POSTED UNDER Facelift REVIEWS
57 Years Old, Sick of "Resting Bitch Face" and Turkey Neck. Pasadena, CA
ORIGINAL POST
My jawline was sagging, my mouth drooped down and...
WORTH IT$11,250
My jawline was sagging, my mouth drooped down and I had a turkey neck. I was tired of people asking me if I was OK, what's wrong, etc., when my face was at rest. If I was smiling it looked OK, but at rest, I just looked pissed off and tired. So after much reading and contemplating, I had a lower face/necklift.
I am 5 1/2 weeks in; the good news is I love my jawline and my turkey wattle is gone. But it's been a tough recovery. My right eyebrow doesn't move, I'm numb and stiff, my ears hurt, I have bright red marks on my neck, my face is hard, my smile is a bit rigid and uneven due to the facial hardness. Trying to be patient and hopeful through the discomfort and feelings of uncertainty.
I believe this will all end up OK in time and I would recommend my doctor heartily, both for expertise and for demeanor. My angst has nothing to do with him; I just didn't expect the recovery to be so complex and long. All that stuff I read about "the first two weeks are bad"? More like two months, at least, and more. My expectations of healing time weren't realistic -- perhaps I didn't research enough, but I figured it I read TOO much, I'd scare myself out of it!
I don't regret doing it, not for a second, but I do wish the healing would go a bit faster and I had a timeline of when my eyebrow/forehead nerves will come back. My doctor has assured me that he has never seen the nerves NOT regenerate, and I know this sort of thing is common and it heals, but it's still rattling me. It's hard because I don't have friends who have had facelifts, so I don't have anyone to talk to and compare notes with. Hoping to find some people here.
I hope I don't sound like a whiner. But it's ironic that, when you have a surgery to make yourself look better, you have to go through looking and feeling worse for a while! Really messes with your head.
I am 5 1/2 weeks in; the good news is I love my jawline and my turkey wattle is gone. But it's been a tough recovery. My right eyebrow doesn't move, I'm numb and stiff, my ears hurt, I have bright red marks on my neck, my face is hard, my smile is a bit rigid and uneven due to the facial hardness. Trying to be patient and hopeful through the discomfort and feelings of uncertainty.
I believe this will all end up OK in time and I would recommend my doctor heartily, both for expertise and for demeanor. My angst has nothing to do with him; I just didn't expect the recovery to be so complex and long. All that stuff I read about "the first two weeks are bad"? More like two months, at least, and more. My expectations of healing time weren't realistic -- perhaps I didn't research enough, but I figured it I read TOO much, I'd scare myself out of it!
I don't regret doing it, not for a second, but I do wish the healing would go a bit faster and I had a timeline of when my eyebrow/forehead nerves will come back. My doctor has assured me that he has never seen the nerves NOT regenerate, and I know this sort of thing is common and it heals, but it's still rattling me. It's hard because I don't have friends who have had facelifts, so I don't have anyone to talk to and compare notes with. Hoping to find some people here.
I hope I don't sound like a whiner. But it's ironic that, when you have a surgery to make yourself look better, you have to go through looking and feeling worse for a while! Really messes with your head.
EricaLS's provider
UPDATED FROM EricaLS
2 months post
Added a photo
Has anyone else had these kinds of red marks on their neck? How long did they take to go away?
Replies (15)
December 3, 2014
Put that question on "ask the doctor". I am puzzled - but your looking good - and it just gets better and better
December 9, 2014
what are they from? A bandage maybe? Please tell me when u find out because I am so afraid of doing this, so I want to know everything.
December 10, 2014
My doctor feels they are from a combination of the drains that were in my neck, and the compression bandage. My neck is extremely sensitive and apparently it didn't like either one of those things. He says the redness will fade out in time. Meanwhile, it's mostly covered by my hair, and can also be covered by makeup.
Try not to read too many of the "horror" stories (not on here, but they are elsewhere); a lot of people go to really cheap, chop-shop doctors and they get what they pay for, sadly. If you read too much negative stuff, you'll never go through with it. Focus on the great results that thousands of people do have. :-)
December 10, 2014
Thank you so much for
Your response.
The horror stories to tend to freak me out. I do so badly want my neck to look better than I does now. But the stories of PAIN, tightness, numbness, not being to turn their head, etc really have me wondering. One woman wrote how she took 3 years researching before going ahead with it and she sounds very regretful that she did it.
Honestly, I don't know what to think. I have a very low
threshold for pain and
suffering. I admit that I
Am frightened. Does your neck hurt. Do the drains and bandages feel awful. Could you sleep while recovering? I would think by 5 & 1/2 weeks post op you would be healed.
Thank you again for your encouraging reply. You really do look fabulous.
