POSTED UNDER CO2 Laser REVIEWS
62 Yr Old, with Lots of Wrinkles - Wanted Co2 to Fix It. - Ottawa, ON
ORIGINAL POST
Decided to go thru with CO2, + upper eye bleph 3...
SuzySkinJuly 29, 2015
WORTH IT$7,500
Decided to go thru with CO2, + upper eye bleph 3 months earlier. I have a very high tolerance for pain... have had needles in my eyeball to prevent blindness from Diabetes, and hugely painful laser in the back of my eyes for the same reason. I am not a complaining type of person.
I was very grateful that my p. surgeon agreed to go ahead with my requests, even tho I have Diabetes + Addison's Disease. Because of this he wanted me to divide my CO2 into 3 parts = chin and mouth area, cheeks and then forehead. I convinced him that I'd be ok with cheeks + chin area together, as I seem to heal quite well on the face. Maybe I should've taken his advice!
He did warn me that I would HATE him, for the 1st two weeks of recovery! Boy, was he correct!!!
The Procedure: I had numbing cream applied, then had 8 extremely painful, freezing injections. I was not expecting that at all. He warned me that my heart would race like crazy and it did. My arms were shaking as well. During the procedure I could feel some painful burning!
My total take of the procedure = this is NOT for the faint of heart!!!
Now over the next 2 wks, I was told to keep vaseline on my face at all times. I had to splash cold water on my face for 5-6 times/day for the 1st week. I found this painful at 1st, as my skin burned and my teeth just ached. I felt totally frazzled by all this for the entire week! I felt like I was suffering PTSD and reliving the pain from the procedure! I did not feel good about it :-(
My skin was soooo itchy that I couldn't sleep at night. That is a big drain on your healing and energy levels, and I was totally dragged out.
Week 2, I was allowed to reduce the washings to 3 times/day. This made my life a lot easier and of course my skin was healing, so I could appreciate my new cheeks.
My chin needed 2 passes with the laser and was still a gooey mess of healing mushy lumps.
Now beginning of week 3, I start breaking out in zits = Dr said "no more vaseline" or any creams on my skin. So now I've got a chin area full of scaling skin and dry crusts and my whole face feels tight and itchy :-(
I'm normally calm and easy going, but this whole process takes a toll on you.
I would NEVER do this again, even tho my cheek results look great so far.
I will settle for Juvederm + Botox, for my forehead lines and any other wrinkle fix ups.
My upper bleh went off without a hitch. So I would do that kind of surgery again in a heart beat, but NO MORE LASER for me, no matter how good the results!!!!
I was very grateful that my p. surgeon agreed to go ahead with my requests, even tho I have Diabetes + Addison's Disease. Because of this he wanted me to divide my CO2 into 3 parts = chin and mouth area, cheeks and then forehead. I convinced him that I'd be ok with cheeks + chin area together, as I seem to heal quite well on the face. Maybe I should've taken his advice!
He did warn me that I would HATE him, for the 1st two weeks of recovery! Boy, was he correct!!!
The Procedure: I had numbing cream applied, then had 8 extremely painful, freezing injections. I was not expecting that at all. He warned me that my heart would race like crazy and it did. My arms were shaking as well. During the procedure I could feel some painful burning!
My total take of the procedure = this is NOT for the faint of heart!!!
Now over the next 2 wks, I was told to keep vaseline on my face at all times. I had to splash cold water on my face for 5-6 times/day for the 1st week. I found this painful at 1st, as my skin burned and my teeth just ached. I felt totally frazzled by all this for the entire week! I felt like I was suffering PTSD and reliving the pain from the procedure! I did not feel good about it :-(
My skin was soooo itchy that I couldn't sleep at night. That is a big drain on your healing and energy levels, and I was totally dragged out.
Week 2, I was allowed to reduce the washings to 3 times/day. This made my life a lot easier and of course my skin was healing, so I could appreciate my new cheeks.
My chin needed 2 passes with the laser and was still a gooey mess of healing mushy lumps.
