Never Thought It Would Happen to Me...

When I decided to have a neck/lower face lift, I went to multiple surgeons for a consultation and really researched my possible doctor, as we all should do. As soon as I met Dr. Batniji, I knew he was my guy. Beyond qualified, personable, and didn’t promise me the world. I didn’t want to be the perfect Barbie. I just wanted loose skin gone. He specializes in the neck up which was a great perk so I went with him.

I prepped for my big day and the staff was just amazing. I stayed overnight in their facility and literally had a nurse at my bed all night to make sure I was comfortable, not hungry, etc. Top-notch service. I was bruised but more yellow than black and blue. The pain was a little intense only at times, but the tightness was really tough. I assumed it was all part of the healing process and that it would get better in time. But I kept going down the rabbit hole of the internet, watching videos of other women that had the same procedure and were moving around like it was nothing. My neck and lower face did look great, and the swelling was minimal, but that tightness was horrible. Even 4 months out, showers and washing my hair were very painful. Even to the touch. Nor could I sleep on my ears. I felt like I was being choked by an invisible hand and I had duct tape wrapped around my neck. It was not fun. I waited and waited. Praying was just nerves that needed to heal. I tried everything to relieve it and nothing helped. It resorted to me just not sleeping at night anymore. I was starting to really lose it mentally. There was just no escape. After 8 months and multiple visits back to the doctor and my husband pleading, we decided to go in for a revision to see if we could loosen things up. Dr. Batniji found very little scar tissue and kind of redraped the sheets on the bed, so to speak. Fingers crossed. Fast forward a month or so and the tightness was still there. At the base of my ears to under my jowls. BUT… the choking in the center of the throat was relieved somewhat so that was something.

After trying massage, Botox, lymphatic drainage, acupuncture, nerve meds, CBD, chiropractors, sofwave therapy, and supplements, I’m pretty much in the same boat after my surgery. Something is just pissed off in there! I went to another reputable surgeon for advice, and we tried a few things, but nothing really helped. I did find a great PT gal that has loosened the tight tissue at the base of my ears & really works the fascia, so I do have some relief in that area. The tightness is unpredictable and seizes for no reason so I’m just learning to deal with it. It’s not getting worse, so I have that going for me.

Dr. Batniji also did a “skin pinch” lower lid blepharoplasty on me. All was well until my stitches did not dissolve and they left them in too long. I now have lovely suture holes under each eye that I putty with makeup. That was a nurse’s fault through… not Batinji. So that added to my frustration.

So you may be asking, would I do this again?? Honestly, hard to say. I HATED my gobble, gobble and my neck and jawline look great now. No scars are visible either. I could never have known this would happen. Yes….. I live with extreme tightness 24/7 but I honestly don’t think Dr. Batniji did anything wrong. He truly did all he could to try and help me and was so supportive. For whatever reason, my body just reacted this way. I’m 56, healthy and take care of myself, and followed instructions to a T, so honestly, I’m not sure what happened. I can only hope that in time, the tightness diminishes. This is something I volunteered to do. Nobody forced me. Just know that with all surgery, there is risk. Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen, but it is what it is at this point. At least I look good! LOL..