December 10, 2014
Some tightness is normal; it loosens up after a while. Mine has. I can turn my head comfortably, lean it back, etc. There is some pain, but it is manageable. I was given prescription pain meds in the beginning, and I only needed them for a few days. Then I was able to switch to Advil, and I'm not even taking that anymore. The drains are only in there right after the surgery to collect fluid; mine were taken out the next day, as were the bandages. I have been able to sleep very well; in fact, the first couple of weeks, all I wanted to do was sleep. Healing takes time because there is a lot of cutting done, a lot of nerves are affected, and so it's a slow process. But I am seeing improvement every week. Remember, the FULL recovery can take months, even up to a year. But you will feel OK long before that.
June 16, 2015
99% of people with facelife/neck lift experience tightness or numbness. During surgery - even twilight sedation you will not feel a thing. I think if you have lazering done on skin - that can be disconcerting and the doctor will up your sedation if you mention warmth. I think a lot of patients who suffer pain come from the brow lift - that seems to be a different set of nerves and muscles which are traumatized - but meds can alleviate it. They also give you a type of amnesiac pain killer which will wipe away most unpleasant parts. trust me I am a big sissy, red head, cry baby and only once did I say 'ouch' I felt that when he clipped a stitch. I believe it is really worth it. Have faith in your doctor and a good attitude when you go under and you will be fine and beautiful on the other side. good luck
December 11, 2014
How are your red marks now? I don't have red marks but my neck is very sore to the touch still (5 weeks today), still swelling, and there are strange bumps that come and go on it. It also continues to feel very tight and I just have to rest my head at points.
December 11, 2014
I still have the red marks, but they don't hurt. I do still have some tightness, but that is improving all the time. At this point, I am putting makeup on the marks when I go out, and feeling grateful they're on my neck and not my face! :-)
June 16, 2015
I agree about the strange bumps and lumps that move around under the surface - I am 7 weeks out - have quite a bit of numbess on cheeks and in front of ear/platysmal band. The snap crackle and pop of the nerves reconnecting can be disconcerting - but make me happy that I am still healing and tightening at this point. Hang in there - it is so nice not to look like a hound dog when at rest - I too always looked angry or sad. You look terrific!
January 16, 2015
Hi I had a lower facelift and neck 10 days ago....I have to say this was the most painless procedure that I have ever had. I don't understand why your eyebrow and forehead have been affected since you did not have a brow lift or your eyes done?? 14 years ago I had a complete lift, forehead, upper and lower eyes, lower face and neck. It was a horribly painful experience
January 16, 2015
opps hit send to soon. but when all healed I was thrilled with the results. This time I just needed lower and neck...like you when I was smiling I was fine but at rest I looked like a droop. I also had fat injections from my body injected into the folds around the nose and into my lips. I am trying to be patient and I know it takes up to 6 months to see the final results. I think you look beautiful....wow you knocked a good 10 years off your face....be patient girlie is was worth it and it just gets better and better.
January 16, 2015
Thank you! The doctor explained it to me this way: there is a facial nerve in front of the ear, where they make incisions, that has several branches that extend out into the face. One of those branches goes up through the eyebrow and forehead. When that nerve gets bruised or traumatized, it can temporarily freeze up. My eyebrow didn't move for two months, but now it's fine. :-)
April 19, 2016
What are the red marks on your neck from? Are those incisions?
UPDATED FROM EricaLS
2 months post
Two months in
It will be two months tomorrow since I had my surgery, so I thought it was time for an update.
Overall, I seem to be progressing nicely. The swelling and hardness are greatly improved. The sides of my face are still rigid and numb, and my ears still have a lot of discomfort, but overall, I feel much better. It hurts to talk on the phone, since the phone pressing against my ear is painful; however, I don't like talking on the phone anyway, so it's not that much of an issue. My cheekbones have come back into view, and my smile is almost completely back; just very slightly off on the right due to the cheek hardness, but I think at this point, I'm the only one who sees it. My energy level is back to normal. Oh, and my libido has returned -- 'nuff said there. My hair stopped shedding, and now I am able to style and blow-dry it as usual; no more bandannas. My facial skin is smooth and people have asked me if I had a laser treatment as well as the facelift, but I did not. My jawline is perfect and my turkey neck is gone, gone, gone.
The not-so-good:
1. Right eyebrow is still paralyzed. My doctor told me that this is a rarity (lucky me!!), but also that he's never seen or heard of it not coming back, so all I can do it wait and hope. Fortunately, it's just the eyebrow, and not the eye itself. In the beginning, my eye was slightly frozen too, and the right one didn't blink the same as the left, so I looked like I was constantly winking. I have been told it's not obvious that one eyebrow doesn't move; I guess my bangs cover it.
2. Still have the bright red marks on my neck. Again, time will have to take care of those. Meanwhile, I am using BioCorneum scar gel on them and I can cover them up with makeup. Again, my hair covers up most of them.
