An Outstanding Result and Overall Experience

REVIEWER:At the time of my surgery one year year ago I was 72 years old. My health is good and body weight is normal for my height. I have had a lifelong interest in sports and maintain a good level of fitness.SURGICAL PROCEDURES:Deep plane face lift, deep neck reduction surgery, and blepharoplasty (eyelid) surgery, all completed as one surgical operation.REASON FOR REVIEW:Prior to making the decision to proceed with cosmetic surgery, I found the first person reviews on realself to be a valuable resource for understanding procedures, recovery time, possible problems and ratings of cosmetic surgeons and staff. I hope in turn this review may be of benefit to others, women and particularly middle aged or older men who may be the most hesitant demographic for cosmetic procedures ( Specialising only in cosmetic facial surgery with significant long-term experience > Globally renowned as an innovator and teaching authority in the latest deep plane facelift, deep plane necklift and eyelid (blepharoplasty) surgical procedures, with regular visiting international observers and vital information exchange with leading practitioners worldwide> Openness in all aspects of the procedures discussed, including any unexpected issues and expected recovery time based on the actual experience and feedback of patients.PROCEDURES AND RECOVERY - DEEP PLANE FACE LIFT, DEEP NECK REDUCTION SURGERY, AND BLEPHAROPLASTY (EYELID) SURGERY:Much of the information can be seen on the Dominic Bray website and descriptions below are brief. Points below relate to my surgery and depending on individuals and requirements may differ. Please feel free to contact me directly on this Realself website if you may have specific questions.> Time in surgery:In my case, around 4.5 hours> Anaesthesia:No recollection, but it's termed "Twilight" because it is just short of full anaesthesia> Recovery directly after surgery: Azara has a recovery room which could be a room in a 5 star hotel. Following facial surgery I was given Panadol for pain and had to rest reclined upward in bed. There is a night nurse on call all night. The face is bandaged and only liquids can be taken.> The days immediately after surgery:I stayed in a hotel nearby and slept in a reclined position over 10 days with a visit to Azara each day for inspection and removal of bandages, then stitches. Patients from the UK of course spend that time at home.> Pain:There was no real pain in the days following surgery. Initially some discomfort and stiffness of the jaw, both of which receded in the following recovery days.> Loss of feeling:The area around the ears and directly below on the cheeks were completely numb after surgery. As the nerve endings reconnected over time the feeling returned. Now, after a year, my face has full feeling again, with almost full feeling (95%) on the incision areas around the ears. CONCLUSION:Dr. Bray and staff delivered an excellent result for me. I was very pleased with the process, service and ultimately the final outcome. It has made a huge difference for me personally . The entire process was as smooth as I may have hoped for with a minimum of discomfort. The quality of his surgery and the pre- and post-surgery care from all nursing staff at Azara was at the highest level. All nursing, management and reception staff operated in concert to ensure the patient fully understands the procedures, what to reasonably expect post-operation, without minimization of any potential risks or discomfort, and how to assist recuperation and healing once back at home. All follow-up contact has been thorough and attentive. It has been one year since surgery and I could not be more pleased with the result. It is exactly as I had hoped for with not even an in-grown hair to spoil the picture. I regularly attend a Dermatologist in Germany for check-ups and he said: "I have seen many facelifts in my time and yours is one of the best." I can recommend Dr. Dominic Bray and his expert staff at Azara without reservation for a world-class cosmetic result.• • • • •