54 Years Old and Want a Tighter Neck and Jowls! - Madison, WI

Just paid for my lower facelift! Nervous and excited! After two+ years of chickening out, I'm going for it. Two weeks to go. Yikes. It's amazing how fast my lower face has dropped since I turned fifty. The only people who know I'm having it done are my husband and sister. I told them it's a neck lift. That sounds less scary, right? My husband is not thrilled with the idea but he's supportive.

Had my pre-op today. I'm officially freaking out. My feelings are all over the place. I feel guilty for being so vain. I'm worried that I'll look too good. Seriously. I don't want to look 30. I want to look my age but with a smoother neck and jaw line, that's all! I am a grandmother. I'd like to hear from anyone who's felt similar or who can calm my nerves!

Soooo relieved to be on the other side! My neck, especially the right side is very painful and feeling tighter by the minute. Taking oxycodone and valium. Thought I would take a nap but not tired enough yet. Sitting upright in bed with pillow support behind my head. That part is comfortable. Neck not so much but tolerable with the meds. My gauze stays on until Monday. Must ice as much as possible until then. The drains are removed then as well. My adorable hubby is going to be my on-call nurse all weekend. This will be more involved than he or I anticipated, but he's a sweetie. I'm a lucky girl. Especially since he's been "reluctantly" supportive of this. In his words, whenever we've discussed my complaints about any aspect of my looks, he thinks I have "distortive view issues" (our something like that!). That's just me. I think I'm a textbook product of our culture, having a beautiful mom who was constantly dieting and complaining about her weight. Then as she got older, always lamenting her sagging skin! To top that off, having two knockouts for sisters. We are very close in age, and I always struggled with them having beautiful hour glass shapes from my mom, while I get the apple shape from my dad's side. I am my grandmother! Big boobs, no waist, no butt and skinny little legs! Okay so much for my life story. The surgery went well. Everyone was amazing. No pain, just a little pooch with the iv and a burning sensation when the anesthesia was administered. Because of the general, it seemed to last less than a minute, but it took about 3.5 hours. Dr. Marcus assured both of us that I will look like "me" but better, and not looking like I had any work done. I was really glad that my husband finally got to hear all the details about what I've been privately obsessing over all these months!!! By the way, I did tell him after the preop that it's technically a "lower face lift" (not a "neck lift" as I had originally told him). And anytime I've brought up the subject before today, he's very quiet about it. Have to wait for the "big reveal" until Monday. My biggest worry is that it will be too drastic of a change! The way my neck feels I imagine two big Frankenstein screws twisted into my neck! I will post pics. Thanks to all your well wishes.