66 Yr Old Lower Face/Neck Lift on May 21, 2015. Knoxville, TN

At 66 years of age, I decided it was the right time for a facelift. I had the upper/lower blepharoplasty (eyelid) in December 2013, and was pleased with the results. My PS followed up with me from that surgery for a full year, and I began discussing the possibility of a facelift at some point. After losing about 15 lbs over the past year - I decided the weight loss looks great on your body, but not so much on your face!! I started seeing more loose skin around jawline and neck, and I didn't like it. The PS thought a lower face/neck lift would be the appropriate procedure. He did a SMAS plication with general anesthesia. The surgery lasted about 3 1/2 hours. Everything went well, but it did take me a lot longer to wake up from this surgery than the eye surgery. I was in recovery for about 3 1/2 hours. My hat is off to you ladies who do the facelift and eyelid surgery (and even other procedures) at the same time!! I like my pain in chapters!!!!
I have had minimal bruising and swelling, and have felt really good from Day 1. As most have said, there is no pain, just some discomfort. I took 1/2 pain pill about every 4 hours for the first 24 hours (as suggested by post-op nurse). Then I occasionally took tylenol for the next 3 or 4 days. I'm now at Day 6 and don't even think about needing anything for pain. I started taking Bromalaine, Artica Montana, Vitamin C, and VitaMedica Recovery Support vitamins a few days prior to surgery and continue to take them.
I returned to doctor office on Day 1 for removal of the bandage, and have been wearing the ace bandage (except for showering) since then. On Day 5, another visit to doctor office for removal of stitches in front of the ears and below the chin. Supposed to go back on Monday (which will be Day 11) for removal of remainder of stitches.
I am looking forward to not having to wear the ace bandage (although I will admit it becomes a sort of 'security blanket.') And I think after Monday, I will only have to wear it at night.
Thanks to all of you for your reviews, pictures and posts that have been so informative in making the decision and going through the surgery. I will keep you posted on my progress, and I will be happy to reply to any questions.

I'm now on Day 8 and still feeling great. My pictures don't look much different from day to day now. Bruising that was around lower neck is subsiding every day, and I don't see much if any swelling now. I took a pic of the incision under the chin today. It's a little bumpy, but I think that is to be expected at this early time in healing. I washed my hair for third time today, and I think I finally got all the [RS bleep] out now. Feels better for sure. I'm still sleeping with head elevated and trying not to turn or bend my head too far. As someone else said, you have to turn at the waist when you drive. I go back to doctor on Monday and hopefully will get remainder of stitches and staples out...(I have staples in the scalp area - wonder if those will hurt coming out?!!) Until then I still wear ace bandage. I'll update again after doctor appointment on Monday. Wishing everyone a good weekend.

Today is Day 11, and I saw the doctor who removed all the rest of the stitches and staples. He said everything looked great, and was pleased with my progress. I can increase my activity - said that walking 3-4 miles a day would be fine, but to hold off on playing tennis for another couple weeks. I'm to put an antibacterial ointment on the scabbing/incisions. The incision under the chin still has a glue strip on it (that is why it is bumpy), and I'm to put Vaseline on it and wash with soap and water, and it should gradually come off. Will see the doctor again next week. And I only have to wear the head wrap at night -- Yea!!! Best wishes to all of you who are getting ready to have your surgery -- it will be easier than you think!!