Facelift Journey: From Initial Surgery to Realizing Revision May Be Needed

I debated sharing this for a long time because it is personal and difficult to talk about, but I feel it is important for other patients to have a complete picture when researching surgery.

I traveled from Canada to Tijuana, Mexico for a facelift performed by Dr. Flores Valdivia. While the procedure itself initially seemed uneventful, my experience during recovery and in the years following has been far more complicated than I expected.

Immediately after surgery I experienced a severe reaction to anesthesia, including prolonged nausea and repeated dry heaving. During recovery in the hospital I repeatedly attempted to call for assistance using the nurse call button but did not receive help for an extended period of time. My husband and I both raised these concerns with the surgeon afterward.

As I healed, I began developing significant scarring along the incision lines around my ears and hairline. The scars became thickened, widened, and very noticeable. Because I live in Canada, I contacted the clinic to discuss the issue and was encouraged to consult a dermatologist locally since they could not assess the scars remotely.

Over time I pursued multiple treatments in an effort to improve the scars, including laser treatments and steroid injections with dermatology specialists. These treatments were costly and unfortunately did not resolve the problem.

Eventually I consulted with a board-certified plastic surgeon in Canada to obtain an independent opinion. After examining the scars, he advised that meaningful improvement would likely require surgical revision rather than further dermatologic treatments.

Another challenge I encountered was obtaining my full medical records from the clinic. Despite requesting my records multiple times, I initially received only a brief summary instead of the complete operative and clinical documentation. At one point I was told that Mexican law prevented the clinic from providing the full record, which was confusing because patients generally have the right to access their medical information. I am still working through the process of obtaining the complete file.

I recognize that every surgery carries risks and that scarring can vary from patient to patient. However, the outcome I experienced has been emotionally and physically difficult, especially given that the scars are on my face and may require another surgery to correct.

My intention in sharing this is not to attack anyone, but to provide an honest account of my experience so that others considering surgery can make fully informed decisions.