POSTED UNDER SMAS Facelift Reviews
58 Y/O SMAS Face and Neck Lift, Lower Bleph and CO2 Laser Tomorrow
ORIGINAL POST
58 Y/o SMAS Face & Neck Lift, Lower Bleph & CO2 Laser
debrajo61July 28, 2019
WORTH IT
After months of research and consultations I am now scheduled for surgery in two days. To say reality is sinking is is an understatement. I'm ready, but have to admit, pretty anxious as I write this. The past few years I feel like I've aged considerably, a combo of age, genetics, sun exposure, and definitely stress. I'm very comfortable with the surgeon I've chosen, and looked specifically for a board certified facial plastic surgeon. Posting a few before pics and will update as things progress. Wish me luck and send some good vibes in the meantime. I've learned so much from so many of you.
debrajo61's provider
UPDATED FROM debrajo61
3 days post
This stuff isn't for woosies!
debrajo61August 2, 2019
I'm about 72 hours post surgery and things have not been easy but are progressing. Swelling today seems worse than yesterday, with one side more so than the other. I've also got a subconjectoval hemorrhage in one eye which apparently is not uncommon with blepharoplasty. I was taking hydrocodone every 4 hours the first 24 hours but have switched to x strength tylenol every four hours, and alternating with 1/2 tab of hydrocodone every third dose. The side effects of the hydrocodone are horrible but after taking laxative last night I do feel much better in that regard. TMI... sorry. The pain is in my neck, chinand up behind ears. Extremely tight. Cetaphil wash, vinegar soak, aquaphor every four hours. Wearing chin strap most of the time. I showered and washed my hair today. My stitches are looking good. Hubby is taking care of those with peroxide cleansing. Still alot of tightness opening my mouth so I've been on a soft diet and will keep that up today. Hoping that I turn the corner a bit over the weekend with swelling and that the skin begins to crust and heal from the laser. This is no walk in the park let me tell you. Stay tuned, and feel free to give me any feedback.
Replies (5)
August 3, 2019
I’m in Day 9 and feeling much better. Lots of bruising and still more puffy than swollen. Huge difference in how I feel between days 7 and 8. I’m intentionally taking easy however. Waited too long to mess this up by overdoing now. I can wait 2 weeks to do much of anything.
So no worries! You’ll see a huge difference by 7 days
So no worries! You’ll see a huge difference by 7 days
August 3, 2019
Updated pics please. So excited for you
I’m 61 and want to have the same procedures
I’m 61 and want to have the same procedures
August 3, 2019
Today is Sat, surgery was four days ago (Tues). I'm finally beginning to dry and start to slough/peel from the laser. Last night was so horribly crazy itchy I was going crazy. I took Benadryl which seems to help with both itchiness and sleep. Still taking tylenol every 4-5 hours, and will take 1/2 hydrocodone before bed tonight in lieu of tylenol, as well as 2 benedryl (hoping to sleep better). I've been using a wedge pillow with a pillow on top of it, so I've been elevated at all times. Have not been icing since the first day. Stitches are looking good with no dried blood or crusties around them thanks to hubby keeping them clean. My left side of mouth has a bit of a noticeable droop which I hope corrects itself as swelling goes down. The swelling is about the same today. The one eye is still completely red with hematoma. Noticing bruising on my neck now as well as under my eyes. The discomfort and tightness is in neck, chin and back of ears and mainly bothers me as meds wear off. Otherwise it's manageable. Eating was a little easier today than yesterday but still nowhere near normal. Drinking lots of water, low salt diet (low fat yogurt, blueberries, pineapple, fruit smoothies, scrambled egg, toast, oatmeal, jello, frozen yogurt, etc) and just laying low. I can't wait to stop the vinegar soaks as they are aggrevating the itchiness now that I'm beginning to peel. I think tomorrow will be the last day I do those. Today I showered again and let tepid water flow over my face for a few minutes after washing with Cetaphil. Got all of the yucky grease out of my hair and gently blew my hair dry. I did send pics to my Dr. yesterday asking about the swelling, he said all normal, which I assumed, but it's nice to have reassurance. I'm still very early in the recovery process so I know i just need to be patient. Dr. and others say don't look in the mirror. Hahaha. Sort of hard not to do that when you are washing/vinegar soaking/aquaphoring 4x a day.
August 5, 2019
Did you have your lips done as well or are they just swollen from the face lift?
August 5, 2019
They are swollen. Actually I'm having an issue with one side of my lower lip drooping when I smile. I've asked Dr about this and was told it should resolve as swelling and numbness go down. I sure hope so.
August 5, 2019
You definitely do have to wait a few weeks before you can make a judgement about whether your face is symmetrical. It took me at least a month as I was a bit lopsided before that. Each side does heal differently. I’m absolutely symmetrical now but definitely not to start with.
August 5, 2019
Thanks sooo much for sharing. I had basically the same surgery as you on July 29th, but also had a platysmaplasty done also. Your photos and sharing have calmed me down a bit, as I guess I underestimated the recovery time with all that I've had done and the way I'd look after surgery. My eyes are red and runny and irritated which I hope goes away soon. Please keep us updated. DH65
UPDATED FROM debrajo61
6 days post
Six Days Post Op Update
debrajo61August 5, 2019
I can't believe it's been almost a week already. Things are going as they should with the only exception (which is stressing me but I also realize it's VERY early to stress about) being the issue with my one side of my mouth drooping when I smile. It seems to also affect my spee h a little. The only person who has seen me is my husband and he is gauging this also, and I'm taking pics for reference. I did send my Dr. photos of my smile yesterday and he said it could take a few weeks for this to get back to normal. Unfortunately with all of the good progress I keep stressing on this aspect. I've been eating well (I should have lost weight ha) and have constantly been upright. I'm now finished with the vinegar soaks and almost all of my lasered (or should I say lizard) skin has come off. New skin is very pink. I'm using a bit of aquaphor mixed with a moisturizer to keep things moist. Not as much aquaphor as I was before I lost my skin. The eye hemorrhage is still bright red but I am not too concerned about thst, I know it will heal in time. Not much bruising on my neck, just a little, but under eyes are still bruised. Swelling is going down. I'm getting super antsy being "still" but I know it's for the best so I continue to take it very easy and luckily my husband can and will do anything. He's been great. I'm still taking x-strength Tylenol a couple times a day because I am still so tight. Not pain but it does get uncomfortable. I have not been wearing the chin strap since day 3, it drove me crazy. I've read mixed Dr. comments on this and don't think it will hurt anything, just may take longer for swelling to go down. Adding a couple more pics for your viewing enjoyment lol.
Replies (4)
August 5, 2019
I think your looking sooo good. Your neck and jawline look amazing. Keep healing Thanks for update. Can’t wait to see when your all healed , very pretty
September 10, 2019
I'm six weeks out and it's taking awhile! Still think I've got some swelling and definitely numbness.
August 7, 2019
Thank you. Each day there is progress. Going on Friday to get stitches out and will discuss the slight palsy droop in my lower lip. I've read lots on here and Dr. Google and believe the nerve is bruised but will heal in time. I've been a bit hung up on this, although rare, it's possible, and I'm proof of it. I still have a ways to go with swelling. Patience.... Thanks for the compliment.
August 19, 2019
You can already tell such a difference! I think you will be very happy with your results.
Replies (5)