POSTED UNDER Facelift Reviews
70 Year Old Female Scheduled for Face, Neck & Brow Lift
UPDATED FROM sandiamos
5 months post
From then (Jan 29th) to now (June 7th)
WORTH IT$15,000
It's been more than 4 months since my original procedures & 3 weeks today since my laser treatment. So I thought I would share a few of my thoughts.
The upside: I love my skin texture & colour (from the laser treatment), my neck line & my wrinkle free chest area (from the surgery). A lot of my facial wrinkles are gone! All my age spots have disappeared and my skin tone is wonderful (once again the laser). I would do the laser again in a heartbeat but maybe have them do the deepest setting possible on those stubborn wrinkles around my mouth area. My recovery time from all the procedures was minimal (by my standards anyway...everyone is different) My neck is probably the biggest surgery improvement....I am so pleased with that part.
The downside: I still have numbness in my right ear and part of the right cheek area. I also have tightness in my neck. And some of my wrinkles are still there:-)
I have posted a picture that was taken pre any procedures & one today 3 weeks post laser.
I sometimes look at my after photos & I am concerned that I am portraying the results in a better light than what they actually are. So I had my hubby critique the after photo & he said it looks like I look. I hope that makes sense.
I will try and copy this onto my laser review as well..hopefully it will work.
Cheers,
Sandy.
sandiamos's provider
UPDATED FROM sandiamos
4 months post
Laser Resurfacing
Hey gals...I've decided to start a 2nd review to follow my laser resurfacing journey. Hopefully some of you will join me!
I'm not sure if following my name will bring you to the correct review..but Laser Resurfacing should.
I'm not sure if following my name will bring you to the correct review..but Laser Resurfacing should.
Replies (5)
May 19, 2016
Sorry the below should have read search laser resurfacing to get to the correct link..
May 19, 2016
How long did it take to resolve your seroma/hematoma? I am Day 16 and developed one on the side of my neck which has been drained 3x and will be drained again tomorrow. I can't even think about posting a picture as my face is so swelled and bruised.
May 19, 2016
I think it was actually close to a month before it was fully resolved. Mine seemed to be associated with the salivary gland so every time I ate something it flared up. I got used to applying pressure to that area whenever I ate anything & gradually it disappeared. Hopefully yours will too! Are you applying pressure after it's drained? That also seems to help.
May 19, 2016
I am doing hot compresses and massage which is apparently stage 2. The entire side of my face and under my chin is so swelled I can hardly move my neck. I look forward to the draining but I still look like a truck ran over my neck. Bruising is severe and extends to my chest. Apparently the cause is a blood vessel leak in the side of my neck. I am 63 and am day 16 but if I posted, I would scare everyone from the idea of plastic surgery. BTW, you look terrific!
May 20, 2016
Aww..thank you for the lovely compliment. I think patience is the biggest hurdle when going thru these procedures. I assume your doctor is not worried? Is it getting smaller at least with each draining? I found that if I massaged the area & tried to compress it after the draining it seemed to slowly lose size & eventually healed. I hope that it resolves quickly for you. And I would post pictures! I think it's important for possible PS candidates to have all the facts; not just the great stories. Cheers, Sandy
May 20, 2016
Just saw ps and he was distressed. Drained two cannulas of blood and I am going back into surgery on Tuesday for a drain insertion, 3 weeks after I had it done initially. Thanks so much! Sharon
May 20, 2016
That's the pits; but hopefully the drain should cure the problem. I know there is always a chance that drains might be needed and inserted during the initial surgery (apparently the PS makes the decision dependent on how much we bleed).
Lots of people have drains; but I'm sure it's not what you wanted to get done this far post op:-(
Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome. Let me know how it goes.
Sandy
Lots of people have drains; but I'm sure it's not what you wanted to get done this far post op:-(
Keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome. Let me know how it goes.
Sandy
May 24, 2016
Drain placed in Sunday during general surgery. Now the blood is outside, not inside! Feeling much more relaxed as I'm not worried about the build-up inside. BTW, I had 2 rounds of profactional laser in 2011 and while the healing time took forever, people couldn't get over my skin. I am a redhead and the freckles totally disappeared as did all the rest of the sun damage. Even today, people ask me why my skin is so beautiful.
May 24, 2016
So happy for you....now the worst is over! I guess the drain will stay in until there is no more 'fluid'?
I'm happy with my results from the laser. Still got those blasted around the mouth wrinkles though. But I don't think I would do another round...time to accept me as I am:-)
I'm happy with my results from the laser. Still got those blasted around the mouth wrinkles though. But I don't think I would do another round...time to accept me as I am:-)
May 20, 2016
Hi Sandi, Carol here...enjoyed reading about your journey...I am 68 and doing upper and lower bleph, facelift, necklift , laser around lips and fat injections...in five days. Looking forward to hearing about your laser experience
May 20, 2016
Hi Carol: Good luck with all your procedures. I know some people cringe when they think of having all that done; but I personally think it's a good idea. I had to wait for my laser since my PS's office didn't have one yet. I hope that you will start a review; they are so helpful to people who are researching. Cheers, Sandy
May 23, 2016
I don't think they were really sure. I guess if it had persisted they would have explored further. I did some research & because it seemed to be triggered whenever I ate I think it was related to the saliva gland. And my PS did say that sometimes the gland (parotid gland I think) can be damaged during a face lift. It sits right in front of the ear so I guess it's in a place where it could be comprised by the surgery. I had a previous facelift when I was 50 & I think there was quite a bit of scar tissue left from that (according to my PS) & I'm sure that was part of the reason. In any case we didn't pursue it further because it resolved itself without any further intervention with the exception of the drainings. If you're worried about it discuss it with your PS; but I think they're pretty rare & other than a bit of a PITA it really wasn't a big issue.