Now beginning of week 3, I start breaking out in zits = Dr said "no more vaseline" or any creams on my skin. So now I've got a chin area full of scaling skin and dry crusts and my whole face feels tight and itchy :-(
I'm normally calm and easy going, but this whole process takes a toll on you.
I would NEVER do this again, even tho my cheek results look great so far.
I will settle for Juvederm + Botox, for my forehead lines and any other wrinkle fix ups.
My upper bleh went off without a hitch. So I would do that kind of surgery again in a heart beat, but NO MORE LASER for me, no matter how good the results!!!!
SuzySkin's provider
Replies (94)
July 30, 2015
I had the co2 laser resurfacing done in January around my mouth and under my eyes. I was under IV sedation(Propefol) and never felt a thing. However by day 3 the pain was intolerable. The doc had to send me by ambulance to the hospital from his office since my blood pressure was 200/123. I was told a few months later by my ob/gyn that I am suffering from post op depression and PTSD. Panic and anxiety suck! I had a great doctor but I just didn't tolerate the procedure well unlike some of my friends. Never again!
July 31, 2015
Guess your body knew what happened to it, even tho you were under
IV Sedation! Not an easy procedure to go thru or heal from.
IV Sedation! Not an easy procedure to go thru or heal from.
July 31, 2015
You look great! I am slated to have the procedure done in the Fall but after all the negative comments, am reconsidering. I am not calm or pain tolerant. In our city, the assistants do the procedure, not the surgeon, which I do not understand or like. I did have dermabrasion many years ago, in the old days in the hospital under anesthetic. It was a mess but only felt like a sunburn, & healed fairly well. I dont like the idea of being awake for this...
July 31, 2015
NEVER, NEVER get CO2 from anyone but a SURGEON!!!
This is a very intense procedure and needs the capable hands of a professional surgeon!! I can't emphasis this enough. Your face is too important not to have the very best. You deserve that.
I had 9 sessions of dermabrasion 10yrs ago, from an aesthetician in the surgeon's office. I never needed anesthetic and it just felt like a cat's tongue on your skin. This is something that an aesthetician CAN DO safely.
I would never even do Botox or Laser unless done by my P. Surgeon.
So Please, go to another surgeon who does the laser himself.
BTW, thanks for the compliment ;-)
This is a very intense procedure and needs the capable hands of a professional surgeon!! I can't emphasis this enough. Your face is too important not to have the very best. You deserve that.
I had 9 sessions of dermabrasion 10yrs ago, from an aesthetician in the surgeon's office. I never needed anesthetic and it just felt like a cat's tongue on your skin. This is something that an aesthetician CAN DO safely.
I would never even do Botox or Laser unless done by my P. Surgeon.
So Please, go to another surgeon who does the laser himself.
BTW, thanks for the compliment ;-)
August 1, 2015
So sorry you are going through this. My Co2 laser was by far the hardest recovery, and we are talking 17 years ago when it all first began. All that stinky, slimy exudate; and the itching! The burning! The white zits, the red zits, the green patches, the desperation of it all! I lived, but barely; the persistent redness was wretched (for me, a few years!) This procedure produces so much damage and suffering, it should be illegal. Except WE signed on the dotted line!
August 1, 2015
Yup, we signed up for it willingly... thinking it wasn't going to be that bad. Talk about misconceptions!!!
Even tho there are negative reviews, you just think that it won't be like that for you. I thought the negative responses were from "weak individuals" who couldn't take a bit of pain or discomfort.
Boy was I WRONG!!!
Even tho there are negative reviews, you just think that it won't be like that for you. I thought the negative responses were from "weak individuals" who couldn't take a bit of pain or discomfort.
Boy was I WRONG!!!
UPDATED FROM SuzySkin
19 days post
More on Healing...
SuzySkinAugust 1, 2015
Am in day 20 now. Last wk Dr said to stop ALL creams because I was breaking out.
That's when I started to flake really badly = ick, not again!!
