New Orleans Facelift, 54 from Jowls to WOWs

I started my research over 2 years ago here on RealSelf, reading reviews, studying pictures and the details of several doctors work. I narrowed down my search and had a few consultations that varied in cost, recommended treatments and techniques. When I met with Dr. Velargo and heard his recommendation for me I knew he was the one. He took time examining my facial structure and his plan addressed my face as a whole. I’ve had a full face with high cheekbones my whole life, as I’ve aged all the fullness has fallen to my lower face, jawline and neck. My plan included a brow lift, cheek and lower face and neck lift. The price listed is with local anesthetic only, which is what I requested. We live out of town and booked a very nice hotel room at the Alder Hotel, just a block from Dr. Velargo’s office, and next door to Ochsner Baptist Hospital. It was beautiful so on the morning of the surgery 5/29 my husband and I walked to his office arriving at 8am. My husband then went back to our hotel room where Dr. Velargo’s wonderful staff called to update him on my progress and to wait until the surgery was completed. Dr. Velargo first, very carefully marked my face, having me make expressions and feeling where different muscles were moving. Then I was given a cocktail of pills to relax. The actual surgery started about 9:30 and was completed around 2:30. The numbing shots were the worse part, although was awake I couldn’t feel any pain of the actual surgery just the sensations of pulling. The way I would describe it is like someone is putting a shoe on you, you can feel the movement of lacing a shoe but it feels very removed, if that makes sense. Dr. Velargo is a perfectionist, the incisions are hidden in my hairline and ears and the stitches were very small and flat. Dr. Velargo contacted my husband the evening of the surgery to check on me and I went back the next morning (Thursday) to have the head wrap and drains removed. We decided to stay in town an extra night and visited Dr. Velargo’s office to check me again before we left town, we live 3 hours away. I took 3 prescription pain pills total then switched to Tylenol. Today, exactly 7 days since the surgery I returned to have the stitches removed, except for the one earlobe stitch, 7 more days for those. Dr Velargo is very pleased with the progress of my healing. It honestly is shocking with the amount of work he did repositioning all the muscles in my face and neck and liposuction to sculpt my cheeks and jawline that I look this normal so soon. Of course I have bruising most of it is yellow and swelling, but aside from tightness in my muscles everything is moving in the correct directions and my smile is even. I am beyond happy at this point and can tell his attention to detail will make my face as symmetrical as possible. I highly recommend this man, he is the real deal. His coordinator, Brittany is awesome and I can’t say enough about Daphanie his nurse/surgery assistant, I felt very comforted with her there and Lindsey too. These people are genuinely nice. I’m posting pictures through today, day 7, and will update again in a week. I put the days on the pictures in case they don’t load in order.

Today I was able to wash my hair and dry it after getting my stitches out yesterday. I have no pain just tightness, swelling and bruising but is steadily improving. Im also able to open my mouth wider and chew food more easily. The first few days my jaw was sore and I couldn’t open my mouth wide, so I ate mostly soft food. I feel pretty great and am excited to see the daily changes.

Today I was able to do my regular 3 1/2 mile brisk walk. I had no problems at all, it felt great. The swelling is improving and the bruises are fading, with my hair down no one would know I just had surgery. The remaining visible bruises are on mostly one side of my neck with yellow fading down to my collar bone. My husband who just 6 months ago wasn’t really on board thinks I look fantastic. He really has been very supportive and has taken great care of me, I’m very lucky. Only my husband and best friend know, no one else, it will be interesting when I see my family and other friends. I did get a haircut just prior to the surgery hopefully it will deflect some, but I doubt it. Dr. Velargo did such a great job! Oh well, I don’t care, I take pride in my appearance and like my husband so sweetly said “This is my new face for the second half of my life”. I love him!