May 23, 2016
Thanks Sandy...you are so kind to share your information. Tommorow is the big day...did you do the laser...have not seen any comments
May 20, 2016
I saw your sisters reviewing that was really impressive can't wait to see what happens Sandy.
May 20, 2016
Me too Red:-) It's going to be a bit of a long haul I think. But hopefully it will be worth it in the end.
UPDATED FROM sandiamos
3 months post
Next Step
Hi everyone. I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would 'check in'. I am very happy with my results. I still have some swelling under my chin. It seems to be dependent on what I eat (salty nacho chips) or do (helping a friend move furniture yesterday). So today as per the after picture there is a little more volume than normal. My neck is still 'tight' which I don't mind as I think he did such a great job! And my right ear is still numb (it's really weird to put in an earring when there is no feeling in that area...careful is the buzz word for that!) But I know that's all to be expected & I'm fine with it.
I actually like the little zaps that I get every now and then in my chin area...I take it to mean that the
nerves are reconnecting.
Of course now I'm looking for my next 'fix'. As in laser for my facial wrinkles. I'm still torn between the one that basically emulsifies the top layer (or two) of your skin or the one that pokes holes in an effort to produce more collagen. My sister had the first one & her results were amazing...but the downtime is more and the procedure itself more painful. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am happy to see that all my peeps are doing well & happy with their results. Without all of you this journey would have been a lot more difficult.
Stay tuned for round two:-)
Sandy
I actually like the little zaps that I get every now and then in my chin area...I take it to mean that the
nerves are reconnecting.
Of course now I'm looking for my next 'fix'. As in laser for my facial wrinkles. I'm still torn between the one that basically emulsifies the top layer (or two) of your skin or the one that pokes holes in an effort to produce more collagen. My sister had the first one & her results were amazing...but the downtime is more and the procedure itself more painful. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am happy to see that all my peeps are doing well & happy with their results. Without all of you this journey would have been a lot more difficult.
Stay tuned for round two:-)
Sandy
Replies (5)
April 12, 2016
As always sister - u look beautiful :-)
I honestly think that u will need to do the full on ablative CO2, which is what I had done. It's the most effective!
U r like me and want the best outcome. Yes it's the worst procedure with lots of down time, but with the best results. I'm not sure u would settle for less?
Luv ya xo
I honestly think that u will need to do the full on ablative CO2, which is what I had done. It's the most effective!
U r like me and want the best outcome. Yes it's the worst procedure with lots of down time, but with the best results. I'm not sure u would settle for less?
Luv ya xo
April 12, 2016
I have had the Dot Laser the down Time was no where near as bad as CO2 the results are fantastic I had 3 treatments so happy, Many years ago through serious sun damage I had the Co2 when I was around 38 sitting in the Sun every day on Bondi Beach, my Skin was not good also had something to do with genetics. Was happy with the results painful a lot more aggressive. The Dot therapy does not lift the whole layer of skin off can be more aggressive but great results and less downtime and Zip pain. just a thought.
April 12, 2016
Thanks for sharing your experience! What condition was your skin in when you had the Dot laser. Mine is very wrinkled...pretty much like you stated....sun & genetics.
April 13, 2016
Mine was very wrinkled so I had the more aggressive but was so much easier than the Co2 you need to speak to your surgeon and see what he recommends but I found the Dot laser the Go. Good luck you look fantastic
April 13, 2016
I am glad to see that you are doing well, I am only 4 weeks post of and have the exact problems that you are experiencing at 2 months so I guess I still have that to look forward to LOL my ear is not numb but the side of my face and under my neck glad things are going well for you you look awesome
April 13, 2016
Thanks Pinkieleeoo...I know it's important to know what to expect. And this is the place to get that info! Cheers.
May 1, 2016
Hi, your results are really impressive and you do look so pretty! Thought I would just chime in regarding the CO2 or other choices. I had the CO 2fractionated one (the one that leaves the dots) about 5 years ago (I was 60). I was pretty happy with it but my main purpose had been to get rid of some age spots and was also a little hopeful about getting rid of a few wrinkles - although I didn't have many at all. It was very easy and very little down time and successful for me as it did not only get rid of many age spots and lessen others but gave my skin a youthful, dewy glow. I don't think it affected wrinkles but I was very concerned about that then (a bit more now :) ). So, thinking your sister is probably right for your own case :). Good luck!
May 1, 2016
Thanks for the nice comment! I'm not sure what I will do about the laser. My PS office called me with a freebie offer...they're getting a laser & looking for someone to be the
'first'. Free works for me:-) And it was something that I was seriously considering doing anyway. I am going to meet with the Plastic Surgeon mid May & have it done a week after that. So I will know more about what to expect when I see her for the initial consultation. Cheers...Sandy
'first'. Free works for me:-) And it was something that I was seriously considering doing anyway. I am going to meet with the Plastic Surgeon mid May & have it done a week after that. So I will know more about what to expect when I see her for the initial consultation. Cheers...Sandy
May 1, 2016
I had freckles before the Fractional Co2 laser and it removed all of my freckles. I had loads of freckles before this. My freckles stayed away for a good year and a half. Then I visited too many sun places and they are back...but a lot less. I had no wrinkles left after this treatment...yes, they are slowly coming back. I am at my 4 year mark...but very few.
May 1, 2016
GO for the Co2 laser...it heals pretty fast. My friend had Abrasion. It seemed to take forever to heal. I also had the under chin swelling on and off. It finally stopped. But it took at least 6 months and had some here and there un till about 10 months. Wait till your one year mark. That is the true difference.
May 1, 2016
So the CO2 laser is the one that leaves the dots? I am so confused by all the different types!
Replies (5)