Time to Look As Good As I Feel and Ready to Hit 60 Head-on!! Neck Lift, Brow Lift and Facelift Should Help!! - Oklahoma City

Well, I've been following several of you for the past few months and I am so grateful for your courage, honesty and willingness to share your journey. Thank you!! Your results have been fantastic and I can only hope that mine are, as well. I know many, maybe even most, don't understand why we would want to have this surgery and I'm okay with that, but I've decided to own it and not apologize for it! I read where Carmen, that gorgeous 80-something model, once said, if the ceiling in your living room falls down, you get it put back up!! However, my journey will be shared here and not on social media :)

As I begin to write my personal introduction on RS, I realize just what a big deal it is to present yourself in all your vulnerability!! Especially if you've never really liked having your photo taken in the first place, but here goes!!

My journey here has been a long time in the making. Both of my parents always looked, and were perceived as much younger than they were at any given age. I assumed that would be the case for me, but, alas I was wrong! I've never smoked and have only had the occasional cocktail or glass of wine, so that hasn't entered into the equation of why I have aged so prematurely. The first time I was truly aware I looked older than my age I was only 26 and someone said I looked at least 32. That sort of stunned me, but not nearly as much as the first time it was assumed I was a grandmother at the ripe old age of 33!! Now, that will mess with you in a big way! And, so it has been for many years. The final straw was after my mother died at the age of 75 when I accompanied my 80 year old dad to the doctor one day and it was assumed I was his wife!! That is just wrong in every way! I have always taken care of myself physically and from below the neck have managed to keep things in pretty good shape. I am in perfect health and feel quite young except when I look in the mirror or see photos or the reaction from someone when they learn my true age. Sometimes I want to give my age as 10 years older just to avoid the "shocker" looks! How many women want to do that?? I have even avoided going to events where I would see people I haven't seen in awhile because I didn't want to see their reaction to how I've aged, so clearly it has affected my self-confidence. And, now I'm ready to turn things around at 59! If I come thru this just looking my age, I'll be happy and if I should be so lucky as to look even younger, I'll be ecstatic :)

My main area of concern is my wrinkled, saggy neck, but am also bothered by the way my upper eyelids are creased from years of squinting due to super light sensitivity, however, not much can be done about that surgically, but Botox should help. I first consulted my PS back in January and was scheduled for a neck lift, face lift and slight brow lift in March, but had to cancel because of an issue in the family, and due to a busy summer decided to schedule it for September 14, but had to reschedule again due to having to help take care of my dad for several days around that time, so I am now scheduled for a fresh new look on November 2 and I cannot wait! Honestly, the only thing I'm worried about at all is my dad needing me while I am recuperating, but he seems to being great right now. I've told a few friends, my sons and my hairdresser and they have all been so supportive and encouraging. Of course, my sons don't think mom needs "work" :) My husband would prefer I didn't have the procedure primarily for medical reasons. He is a physician and worries about the unnecessary risks for an elective procedure. I appreciate his position, but I told him I really need his support in this. I think he finally understands how real this is to me and I know I can count on him. He is a wonderful man and I'm blessed to be loved by him. I will be having my surgery at a hospital and he will stay the night with me. I'm planning to manage on my own after the first few days when he returns to work, although my bestie is on call. Thank heaven for our girlfriends! A shout out to @Makeitup, who looks not a day over 35 now, for her awesome prep list and tips!!

I had my last pre-op visit with my PS Tuesday and am even more excited than ever to do this. I have felt comfortable and confident in him since our first meeting, but more so each visit. I think I may actually make it to the surgery date this time :) Appreciate the support, prayers and encouragement!

Spent the weekend seeing the grands and getting last minute things ready for the big day tomorrow! No nerves, just excitement to finally be getting this done. My husband has been an absolute jewel this weekend helping me get it together and just making it about me, which I greatly appreciate. I know tomorrow will be a very long day for him as the surgery is scheduled to be 7.5 hours, so two of our sons are going to come hang out with him at the hospital. Once again, I really appreciate the wonderful support and encouragement this site offers through all of the beautiful women who so generously share their stories! And, now, ready to tell the rest of my story on the younger side of life!

So, Monday was THE day I've been looking forward to for so long, and as far as I know, everything went according to plan and came off without a hitch! My husband and I arrived at the surgery center about 7 a.m. and I was taken back to the OR about 9 after having met with my PS for a final walk through and getting the requisite facial markings, then we met with his brother, who was my anesthesiologist and he assured us both that he would take excellent care of me for the next 7-8 hours. They are a wonderful duo! I was so grateful that our sons were there, too, as I know they were good company for my sweet husband, and helped keep him a little distracted. Surgery was over about 5 and I was moved to a room about 6:30, where the only real issue I had was a very tender right heel from pressure and eyes on fire from the ointment, but once my eyes were flushed with saline and Valium was administered I did fine. I was discharged about 7:30 the next morning and spent the day mostly in and out of sleep! The heel is back to normal now and have had no more issues with the eyes. I didn't have any problems with nausea, for which I am most grateful! I can't imagine having to deal with that! I was given Percocet for pain the first night and then switched to Tylenol, but have only taken one at bedtime and have been sleeping pretty much sitting straight up without any problem. I've had very little bruising or swelling and only minor discomfort from the head bandages, but will be glad to bid it farewell next week when I see the doctor on Tuesday for final removal of the dressing. All of my sutures are dissolvable and I have no staples, so nothing to remove in the coming days. Having trouble getting photos to load properly, so will work on that!