Wanting the Outside of Me to Look Like the Inside of Me Feels Again. Marina Del Rey, CA

I can't believe how fast the years go by. Just yesterday I was having babies, raising 4 children by myself and working full-time. I didn't have the time or the money for pampering myself. I always looked young for my age, played in the sun when there was time for play. My mom had a facelift and eyelift when she was 55. Honestly I couldn't tell the difference because I always thought she looked great. I think I was so busy with my own life, I didn't notice her aging. My dad passed away when he was 51. So I never really knew what aging looked like in my family genes. At age 61, I do now! 16 months ago my sister who is 2 years younger than myself had a facelift, necklift and upper and lower blepharoplasty. I took 2 weeks off to care for her immediately after her surgery. It was 2 weeks of a lot of attention to her. Icing, changing gauze and attending to her wounds. She was a trooper and after a few months she looked like she was in her 40s. Since she has had her procedures done, I have been wanting to do the same. It was one thing to look like an older sister but now I look like my mother at age 83. A couple weeks ago I went to Costco to pick out some frames for glasses and I took some selfies so I could come home and take a little time to see which frames looked best. Mind you I didn't have makeup on, it was a quick run in for 5-10 minutes max and try on 10 pairs of frames. When I viewed the pics later that night to choose which frames to order, I was miserable looking at the photos. Who was that in those pictures?

I've never been one to obsess about my looks. I've never put value or self worth to physical beauty. But I can honestly say that suddenly when I looked at those selfies, I did not recognize the old woman I was seeing. I feel like I did when I was 40. I am active and healthy. I just don't like looking as old as my mom...and I do.

So this week I went for a consultation with Dr. Grant Stevens in Marina Del Rey, CA and scheduled surgery for July 14th. I will have a facelift, necklift, upper and lower blepharopasty and CO2 laser to my mouth area. As much as I am not looking forward to the recovery of the procedures, I am very much looking forward to recognizing the woman in my selfies.

Yesterday I had my pre-surgery appt which included a medical grade facial, photos taken and then documents signed after a full explaination of what to expect the day of surgery and post op. I feel so fortunate to be in such good hands. The entire staff at Marina Plastic Surgery are extremely qualified and caring along with being a lot of fun!

I also had a pre-surgery physical with my internist and blood work, ekg and chest xray because I am over 60 and will be having general anethesia for my procedure.

My surgery date has been changed to the morning of July 16th. So excited to get this behind me along with the first couple weeks of healing. I have no concerns as I feel my surgeon is completely qualified and has been highly recommended. I also am in excellent health and am ready to do what is necessary for the best outcome.

One last thing, my surgeon talked to my fiance' and myself about the emotional feelings that occur during the healing process. I feel I will probably be like most and go through the ups and downs as the weeks go by. I think of it like childbirth...labor was a [RS bleep] but what a wonderful miracle once you get to hold your precious child! I'll try to post regularly as I go through the process.

My face and neck have aged so much in the past 8 years. I'm wanting the lackness removed and my eyelids to support themselves again so I can wear my contacts.