Refresh and Renew at 54 Years Old! Mini Lift, Browlift, Upper Bleph, Plus a Perfect Peel

I had a total hysterectomy about 8 years ago, and was unable to do hormone replacement...as I'd had a bout of non-invasive breast cancer, and it was estrogen-dependent. So--I've noticed in the last few years, my skin elasticity had diminished, due to no hormonal replacement, being a sun goddess, etc. The clincher was when I was at the MAC makeup counter, and the (male, young) makeup artist kept asking me "Were you working all week? Honey, you look so TIRED"! when I was on vacation all week! I was feeling frumpy and flat. My jowls were bothering me the worst, along with the dull complexion--all in all, I wanted a refreshed, happier look. I met with Dr. Steven Vath at The Center for Cosmetic Surgery in Golden, and felt very confident with his skills. He was my third consult, and I liked him right away. He stressed that "we dont do the Beverly Hills-type of procedures" here--with the windswept, chisled, fake look--I would look like myself, only better. Ok, I thought--that's exactly what I want...not to be too drastically different, but a younger appearance. He gently suggested the upper bleph in conjunction with the browlift--at first, I was super grossed out with the thought of someone cutting my EYELIDS! But decided to add that at the last minute, and am glad I did, it made a big difference. The surgery took 3-1/2 hours--soooo many little stitches! The hardest part was sleeping on my back (I'm a side sleeper) but my ears hurt from the stitches, so it wasnt too hard to adjust. Sent my mom to Walmart for a wedge pillow ($19.95) and that helped. All in all, I slept a LOT, and just willed myself to heal. I kept the incisions covered with antibiotic ointment, but no tape as I'd seen in others here on Real Self. This was the most amount of money that I had ever spent on myself--previously, Lasik eye surgery--but I thought..."If not now, when??" I'm super young-minded and wanted to reflect that. I just had all the stitches out today, I'm still swollen on the sides of my face and neck, and the nurse said it will only improve from here. I'm hoping for a more defined jawline.

Having a nip/tuck is kind of like painting one wall in your house--you then see all sorts of things that should be fixed! The trim looks terrible! The floor needs refinished! Gaaah.

I've healed pretty quickly--barely can see the scars in front of my ears, behind my ears, they are still sore and a bit scabbed/raw. Eyelids a little purple. My neck looks markedly better. I can still see nasal-labio folds that I'd hoped would be gone.