I attached a couple of recent face selfies, one not smiling so you can see how my face looks at rest. No more angry face!
I will be seeing my doctor in mid-January, so until then, will continue to heal and progress. I now realize that full recovery takes longer than I'd thought, and I'm more relaxed about the process. I think I am ready to change my "not sure" into "worth it." :-)
Overall, I seem to be progressing nicely. The swelling and hardness are greatly improved. The sides of my face are still rigid and numb, and my ears still have a lot of discomfort, but overall, I feel much better. It hurts to talk on the phone, since the phone pressing against my ear is painful; however, I don't like talking on the phone anyway, so it's not that much of an issue. My cheekbones have come back into view, and my smile is almost completely back; just very slightly off on the right due to the cheek hardness, but I think at this point, I'm the only one who sees it. My energy level is back to normal. Oh, and my libido has returned -- 'nuff said there. My hair stopped shedding, and now I am able to style and blow-dry it as usual; no more bandannas. My facial skin is smooth and people have asked me if I had a laser treatment as well as the facelift, but I did not. My jawline is perfect and my turkey neck is gone, gone, gone.
The not-so-good:
1. Right eyebrow is still paralyzed. My doctor told me that this is a rarity (lucky me!!), but also that he's never seen or heard of it not coming back, so all I can do it wait and hope. Fortunately, it's just the eyebrow, and not the eye itself. In the beginning, my eye was slightly frozen too, and the right one didn't blink the same as the left, so I looked like I was constantly winking. I have been told it's not obvious that one eyebrow doesn't move; I guess my bangs cover it.
2. Still have the bright red marks on my neck. Again, time will have to take care of those. Meanwhile, I am using BioCorneum scar gel on them and I can cover them up with makeup. Again, my hair covers up most of them.
I attached a couple of recent face selfies, one not smiling so you can see how my face looks at rest. No more angry face!
I will be seeing my doctor in mid-January, so until then, will continue to heal and progress. I now realize that full recovery takes longer than I'd thought, and I'm more relaxed about the process. I think I am ready to change my "not sure" into "worth it." :-)
Replies (9)
December 17, 2014
Your eyebrow and eye are/were frozen from a lower facelift? I didn't know such a significant issue of the upper eye and brow could happen. Live and learn...glad things are improving and that you are pleased with the result.
December 17, 2014
There is a major nerve -- I forgot the name, on the side of the face, in front of the ear -- with several branches, one of which extends into the forehead/eyebrow area. My doctor said these nerve branches can get traumatized and take a while to regenerate.
December 17, 2014
I am amazed that you recommend your doctor so highly when you have had so much difficulty recovering from a lower face lift. You look fantastic, however the discomfort sounded pretty bad.
December 17, 2014
My recovery has nothing to do with my doctor; I firmly believe that. He is a lovely man, very competent and caring, and I had read nothing but good things about him. When I was in the surgery facility being prepped, the nurse noticed who was doing my facelift and explained "Oh, we're all lining up for him! He does beautiful facelifts." This wasn't anyone affiliated with him.
Everyone's recovery is different and mine has not been easy, but it has progressed steadily and my doctor has been supportive through every step. :-)
December 18, 2014
I truly admire your loyalty and wish you a continued full and recovery. Your pictures
so indeed show an excellent aesthetic outcome, however it did sound like 2 months of hell. Glad you are improving steadily. I will say that this is a classic example of why doctors who have no connection or show of concern get sued. If all doctors were more like yours, kind and compassionate, there would be far less law suits. You know hat he cares about you and that is so important.
I have two questions. Did the red marks on your neck disappear? What caused the bleeding emergency that you referred to?
December 18, 2014
No, the red marks have not disappeared. But they are slowly fading. In the meantime, I can put makeup on them. And two, the bleeding was just a bit of breakthrough during the first week. I'd had a few stitches removed, and while I slept that night, both sides behind my earlobes started to bleed. It was really scary, and I called the doc at 1:00 in the morning, but he was great. Told me to press on the area with cotton or tissues to stop the blood, and then clean the area thoroughly in the morning. Which I did, and no further issues.
June 16, 2015
Yes we tend to want instant gratification. You have it under control and look great. much younger and happier. The cranial and facial nerves are like tree branches - not every tree has a branch in the same place - that is why it is often difficult for the dentist to numb you the first time - because they have to find the general area where the nerves are supposed to be to anesthetize them. I am sure all feeling will come back. I like to think the tightness means I will have a longer lasting 'lift.' :-)
Replies (41)
You do not sound like a whiner! I had no idea how hard a facelift recovery could be until I started managing this community, but it seems really difficult and long for some. Hang in there, and please keep us posted as things settle down. You look really beautiful!