Age 57 Lower Facelift with the Amazing Dr Smoot

I am first of all sharing this story in gratitude for the women before me who were not afraid of showing the good, the bad and everything in between. So many people I know are afraid to talk about the "work" they have had done. I did my research and chose Dr Smoot from the La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre. I am less than 3 weeks out and already seeing the healing process begin to show the results, although I know it will be months to a year before the final effect comes through. I am 57, and felt like my sagging jowl line was making me look older than I felt. I had a few consultations, and when I met Dr Smoot and visited the LJCSC, I knew I found where I wanted to have my procedure done. The first visit was a virtual video visit due to Covid. After that my in person visit, where we finalized the plan of lower facelift, fat transfer, Upper blepharoplasty and lower eye fat removal. I also had some earlobe reshape/reduction. From the first visit all the way through the procedure I trusted the team explicitly. Everyone was very thorough. The day of surgery I went in and was marked up, and sent home with full bandages (even over my eyes). The next day I went in and had the bandages removed. A week later I went back in for a suture removal. I have a 3 week follow up tomorrow. The biggest fear for me were the scars around my ears before the surgery-I just felt they would be very obvious. It's too early to tell how they will finish healing, but I've been pleasantly surprised. I can't believe what a difference in vision the upper eyes had; it feels like going from a 25" TV to a 50" TV; my field of vision really improved although before the surgery I didn't realize what I had lost. I have a great group of supportive and inquisitive girlfriends who supported me throughout, as well as an amazing husband who took excellent care of me after the procedure. I will keep updating over the next couple of months.

I am 7 weeks post op, and could not be happier with the results. I've had a few people tell me that they don't really see too much of a difference-I take that as a huge compliment because I didn't want to look different, only better and more refreshed. The sides of my face along my ear line is still numb, as are my eyelids and eyelashes. When I put mascara on it's such a weird sensation. I'm not sure if all of my fat transfers held, or if the swelling has just gone down a little. The surgeon warned me the fat transfers do not always hold. I preferred the transfer to the fillers I've had in the past.

I am now 19 weeks post op. I had a Halo laser treatment a few weeks ago as a final touch to even out my sunspots and sun damage. I am so happy with my lower facelift. I feel like I no longer look tired all the time. My eyelids are no longer numb, and most of the feeling on the sides of my face has returned. Since I chose a conservative lower lift, I know there will be more surgery in my future, but I prefer to do just small steps at at time. I am so happy I had this surgery!