak yet. Sometimes I think that my skin looks droopy, however when I look at my before pictures, I am reminded of what is was like before the operation and realize that it's natural to have laugh lines. I wanted my face to look natural and it does. I will be getting a little botox between my eyebrows to soften my face.
I think I have zero scaring. It only feel a little bumpy behind my ears. I did lose hair where the incisions were for the temple lift, however it has all grown back. I hope this helps those of you who were asking! :)