I Can Look in the Mirror Again!

I am 51 years old and have spent several years chasing my aging face with fillers, lasers, Botox and peels. After my last filler experience ( with a different provider) I realized that I had pushed it too far and was starting to look distorted and puffy. I spent several months visiting different doctors. I was looking for someone that only did facial work. I went to see very well know and “Instagram” famous plastic surgeons. It wasn’t until I went to see Dr. Gangnes that I was ready to schedule my procedure. He was the only Dr. that looked at my entire face and not just the quick lower facelift procedure. He explained everything and why he was recommending additional procedures, fat transfer and temple lift. I am so thankful he took that approach, I am certain that I wouldn’t have been happy with the quick lower lift.
The procedure ...well it is NOT just in and out and you are back in two weeks. I had a lower lift, neck lift, fat transfer and temple lift. The only time I had real pain was the first night. I am glad he had me stay in the after care facility for the night. My head was wrapped and swollen and the pain in my temples was worse than I expected.
The next morning when the wrap was removed I took the pain medication and the temple pain was fine after that. I had a reaction to the antibiotic cream that was put all over my face, neck and incisions- it felt like my skin was on fire. This I understand, is not normal. I am 2 months post op and my skin is still pretty red and still burns in places. I think it also made my incisions irritated and slowed the healing process.
I had expected this to be two weeks recovery and I would be back to “normal”. This was not the case, at least for me. The swelling and numbness can be overwhelming at times. At two months my ears, chin and head are still numb. While this doesn’t hurt, it is not comfortable and you don’t feel like yourself. I am thankful that I was able to do this during a time that I am working from home. I don’t think I would have been ready to go back to work in 2 weeks, which would have been my plan.
I go in for my two month follow up next week and I am hoping that there will be a solution for my skin. It’s not unbearable but a resolution would be nice.
I am worried about the scars but the doctor assured me that they will be fine. He hasn’t disappointed me yet so I trust that.
Bottom line? Having all these treatments together isn’t easy. The recovery is much slower than I expected but 100 percent totally worth it! I will talk to my friends on FaceTime again - I don’t mind the zoom calls with video on. I can look in the mirror and feel good about what I see. Dr. Gangnes gave me back what years had taken from me. The appearance of my face is better than I imagined (the recovery is not).
If you hate what you see, do your homework and have this procedure.

This is two months after the procedure. Still numb on top of head - down the side of my face by my ears and under my chin. I still have swelling under my chin and that area still feels tight. Had scars looked at today and he injected some steroids to help soften them. Maybe do c02 treatment a month from now.

I didn’t heal like I had expected, most likely due to the allergic reaction to the antibiotic cream. I would still have it done! The scars have been the worst part. I don’t think most people would notice but I am still very much aware of them.