Anyhow, I cheated and am using their medical products = a 30 spf lotion and Vit C+E oil. At least it helps hide most of the flakes.
I am pleased with the results and I'm sure it'll get better. That being said, I wouldn't wish this process on anyone :-(
Today I actually put on makeup but only on my eye area AND I feel quite human, once again. LOL
That's when I started to flake really badly = ick, not again!!
Anyhow, I cheated and am using their medical products = a 30 spf lotion and Vit C+E oil. At least it helps hide most of the flakes.
I am pleased with the results and I'm sure it'll get better. That being said, I wouldn't wish this process on anyone :-(
Today I actually put on makeup but only on my eye area AND I feel quite human, once again. LOL
Replies (15)
August 2, 2015
Wow, what a difference 3 weeks makes. Your skin looks amazing and remember that because of the CO2 the collagen production is boosted for a very long time helping the wrinkling of the skin. You had a heck of a procedure and recovery. So sorry it was so difficult. But gosh you look so much younger!
August 2, 2015
Sorry, I meant, the collagen production helps ward off the wrinkling of the skin!
April 16, 2016
Give it some time! U may change your mind in a few months! Your going to look fantastic I can tell already!
February 19, 2017
You like total different ..You look so young. Great job...Enjoy you are beautiful...it look so painful but beautiful
February 19, 2017
Thanks so much :-)
i'm going 2 post an update photo today, as it's almost been a full yr since my 4head CO2.
i'm going 2 post an update photo today, as it's almost been a full yr since my 4head CO2.
February 19, 2017
Looks great. .makes me want to do this...I had a facelift 2 years ago and didn`t do anything but cost 16000.00. Everything has to be redone at my money again. I am not the only one that got taken several other women went through the same in the Richmond Va. area. My eyes are worse now than what they were before facelift. I am going this week to a plastic surgeon and see about a redo not in the Richmond area. Keep up the good work and keep looking young.
February 20, 2017
Hope everything works out this time! Very hard to trust another PS once u've had a bad experience :-(
February 20, 2017
Very upsetting when you waste that kind of money. I only work part time and I am scared to go through this again but with my eyes I have no other choice. Thanks
and enjoy your face you are worth it.
and enjoy your face you are worth it.
October 4, 2017
You look fantastic!
UPDATED FROM SuzySkin
21 days post
Side Effect of CO2 Laser....
SuzySkinAugust 4, 2015
Hi all, just thought I'd add another story about the AFTER CO2 laser procedure.
It's sort of funny... because I started making weird faces to relieve the itching skin around my mouth.
Since u are not allowed to scratch, I'd move my mouth around from side to side.
I didn't even realize I was doing this, until my husband said, "STOP"! And he'd say that every time he'd see me making weird faces. LOL
Thank goodness he noticed, cause I didn't realize that I was even doing this. I had gotten into that crazy habit within just a few days! Can u image!
I had to really concentrate on NOT DOING this stupid habit and finally STOPPED = Phew :-)
It's sort of funny... because I started making weird faces to relieve the itching skin around my mouth.
Since u are not allowed to scratch, I'd move my mouth around from side to side.
I didn't even realize I was doing this, until my husband said, "STOP"! And he'd say that every time he'd see me making weird faces. LOL
Thank goodness he noticed, cause I didn't realize that I was even doing this. I had gotten into that crazy habit within just a few days! Can u image!
I had to really concentrate on NOT DOING this stupid habit and finally STOPPED = Phew :-)
Replies (3)
August 4, 2015
I "patted" my skin to relieve itching. Fortunately, my (my only housemate) had a high threshold for annoying behavior, largely his OWN.
December 14, 2018
I was researching and considering this treatment... not any more. I think the SMAS face/necklift and upper eyelid is the treatment for me. Many say it doesn't hurt, skin just feels a little tight.
What you describe about laser treatment is torture!!
What you describe about laser treatment is torture!!
Thank you for sharing your experience here on RealSelf. Keep us posted on your final results.