POSTED UNDER Facelift Reviews
My Step by Step Journey
ORIGINAL POST
My Step by Step Journey
WORTH IT
Part 1: The Quest for the Holy Grail (or how I found the perfect match)
It’s been 6 months since I took the plunge: a deep plane facelift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and a little fat grafting bonus with Dr. Nashelli in Guadalajara. And let me tell you straight up: the results are absolutely there.
But before getting to this fresh, rested face, I had to go through the research phase. And what a hunt it was! Finding the right surgeon took me between 5 and 7 years. Yes, you read that right. Seven years looking for that rare gem: someone highly skilled who actually understood my goals, offered reasonable pricing, and above all... didn’t treat me like a piece of meat on an operating table. After a previous rhinoplasty years ago, I swore to myself that for my next surgery, I’d go strictly with my gut feeling—zero compromises.
My quest took me all over the place. I consulted specialists in Geneva, France, Mexico City, Panama… basically, my own little world tour of plastic surgery. Then one day, while deep-diving online into fat grafting and blepharoplasty, I stumbled upon Dr. Nashelli’s profile. It was instant professional love at first sight. Her credentials were flawless, and her ultra-natural results instantly caught my eye. To me, that’s the golden rule: good plastic surgery enhances your looks, but it knows how to stay invisible.
That’s when my inner "secret agent" kicked in. And trust me, when it comes to online sleuthing, I could give the FBI a run for their money. I scrutinized absolutely EVERYTHING: forums, reviews, before-and-afters. Everywhere I looked, it was the same story: thrilled and visibly enhanced patients. The only minor detail triggering my inner paranoid person was that I felt a bit young (I’m 42) compared to the average patient photos online, and I really wanted to see more cases like mine.
No matter, I booked a virtual consultation. And right then, it clicked. Before I even had time to throw my trick questions at her, she was already answering them. On top of being reassuringly professional, she was funny, deeply human, and full of genuine compassion.
Initially, I was only looking into a blepharoplastie, but my jowls were starting to bother me. I figured, instead of going under the knife twice, why not get it all done in one shot? Solid logic, right? And the expert validated it.
The deal was sealed. I had finally found MY surgeon, and she—and no one else—was going to touch my face.
Part 2: Taking the Plunge, Picasso, and the Longest Night of My Life
My surgery was scheduled for early December 2025. From that point on, everything moved at lightning speed. I landed three days before the big day, accompanied by my husband. To stack all the odds in our favor, we rented a super cozy Airbnb in a quiet residential area, just 10–15 minutes from the hospital. Perfect for our battle plan.
That’s when I met what I affectionately call the "Dream Team," a power trio of badass women whom I deeply admire:
Magdalena, who took charge of my pre-op tests (cardio, blood work, the whole nine yards) and managed to answer all my worst-case scenario questions with disarming humor.
Mariana, the calm, gentle soul who handled all the logistics like a pro, even going above and beyond to physically walk me through the hospital admission on the big day.
And finally, Nashelli, the artist, whom I met in person for the first time the day before, and whom I can now legitimately call my friend.
Together, these three absolute bosses rock. They make you feel supported, understood, and completely safe.
Admission happened on Sunday evening, since I was scheduled to go under the knife on Monday at 7:00 AM sharp. Naturally, the anxiety started creeping in. The room was spacious and my husband was allowed to stay, but let’s be honest: the companion couch was rock-hard and spending a night in a hospital has never been anyone’s dream vacation. I decided to send him back to sleep in a warm bed, took a mild sedative, and closed my eyes.
The next morning, I woke up feeling surprisingly energized (shoutout to the pre-op med cocktail that keeps you nice and relaxed). The moment I saw Nashelli walk through the door and start sketching a Picasso-style masterpiece all over my face, all my tension evaporated. They wheeled me into the OR. The medical team was incredibly relaxed, joking around and laughing... and then, curtains. Total blackout.
