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POSTED UNDER Facelift Reviews

Face/neck Lift W/complications from Hematoma and Thin Skin. La Jolla, CA

UPDATED FROM Regmel
28 days post

Correction

RegmelSeptember 30, 2014
WORTH IT$10,000
I guess the pictures didn't post sideways after all. :)

Regmel's provider

H. Michael Roark, MD (retired)

H. Michael Roark, MD (retired)

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Regmel rating for Dr. Roark:

Overall rating
Doctor's bedside manner
Answered my questions
After care follow-up
Time spent with me
Phone or email responsiveness
Staff professionalism & courtesy
Payment process
Wait times

Replies (5)

NancyS58
September 30, 2014
You look nice. Hematomas are quite common. I got one with my facelift even though I don't smoke. I was freaked out, Dr. nonchalant. That is because they ARE very common. So I'm sure you'll get through it. Congratulations on quitting smoking!
Regmel
September 30, 2014
Thanks Nancy. My big problem was the thin skin. After they had to open me up the second time to take care of the hematoma then I guess the skin stretched and that's the reason for the gap behind my ear?? It's more like an arroyo. Very ugly
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ColoradoMaiden
October 1, 2014
Did u have any resurfacing done?
Regmel
October 1, 2014
No resurfacing. Only face/neck lift. I have had upper eyes done in 1999 and lowers in 1988. Maybe next year I'll have the eyes done again. I had laser around my mouth in 1999 and I wouldn't touch a laser to my skin ever again. The Dr. lasered my lips off and I looked like Homer Simpson for about 2 years as it darkened the skin around my mouth. Horrible.
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ColoradoMaiden
October 1, 2014
I had the laser on my upper lip and it was helpful. I found that when I was in the sun I used 50 sun protection and did not had a noticeable darkening. Maybe because e I have a darker complexion anyway.
Kcgirl
March 5, 2015
I just had CO2 fractional laser for the wrinkles around my mouth. I know it takes up to six months for the collagen to grow and see the result. How long did it take you to see results?
5867anon
October 15, 2014
What a great result! Did they cut in front of your ears?
Regmel
October 15, 2014
Yes, they cut in front of and inside the ears and behind the ears. I am six weeks and can barely see the scar. I am still healing from the skin separation behind the one ear but it is starting to heal nicely. I am very happy with the results.
Paigea
October 16, 2014
You look great! What a difference! I myself look the same:( I had a facelift done by Dr. FH, Dallas TX. He and his staff were very nice but not worth loosing 12,500! I got a "natural" so natural that I look the same! Not younger! My "jowls" still sag. So hopefully this will help anyone that is looking for a Dr. that makes the patient look at 10 years younger, not the same.
Regmel
October 16, 2014
What type of facelift did you get? I had the traditional facelift and neck lift. Since I look in the mirror everyday, and more so since the lift, I tend to forget what I looked like before and have to look at my before pictures to appreciate the great work that was done.
Paigea
October 16, 2014
Well I told him that I wanted a facelift. A facelift too make me look younger. I went into the surgery room expecting to look younger. A year later and I still look the same. I didn't loose weight. So as far as blaming loosing a lot of weight doesn't work. I'm 5"6, 130. So what he did to me didn't work! :(
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StillSouthern
October 16, 2014
Paigea I have read your same posts repeatedly. I understand your disappointment, but you would be more effective if you started your own thread and put up before and after pics. It could save someone from your experience. Thanks!
Paigea
October 17, 2014
Unfortunately I didn't think of taking pictures. I just hope this will help someone. Thank you for your advice and have a great day. :)
MarkeB
October 17, 2014
Paigea -- the photos I posted were the ones taken by the doctor. All I had to do was ask his office manager and she e-mailed them to me. The doctor's format is very useful because each image shows the same angle before and after. I think people WOULD be interested in seeing those; it's hard to imagine going through all that surgery and not getting any improvement. Either you'll get positive reinforcement that there HAS been an improvement, or you'll be able to really help women contemplating surgery to understand what you're talking about.
Paigea
October 18, 2014
MarkeB, it didn't even cross my mind! Duh. I'm going to do that Monday. Then I'll get help from my friend in showing me how to post the pictures. (I'm not very good at that :( Thanks!
Regmel
October 18, 2014
MarkeB, You look great!! Paigea, if you are unhappy with your results then maybe you could ask your Doctor for a revision??
UPDATED FROM Regmel
28 days post

Adding pics

RegmelSeptember 30, 2014
Don't know why but they come out sideways from my phone so you have to turn your head. Lol

Replies (0)

UPDATED FROM Regmel
28 days post

1 MONTH UPDATE

RegmelSeptember 30, 2014
I look great but it sure has been an emotional roller coaster ride for me this last month. I am still recovering from the hematoma/thin skin and it has been high maintenance . I have a big ugly gap behind my ear that needs to heal. It is about 6 inches long and 1 inch wide and needs mine and my Dr.'s constant attention. Ointments, lotions, silvadene cream etc. I'd post a picture of it but it is so ugly I'd hate to make anyone sick looking at it. Luckily it is behind my ear and not visible so I'm ok about that but every so often I look in that 10 x mirror and freak out and that is where the emotional roller coaster women enters. Other than that I look 10 or more years younger and getting lots of compliments. My husband thinks I look great. I did this for me and I would do it again in a heartbeat. What happened with me is rare but I know it will heal and I need patience. it's just that I've never been a patient person and that will allow the emotions get the best of me. I'm just waiting to get the ok to exercise again and as soon as I do I'll feel better. Gotta get up and get moving. I will post more pics as soon as I can get a good shot. My old Iphone doesn't take good pictures. :)

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