POSTED UNDER Lower Facelift REVIEWS
Early Forties Lower Facelift and Neck Lift
ORIGINAL POST
I am a week away from my lower face and neck lift...
chicken_littleJune 12, 2017
WORTH IT$8,600
I am a week away from my lower face and neck lift and my nerves are getting the best of me! I have some sagging skin under my chin and beginnings of jowls that are forming which are making me look "stern" and I don't like it! I feel like I constantly have to have a smile plastered on my face so no one will think I'm upset - haha! I know I have a weak chin but really don't want to do any type of implant, so I'm hoping this will firm up my neck line and jawline. Any tips would be much appreciated! I have been following several real selfers and am so grateful for their unfiltered reviews, it helped me to make this decision! But I admit I'm scared because what if I'm that one in however many that ends up messed up and I destroy my face. Oh the nerves!!! I have been saving up for over 9 months because I've wanted to do this for so long. Part is hereditary (weak chin) but age and gravity are not helping me! I have all my meds, ice packs galore, arnica gel and pills and wedge pillow. My husband is taking off work the day of surgery and day after to help take care of my kids but I'm hoping I'll be ok on my own after that. I have some older teens that will be able to keep my younger ones occupied.I'm most worried about swelling and bruising. I haven't told anyone I am doing this for fear of judgement and have to see family on July 4th, so I'm hoping I'm not bruised or swollen by then!.
chicken_little's provider
Replies (21)
June 13, 2017
Good luck! I had this done on April 19th. Also with a fat transfer. Wish you all the best, any questions dont hesitate to ask. :)
June 14, 2017
Thank you so much!! I'm nervous but really excited too. It's a mix of trying not to get my hopes up for unrealistic results but also kind of hoping for awesome results - haha!
June 14, 2017
You'll need about 2 weeks before you'll feel comfortable going out in public and you will have to use makeup because you'll probably still have some bruising. Also lumps and bumps are normal and can last for several weeks/months until you heal. I don't know if you will be able to keep this is secret from your family but you know what? who cares what anyone thinks! Bending over is a no no so I don't know how old your kiddos are and NO LIFTING! Also sleeping elevated is extremely important in controlling swelling but I'm sure your surgeon has told you all this. Take some Arnica Montana pellets pre and post op to aid in healing and to reduce swelling and bruising.
June 14, 2017
Thank you so much!! Am I supposed to massage the lumps/bumps right away or is it hands off at least until stitches are removed?
June 14, 2017
You wont massage for a little while after. Sleeping elevated is a must you will be sleeping on your back for awhile. Even after 8 weeks I get lines and lumps when Im sleeping on my side. They say 2 weeks before you look ok I would say more like 3. Avoid salt at all costs you will be more swollen if you have salt. Definitly no heavy lifting. Wish you all the best
June 15, 2017
Thank you so much for all of your insight! I have a wedge pillow that will hopefully keep me from rolling onto my side!
June 14, 2017
Gorgeous hair, killer smile (veneers, great bone structure~ you are going to look spectacular! Best wishes, grace
June 14, 2017
That was supposed to say "veneers?" in brackets. Whole different meaning :) sorry, grace
June 14, 2017
Aw, thank you so much! No veneers - just my big ole teeth - hahah! Eeeek - counting down these last days!!!
June 14, 2017
u are already lovely. you will have great results. you young women who chose this have spectacular results and easy healing in most cases. don't forget no salt now and after surgery for a bit. the blueberries and pineapple seemed to help to get over bruising. follow all docs orders especially elevation for the required time. now time to relax since u cannot do much more! chin up girl!!! best bd
UPDATED FROM chicken_little
1 day pre
2 days and counting! Skincare questions
chicken_littleJune 17, 2017
in less than 2 days I'm hoping for a less "droopy" appearance! ;) Does anyone know about skincare products and when I should resume my retinol ect after surgery? I have it written down to ask my surgeon but in case I forget, I would like to know when you all resumed normal skin care? I am also going to be trying a new to me product - it's an ointment made with medicinal manuka honey and aloe that is supposed to help promote healing and also be anti-bacterial. My doctor recommends cleaning the incisions with hydrogen peroxide and applying aquaphor to keep them moist instead of using scar strips but I'm thinking of using this honey ointment instead of the aquaphor. I know medical grade manuka honey has great benefits...maybe I'll try one side with the honey and the other with the aquaphor. This is the brand I will be using https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007EBRA6A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Replies (13)
June 17, 2017
I used my skin care products right away, but massaged the lumpiness on my cheeks with organic coconut oil. For the stitches just washed them with organic antibacterial soap and dried well and left it until all stitches were removed. Was told not to put any creams or anything until after the stitches were removed and the area was healed. Then I used scar free ointment. After 8 weeks I have no signs of scars at all. Good luck!