When I woke up, two sensations took my breath away: I was freezing, and I had a desert-level thirst. A dying-of-thirst kind of situation. For two hours, I kept repeating on a loop, "I'm thirsty, I'm thirsty," but no one could give me water because we had to wait. (I found out later that the nurse had kindly placed the IV right next to the vein instead of inside it—hence the extreme dehydration).
They brought me back up to my room where my husband was waiting. I was completely high on painkillers, talking absolute gibberish, but at least we were laughing. Having a total dread of recurring UTIs, I begged them to take out the catheter. The team kindly obliged. Right then and there, I wanted to move: I got up with help, used the restroom, and started walking. No way was I staying passive!
Nashelli then came in for the debrief: the surgery lasted between 6 and 7 hours! To this day, I still don’t know how she maintains that level of laser focus for so long. She was thrilled with her work, so naturally, I was over the moon. I sent my husband back to rest at the Airbnb and decided to stay a second night at the hospital.
I’m not gonna lie: that night was brutal. It was impossible to sleep for more than an hour straight, as I had to run to the restroom every single hour. But the real nightmare was that damn thirst: because of the surgery, my throat was so swollen that I literally couldn’t swallow. I choked on the tiniest micro-sip of water. I was starving, but nothing would go down my throat except for Jell-O.
The next morning brought sweet relief: Nashelli walked in with her huge smile, removed the first bulky bandage, and told me, “Yo puedo ya ver el resultado, te vas a ver muy bonita” (I can already see the result, you’re going to look beautiful). I was so incredibly happy. Next appointment in 2 or 3 days for total freedom.
And just like that, off to our home away from home (the Airbnb) to start recovery!
Part 3: The Metamorphosis (or living as a swollen alien)
The first two days back at the Airbnb, divine surprise: I actually looked pretty good! My face looked almost "normal" and I was thrilled. But don’t celebrate too early—the post-op honeymoon phase is short-lived...
Nights 2 and 3 turned out to be pretty rough. Why? Because I absolutely despise sleeping on my back, and I had zero choice. If you’re a stomach sleeper like me, take some friendly advice: start training yourself months in advance and buy EVERY single ergonomic pillow on the market.
At this stage, swallowing was still a challenge. I wouldn't call it "pain" per se, but rather a festival of weird sensations: my teeth felt funny, my tongue was numb... And to top it off, I couldn't lean my head down to wash up without feeling gravity harshly reminding me who's boss. Long story short, I was completely out of commission. My daily schedule boiled down to: watching TV, sleeping, and being pampered. For once, my husband became my full-time personal assistant, and honestly, it’s a wonderful memory now (laughs)!
On Day 3, it was back to the hospital. Nashelli removed the big bandage and the neck drain (and I swear, I didn't feel a thing). Instead, I was given a compression chin strap that I had to wear as much as humanly possible. And that is precisely when my "Avatar" era began... I slowly turned into an alien. My face started distorting from the swelling, my neck felt as stiff as a board, and I had absolutely zero sensation from the middle of my cheeks all the way down to my neck, including behind my ears. It’s an incredibly bizarre feeling, though still completely painless. Just highly uncomfortable. Luckily, things improved on the stomach front: I could finally eat scrambled eggs, move on to slightly more solid foods, and best of all... swallow a whole, proper gulp of water. Hallelujah!
Days 4 and 5: The peak of the swelling. I looked like absolutely NOTHING. Looking back at my photos today, I look like a bloated 5-year-old toddler who's had way too much to drink—it’s hilarious! Naturally, this is the phase where your mind plays tricks on you. Even though I trusted Nashelli completely, waves of doubt would creep in: "What if she messed up? What if I stay like this forever?". Spoiler alert: no, you don't stay like that.
Days 6 and 7: Light at the end of the tunnel. Things improved visibly day by day. I could finally take a proper, glorious shower, eat almost normally, and the swelling in my face started going down. For my last hospital check-up, Nashelli removed the stitches from my eyes. The next day, I was cleared to hop on a plane and head home!
