57 Yo Mini Facelift and Breast Implant Replacement - Encino, CA

I wanted to get a facelift and was going to wait until I was 60, but I also wanted to have my breast implants replaced that I've had for 12 years (no problems, but I think of this as preventative maintenance) My job is fairly physical and I'm at my target weight, and when I'm running around on a job site I appear younger, but invariably the guys will get around to asking me how old I am. After years of working out in the elements my face is pretty beat up. Women are judged by the way they look, and if you look old you are perceived as being senile or incompetent.This isn't fair, but that's just the way it is, so I thought of "having some work done" as an investment in my career.

I first went to the doctor who did the implants, but his price for a mini facelift and implant replacement was about a third of our income for the year! I went for a consultation with Dr Younai and his price came in less than 2/3rds of the first quote. After having the surgeries done I think the lower price in no way reflects on the quality of the work. Their office is beautiful office staff is friendly and professional, and Dr Younai is relaxed, personable and answered all my questions.
My surgery was early in the morning on New Year's Eve. Afterwards I took a pain pill and went to sleep and when I woke up I had extra pain on the left side of my face. I had developed a hematoma even though I had avoided aspirin, garlic, fish oil, vitamin E etc etc. for 10 days before. My skin is thin and I bruise fairly easily. I went back to the facility and Dr Younai immediately expressed the blood and wrapped my head up. Two days later I removed the wrapping temporarily to wash up and fix my hair. Even with the swelling and bruising (which was not as bad as I thought it would be) I can see that I look at least 10 years younger. This has done wonders for my self confidence, because I was really stressing out about looking old.
I feel there are many women in the same boat, whose self esteem and job prospects are suffering because of looking old, who can't afford expensiveprocedures. Although I am still in the recovery stage, I'd like to say thank to Dr Younai I'll post pictures of my final results in a few months

The first 3 days were the hardest, my husband took care of things so I could rest, and brought me soup, water, books, etc and made sure I took my pills on schedule. 5 days later I went for my first post op, and the doctor said it was ok to shower, I washed the blood out of my hair and from around the stitches. Saw my breasts for the first time, since the first implants I had in 2002 they have always looked fake, but now they look full but natural.
Yesterday I put on some makeup to camoflage the bruises and went to pick up my grand daughter at her after school program. The new girl behind the desk thought I was Lillys mother! I can't put a price on what an improvement in my self confidence and outlook on life this has made.

Swelling has gone down so I have a preview of the final results. The skin is a little more lax than I thought it would be, but still 100% better than it was pre surgery. I will wait about a year and have Ultherapy done, which should take up the rest of the slack :) I had it 2 years ago and it does a better job of tightening and thickening loose skin than Thermage or Refirme for the price. I think I am like a lot of women who maybe feel a little guilty about spending money on themselves, but I think about it this way. If a guy has an old car they love, they will spend money getting it a paint job, new upholstery, or getting the engine rebuilt. I drive a 1995 Honda Accord (which is an amazing car) and put money into it to keep it running like a top. I don't buy expensive clothes, purses, jewelry etc, so this is how I choose to spend my discretionary funds, and if people want to judge me shallow because of that, well, you know what they say, the people who matter don't mind, and the people who mind don't matter. Go for it!