June 17, 2017
wishing u the best. try not to get too far ahead of yourself. this will cause added worry. u do not have to deal with that yet. I believe in following advice of doc as u have trusted him/her this far. likely u will just want to keep incisions moist with a product like aquaphor for some time. you can then research scar healing ointments if it is an issue. it may not be any issue and may heal and lighten on its own. try to relax. wishing u the best, babydoll
June 17, 2017
Looking forward to swing your progress!! So exciting! I'm thinking about this procedure by years end. Best of luck!
June 19, 2017
Good luck!
June 19, 2017
Is your procedure today? I am scheduled for 7/26 and like you I've on the fence off the fence! Wish you all the best and your updates have been so reassuring that I am normal!
June 20, 2017
Thank you, yes - surgery is over, I'm bandaged like a mummy until my appointment today so I can't see anything yet. I'll post pics of the incisions when I get home! I think it's very normal to be nervous, it is our face and not easy to cover up if something happens!
June 20, 2017
Thanks! I hope you're feeling better and were able to sleep with your pillow set up. I'm going pillow shopping soon. Oh! My doctors office said pineapple smoothies help with bruising..and they are yummy!
UPDATED FROM chicken_little
Day of treatment
Home!!
chicken_littleJune 19, 2017
I'm home and resting, the surgery itself was completely painless. The staff and Dr. Vargas have been amazing with calming my jitters, I was so nervous! I went in at 7:30 this morning for all the pre-op prep. Met with Dr. V and the anethesiologist beforehand and they both answered all my extra questions. " Cut" time was at 8:30 and I was home by 12:30 (about a 25 min drive to our house from the office). I'm fully wrapped in gauze so no pics because you can't see anything! I get the gauze off tomorrow at 9:30 and will try to get some pics of the incisions. Pain wise, I wouldn't really call it pain, just a constant kind of throbbing discomfort behind my ears especially and my neck ( similar to a sore throat). My sweet husband who is caring for me made the mistake of only giving me one Tylenol when we got home, so I'm a bit behind on the discomfort and trying to catch up. I just took 1/2 of a hydrocodone, I was really trying to avoid taking any of them but I need to get on top the discomfort so I can get comfortable and rest. If I sit too upright, the front of my neck pulls, but if I lay flat, the stitches in the back of my ears start throbbing. So I'm trying to find a happy medium so I can get comfortable - haha! My eyelids and face that I can see are super swollen, probably from the IV fluids, but I look like a pumpkin head with the wrapping right now! ;) I'm hoping when the gauze is removed tomorrow, that might help the back of the ear issues when laying down propped up tomorrow a little. If anyone has suggestions on finding a comfortable position, please let me know!! Thank you for your encouragement, I will try to update daily progress especially the first week to 10 days.
Replies (4)
June 19, 2017
Do you have a recliner? I've read that it helps to keep your head elevated. So excited for you! Can't wait to see your pics.
June 20, 2017
We do but it doesn't come up high enough in the back to support my head for sleep. I finally figured out the wedge pillow I was using is too firm which was causing more discomfort. I ended up stacking 3 pillows for elevation, the one under my knees and one small pillow under each arm. I'm hoping when the gauze comes off today and I can start icing, that it will help the comfort level!
June 19, 2017
Elevate with pillows to comfortable height ~ then pillow under upper knee, pillow lengthwise on either side placed high-up like an armrest. Relieves stress on back and lifts arms which is important for comfort and to help prevent rolling. Used this arrangement to train myself to convert from an always-side-fetal sleeper to back sleeper. Worked!
June 20, 2017
Thank you! The arm pillows are helping, I cannot wait to get the bandages off. They are squeezing my head - haha!
https://westsidemedicalspa.com/resources/non-surgical-chin-implant-vs-traditional-chin-implant/