Part 4: Back to the Future (The 6-Month Mark)
Days 8 to 15: The process keeps doing its thing. I’m still a little puffy, my scars are playfully itchy, and small scabs are forming (the ultimate sign of healing!). Sleeping on my back is still a bit of a chore, and I have this weird sensation around my ears where they feel completely numb yet overly sensitive at the same time... but we’re pushing through.
Days 15 to 30: A massive turning point. Everything is finally starting to settle down. I look in the mirror and see a "normal" version of myself, but easily 10 years younger! Life is getting back on track, and by week 4, after a quick FaceTime approval from Nashelli, I finally got the green light to work out again. Pure bliss! Plus, I can finally say goodbye to the chin strap! :))
Months 1 to 3: The results keep evolving. You can definitely feel things healing under the skin: little tingles here and there, a few slightly uncomfortable nights, itchy scars, and occasionally dry eyes... but the look is already incredible. The most magical part? Absolutely no one in my social circle can tell I had a facelift. They just think I look incredibly refreshed and well-rested. Long story short: I already have a waiting list of friends begging for Nashelli’s contact info!(laughs)
At 6 months today: I’ve recovered 90% of my sensation—just one ear and the area right under my jawline are still a bit numb. My face looks absolutely beautiful. I love it. I literally erased 10 years. I chose to do this at 42, and while some might say that’s very young for this kind of lifting, if you only knew how much extra skin I had... Just ask Nashelli, she’ll tell you all about the construction site! Doing this now means I get to enjoy my youth for a whole lot longer. I feel amazing in my body and great in my mind. My husband and loved ones tell me every single day: "Wow, your face looks stunning!".
So yes, let’s be real, it’s a journey. You have to be mentally prepared for it. But it is by no means insurmountable, and if I had to do it all over again, I would sign up in a heartbeat without a second thought. It is so, so worth it. What’s better than investing in yourself to feel fresh, radiant, and perfectly aligned with how young you feel on the inside? Just remember to "trust and follow the process."
A massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to my friend Nashelli. You are such a talented artist. Thank you for making me travel back in time and letting me find my 10-years-younger self!
It’s been 6 months since I took the plunge: a deep plane facelift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, and a little fat grafting bonus with Dr. Nashelli in Guadalajara. And let me tell you straight up: the results are absolutely there.
But before getting to this fresh, rested face, I had to go through the research phase. And what a hunt it was! Finding the right surgeon took me between 5 and 7 years. Yes, you read that right. Seven years looking for that rare gem: someone highly skilled who actually understood my goals, offered reasonable pricing, and above all... didn’t treat me like a piece of meat on an operating table. After a previous rhinoplasty years ago, I swore to myself that for my next surgery, I’d go strictly with my gut feeling—zero compromises.
My quest took me all over the place. I consulted specialists in Geneva, France, Mexico City, Panama… basically, my own little world tour of plastic surgery. Then one day, while deep-diving online into fat grafting and blepharoplasty, I stumbled upon Dr. Nashelli’s profile. It was instant professional love at first sight. Her credentials were flawless, and her ultra-natural results instantly caught my eye. To me, that’s the golden rule: good plastic surgery enhances your looks, but it knows how to stay invisible.
That’s when my inner "secret agent" kicked in. And trust me, when it comes to online sleuthing, I could give the FBI a run for their money. I scrutinized absolutely EVERYTHING: forums, reviews, before-and-afters. Everywhere I looked, it was the same story: thrilled and visibly enhanced patients. The only minor detail triggering my inner paranoid person was that I felt a bit young (I’m 42) compared to the average patient photos online, and I really wanted to see more cases like mine.
No matter, I booked a virtual consultation. And right then, it clicked. Before I even had time to throw my trick questions at her, she was already answering them. On top of being reassuringly professional, she was funny, deeply human, and full of genuine compassion.
Initially, I was only looking into a blepharoplastie, but my jowls were starting to bother me. I figured, instead of going under the knife twice, why not get it all done in one shot? Solid logic, right? And the expert validated it.
