POSTED UNDER Facelift Reviews
Thoughts at 2 + Years Post Op
ORIGINAL POST
Thoughts at 2 + Years Post Op
WORTH IT$16,400
I traveled to Tijuana for a face, neck, and brow lift with upper-lip dermabrasion performed by Dr. Alejandro Quiroz. Before choosing Vida Wellness & Beauty, I contacted several well-reviewed clinics in Mexico, read reviews on RealSelf, and followed a Facebook group focused on plastic surgery in Mexico. I was especially impressed that Dr. Quiroz personally called to discuss my photos and goals.
The procedure cost was $15,900, which was considerably less than the prices I had been quoted in the United States. I stayed for five days in the Boutique Hotel located in the same building as the surgical facility. My husband was able to stay in my room for an additional $100 per day, bringing the total to approximately $16,400. Three meals a day and a postoperative hair washing were included. The woman who washed my hair was wonderful.
Consultation, surgery, and recovery stay
When I met Dr. Quiroz the day before surgery, he was personable, reassuring, and seemed to understand the natural-looking result I wanted. The convenience of staying in the same building as the surgical facility was a major plus, and I thought the food was good.
My surgery was scheduled for 7:00 a.m., but it began several hours late. I understand that medical schedules can change, and the staff gave me medication to help with my anxiety, but the delay made an already stressful day harder. My husband was not contacted until late in the evening, which understandably worried him.
During the first two days, my swelling was significant. No one used ice or cold compresses on my face. I cannot say whether icing would have changed my outcome, but I wish swelling management and the reasons for the chosen protocol had been explained more clearly.
The following day after surgery during the on-site recovery stay. (See photo 1)
Results I am pleased with:
Overall, I am glad I had the facelift, and I would choose to have a facelift again. The most noticeable improvement is around my eyes, just as Dr. Quiroz predicted. My eyes look and feel more open, and my jawline is better defined.
The upper-lip dermabrasion also made a dramatic improvement in texture. Before surgery, the skin between my nose and upper lip had deep lines and looked much older than the rest of my face. I do not know whether earlier fillers, Botox, sun damage, or a combination of factors contributed to that texture, but the dermabrasion smoothed the area substantially. Even with the pigment loss, I am still glad I had that part done because the wrinkles are gone and the skin is much smoother. (See photos 2 & 3)
Scarring, pigment changes, and ongoing discomfort:
The biggest surprise has been the amount of visible scarring and uneven pigmentation. Before surgery, I had always been pleased with my even skin tone. More than two years later, that has not returned. The dermabrasion area remains much lighter than the surrounding skin, and I also have several white lines or spots on my forehead and neck in areas where the skin and sutures appeared to be under tension.
I also still feel something firm beneath the skin in my neck that sometimes feels like a piece of fishing line poking from the inside. I do not know exactly what it is. I emailed the doctor's staff several times to ask whether non-dissolving material had been used and whether this sensation was expected, but I never received a response. The lack of postoperative communication has been one of my greatest disappointments. (See photos 4 & 5)
Sun exposure and long-term sensation
In fairness to Dr. Quiroz, he warned me to stay out of the sun. I live in sunny Arizona and have a very active outdoor lifestyle: I hike twice a week, ride bicycles weekly, and walk my dog every day. I use sunscreen and often wear a hat, but I sweat heavily and still become tanned despite trying not to. My lifestyle and sun exposure may have contributed to the continued contrast in my skin tone.
The eye and brow result is noticeable, but recovery took much longer than I expected. For roughly the first year and a half, I could not raise my eyebrows. That has improved during the past six months, but my forehead and the top of my scalp still do not feel completely normal, and my neck remains somewhat numb or dull.
Neck and under-chin result
I like the improvement in my jawline, but I am less satisfied with the appearance beneath my chin and along my neck. The scar under my chin is more visible and uneven than I expected, and one side of my neck hangs lower than the other. From a normal front-facing view, the result looks better, but from below or from certain side angles, the unevenness is noticeable. (See photos 6 & 7)
My overall assessment
This is a mixed review. I am happy with the more open appearance of my eyes, the improvement in my jawline, and the smoother skin above my lip. The on-site hotel was convenient, the meals were good, and several members of the staff were very kind.
At the same time, I was not prepared for the degree of pigment loss, visible scarring, prolonged numbness, tightness, and asymmetry that remained more than two years later. I am also disappointed that my repeated questions about the material I can feel in my neck were never answered.
