Lower Facelift, Chin Implant, Liposuction Under Chin - Illinois, IL

Hey all! I did it. I scheduled surgery, and I would love some support and encouragement, because I'm super-nervous! Also super-excited! I'm a little scared, but at the same time, I can't wait. :)
About 3 years ago, I lost 70 lbs. Have maintained for 3 years, but how have loose skin on neck, plus have always had a double chin, and a weak chin, and that hasn't gone away, even with the weight loss. Of course, a weak chin wouldn't go away, but I was hoping the weight loss would result in a more beautiful jaw line than I ended up with. Anyway, I'm 48, and feel like I'm too young to look this old. I've spent months researching plastic surgery, and finally took the plunge, met with a recommended plastic surgeon, and am now about 6 weeks pre-op. I'll share some pics.
I'm taking 3 weeks off work to recover in private at home, since I don't want everyone at work knowing that I'm doing this, plus I have a physically demanding job. I'm also undecided whether to tell my family. We're planning a big family vacation in February, and my doctor says that if I choose not to tell them, nothing will be visible by then. I hope he's right!
Anyway, anyone who has had this done, I'd appreciate hearing about your experience. Here are before pics. For those who have posted their own before and after pics - thank you!!!! It's been very helpful to look through, and read about different people's journey with this.

Just went through some pics - these are clearer before pics. Yuck! Even with makeup, and smiling, the old looking neck can't be hidden.

Surgery went great. One minute I was being wheeled down the hall on a table, chatting with the nurse, and the next thing I knew, my doc was hovering over me saying "Everything went great." I don't even remember closing my eyes!

It's been a little scary the past few days with all the swelling and distortion caused by the swelling. But today it's 5 days post-op, and I'm starting to see what the results will be. I look so different! My neck wrinkles are totally gone, and I have a chin, for the first time in my life. It looks like I'll have a very strong profile, with strong features. I've never had that, so it's going to take some time to get used to the "new me," but I think I'm going to be really happy - once I'm used to what I'll look like. I'll post some pics from each day so far, and try to label them all.

How I'm feeling now - pretty good. Don't really need pain meds now, although at first, the chin/jaw was really hurting. Doc said that's normal. The facelift part was surprisingly not painful. Lots of numbness though, and it feels like that will take some time to go away. I also can't lower my lower lip. I couldn't really open my jaw until I took the jaw tape off, 48 hours post.

Things I'd wish I'd known ahead of time: Jaw implants are painful at first. Facelift, no biggie. Jaw implant, definitely sore and achey, and needed pain meds. Also, with jaw implant, soft food diet for 5 days! I wish I'd known that ahead of time, so I could have stocked up on soups and mashed potatoes, etc. As it is, I'm subsisting on smoothies, which are healthy, but getting really super boring. I spent a few weeks stocking up and getting ready to be a hermit for about 2 weeks, so the info about 5 days of soft food only would have been good to know. Also, I couldn't open my jaw wide enough to brush my teeth until I took the jaw tape off. Um, gross. That meant drinking smoothies but not brushing teeth for a total of 3 days. If I'd known that ahead of time, maybe I could have had some mint tea on hand to help with that. Not sure there's anything else I could have done about that part. I've never gone 3 days without brushing my teeth, and I have to say, not going there again!

I'll keep posting post-op pics daily for a little while, and then I'll try to post updates every couple of weeks/months until the full effect shows. Doc says expect that to take about 6 months.