The deal was sealed. I had finally found MY surgeon, and she—and no one else—was going to touch my face.
Part 2: Taking the Plunge, Picasso, and the Longest Night of My Life
My surgery was scheduled for early December 2025. From that point on, everything moved at lightning speed. I landed three days before the big day, accompanied by my husband. To stack all the odds in our favor, we rented a super cozy Airbnb in a quiet residential area, just 10–15 minutes from the hospital. Perfect for our battle plan.
That’s when I met what I affectionately call the "Dream Team," a power trio of badass women whom I deeply admire:
Magdalena, who took charge of my pre-op tests (cardio, blood work, the whole nine yards) and managed to answer all my worst-case scenario questions with disarming humor.
Mariana, the calm, gentle soul who handled all the logistics like a pro, even going above and beyond to physically walk me through the hospital admission on the big day.
And finally, Nashelli, the artist, whom I met in person for the first time the day before, and whom I can now legitimately call my friend.
Together, these three absolute bosses rock. They make you feel supported, understood, and completely safe.
Admission happened on Sunday evening, since I was scheduled to go under the knife on Monday at 7:00 AM sharp. Naturally, the anxiety started creeping in. The room was spacious and my husband was allowed to stay, but let’s be honest: the companion couch was rock-hard and spending a night in a hospital has never been anyone’s dream vacation. I decided to send him back to sleep in a warm bed, took a mild sedative, and closed my eyes.
The next morning, I woke up feeling surprisingly energized (shoutout to the pre-op med cocktail that keeps you nice and relaxed). The moment I saw Nashelli walk through the door and start sketching a Picasso-style masterpiece all over my face, all my tension evaporated. They wheeled me into the OR. The medical team was incredibly relaxed, joking around and laughing... and then, curtains. Total blackout.
When I woke up, two sensations took my breath away: I was freezing, and I had a desert-level thirst. A dying-of-thirst kind of situation. For two hours, I kept repeating on a loop, "I'm thirsty, I'm thirsty," but no one could give me water because we had to wait. (I found out later that the nurse had kindly placed the IV right next to the vein instead of inside it—hence the extreme dehydration).
They brought me back up to my room where my husband was waiting. I was completely high on painkillers, talking absolute gibberish, but at least we were laughing. Having a total dread of recurring UTIs, I begged them to take out the catheter. The team kindly obliged. Right then and there, I wanted to move: I got up with help, used the restroom, and started walking. No way was I staying passive!
Nashelli then came in for the debrief: the surgery lasted between 6 and 7 hours! To this day, I still don’t know how she maintains that level of laser focus for so long. She was thrilled with her work, so naturally, I was over the moon. I sent my husband back to rest at the Airbnb and decided to stay a second night at the hospital.
I’m not gonna lie: that night was brutal. It was impossible to sleep for more than an hour straight, as I had to run to the restroom every single hour. But the real nightmare was that damn thirst: because of the surgery, my throat was so swollen that I literally couldn’t swallow. I choked on the tiniest micro-sip of water. I was starving, but nothing would go down my throat except for Jell-O.
The next morning brought sweet relief: Nashelli walked in with her huge smile, removed the first bulky bandage, and told me, “Yo puedo ya ver el resultado, te vas a ver muy bonita” (I can already see the result, you’re going to look beautiful). I was so incredibly happy. Next appointment in 2 or 3 days for total freedom.
And just like that, off to our home away from home (the Airbnb) to start recovery!
Part 3: The Metamorphosis (or living as a swollen alien)
The first two days back at the Airbnb, divine surprise: I actually looked pretty good! My face looked almost "normal" and I was thrilled. But don’t celebrate too early—the post-op honeymoon phase is short-lived...
Nights 2 and 3 turned out to be pretty rough. Why? Because I absolutely despise sleeping on my back, and I had zero choice. If you’re a stomach sleeper like me, take some friendly advice: start training yourself months in advance and buy EVERY single ergonomic pillow on the market.