Anyone considering a similar procedure should ask detailed questions in advance about scar placement, swelling management, expected changes in sensation, the possibility of pigment loss after dermabrasion, the type of sutures or internal support material used, and how long postoperative follow-up will remain available. I am glad I had the surgery, but I wish I had been better prepared for the long-term tradeoffs. I am currently using a prescribed cream in hopes my pigment will return to the areas it has been lost and I believe I will go to another doctor to have my neck redone in the next 5 years as I am not happy with the way it looks.
The procedure cost was $15,900, which was considerably less than the prices I had been quoted in the United States. I stayed for five days in the Boutique Hotel located in the same building as the surgical facility. My husband was able to stay in my room for an additional $100 per day, bringing the total to approximately $16,400. Three meals a day and a postoperative hair washing were included. The woman who washed my hair was wonderful.
Consultation, surgery, and recovery stay
When I met Dr. Quiroz the day before surgery, he was personable, reassuring, and seemed to understand the natural-looking result I wanted. The convenience of staying in the same building as the surgical facility was a major plus, and I thought the food was good.
My surgery was scheduled for 7:00 a.m., but it began several hours late. I understand that medical schedules can change, and the staff gave me medication to help with my anxiety, but the delay made an already stressful day harder. My husband was not contacted until late in the evening, which understandably worried him.
During the first two days, my swelling was significant. No one used ice or cold compresses on my face. I cannot say whether icing would have changed my outcome, but I wish swelling management and the reasons for the chosen protocol had been explained more clearly.
The following day after surgery during the on-site recovery stay. (See photo 1)
Results I am pleased with:
Overall, I am glad I had the facelift, and I would choose to have a facelift again. The most noticeable improvement is around my eyes, just as Dr. Quiroz predicted. My eyes look and feel more open, and my jawline is better defined.
The upper-lip dermabrasion also made a dramatic improvement in texture. Before surgery, the skin between my nose and upper lip had deep lines and looked much older than the rest of my face. I do not know whether earlier fillers, Botox, sun damage, or a combination of factors contributed to that texture, but the dermabrasion smoothed the area substantially. Even with the pigment loss, I am still glad I had that part done because the wrinkles are gone and the skin is much smoother. (See photos 2 & 3)
Scarring, pigment changes, and ongoing discomfort:
The biggest surprise has been the amount of visible scarring and uneven pigmentation. Before surgery, I had always been pleased with my even skin tone. More than two years later, that has not returned. The dermabrasion area remains much lighter than the surrounding skin, and I also have several white lines or spots on my forehead and neck in areas where the skin and sutures appeared to be under tension.
I also still feel something firm beneath the skin in my neck that sometimes feels like a piece of fishing line poking from the inside. I do not know exactly what it is. I emailed the doctor's staff several times to ask whether non-dissolving material had been used and whether this sensation was expected, but I never received a response. The lack of postoperative communication has been one of my greatest disappointments. (See photos 4 & 5)
Sun exposure and long-term sensation
In fairness to Dr. Quiroz, he warned me to stay out of the sun. I live in sunny Arizona and have a very active outdoor lifestyle: I hike twice a week, ride bicycles weekly, and walk my dog every day. I use sunscreen and often wear a hat, but I sweat heavily and still become tanned despite trying not to. My lifestyle and sun exposure may have contributed to the continued contrast in my skin tone.
The eye and brow result is noticeable, but recovery took much longer than I expected. For roughly the first year and a half, I could not raise my eyebrows. That has improved during the past six months, but my forehead and the top of my scalp still do not feel completely normal, and my neck remains somewhat numb or dull.
Neck and under-chin result
I like the improvement in my jawline, but I am less satisfied with the appearance beneath my chin and along my neck. The scar under my chin is more visible and uneven than I expected, and one side of my neck hangs lower than the other. From a normal front-facing view, the result looks better, but from below or from certain side angles, the unevenness is noticeable. (See photos 6 & 7)
My overall assessment
This is a mixed review. I am happy with the more open appearance of my eyes, the improvement in my jawline, and the smoother skin above my lip. The on-site hotel was convenient, the meals were good, and several members of the staff were very kind.
At the same time, I was not prepared for the degree of pigment loss, visible scarring, prolonged numbness, tightness, and asymmetry that remained more than two years later. I am also disappointed that my repeated questions about the material I can feel in my neck were never answered.
Anyone considering a similar procedure should ask detailed questions in advance about scar placement, swelling management, expected changes in sensation, the possibility of pigment loss after dermabrasion, the type of sutures or internal support material used, and how long postoperative follow-up will remain available. I am glad I had the surgery, but I wish I had been better prepared for the long-term tradeoffs. I am currently using a prescribed cream in hopes my pigment will return to the areas it has been lost and I believe I will go to another doctor to have my neck redone in the next 5 years as I am not happy with the way it looks.
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