At this stage, swallowing was still a challenge. I wouldn't call it "pain" per se, but rather a festival of weird sensations: my teeth felt funny, my tongue was numb... And to top it off, I couldn't lean my head down to wash up without feeling gravity harshly reminding me who's boss. Long story short, I was completely out of commission. My daily schedule boiled down to: watching TV, sleeping, and being pampered. For once, my husband became my full-time personal assistant, and honestly, it’s a wonderful memory now (laughs)!
On Day 3, it was back to the hospital. Nashelli removed the big bandage and the neck drain (and I swear, I didn't feel a thing). Instead, I was given a compression chin strap that I had to wear as much as humanly possible. And that is precisely when my "Avatar" era began... I slowly turned into an alien. My face started distorting from the swelling, my neck felt as stiff as a board, and I had absolutely zero sensation from the middle of my cheeks all the way down to my neck, including behind my ears. It’s an incredibly bizarre feeling, though still completely painless. Just highly uncomfortable. Luckily, things improved on the stomach front: I could finally eat scrambled eggs, move on to slightly more solid foods, and best of all... swallow a whole, proper gulp of water. Hallelujah!
Days 4 and 5: The peak of the swelling. I looked like absolutely NOTHING. Looking back at my photos today, I look like a bloated 5-year-old toddler who's had way too much to drink—it’s hilarious! Naturally, this is the phase where your mind plays tricks on you. Even though I trusted Nashelli completely, waves of doubt would creep in: "What if she messed up? What if I stay like this forever?". Spoiler alert: no, you don't stay like that.
Days 6 and 7: Light at the end of the tunnel. Things improved visibly day by day. I could finally take a proper, glorious shower, eat almost normally, and the swelling in my face started going down. For my last hospital check-up, Nashelli removed the stitches from my eyes. The next day, I was cleared to hop on a plane and head home!
Part 4: Back to the Future (The 6-Month Mark)
Days 8 to 15: The process keeps doing its thing. I’m still a little puffy, my scars are playfully itchy, and small scabs are forming (the ultimate sign of healing!). Sleeping on my back is still a bit of a chore, and I have this weird sensation around my ears where they feel completely numb yet overly sensitive at the same time... but we’re pushing through.
Days 15 to 30: A massive turning point. Everything is finally starting to settle down. I look in the mirror and see a "normal" version of myself, but easily 10 years younger! Life is getting back on track, and by week 4, after a quick FaceTime approval from Nashelli, I finally got the green light to work out again. Pure bliss! Plus, I can finally say goodbye to the chin strap! :))
Months 1 to 3: The results keep evolving. You can definitely feel things healing under the skin: little tingles here and there, a few slightly uncomfortable nights, itchy scars, and occasionally dry eyes... but the look is already incredible. The most magical part? Absolutely no one in my social circle can tell I had a facelift. They just think I look incredibly refreshed and well-rested. Long story short: I already have a waiting list of friends begging for Nashelli’s contact info!(laughs)
At 6 months today: I’ve recovered 90% of my sensation—just one ear and the area right under my jawline are still a bit numb. My face looks absolutely beautiful. I love it. I literally erased 10 years. I chose to do this at 42, and while some might say that’s very young for this kind of lifting, if you only knew how much extra skin I had... Just ask Nashelli, she’ll tell you all about the construction site! Doing this now means I get to enjoy my youth for a whole lot longer. I feel amazing in my body and great in my mind. My husband and loved ones tell me every single day: "Wow, your face looks stunning!".
So yes, let’s be real, it’s a journey. You have to be mentally prepared for it. But it is by no means insurmountable, and if I had to do it all over again, I would sign up in a heartbeat without a second thought. It is so, so worth it. What’s better than investing in yourself to feel fresh, radiant, and perfectly aligned with how young you feel on the inside? Just remember to "trust and follow the process."
A massive, heartfelt THANK YOU to my friend Nashelli. You are such a talented artist. Thank you for making me travel back in time and letting me find my 10-years-younger self!
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