The Perfect Facelift Experience.

As I approach the five year mark in a few months I felt compelled to show some more before and immediately after photos of my cosmetic surgery. I am reminded of how BIG and personal the decision to move forward with my decision to have a facelift was to me. I am reminded of the physical trauma the body experiences undergoing such a huge change. I’m also reminded of how quickly the body heals. On an emotional level, seeing these photos again also reminded me of all the input I received from intimate friends and associates, the positive and the negative feedback was intense. I’m proud of myself for going through with the facelift entirely alone. It was one of the bravest things I have done in my lifetime.

I purposely did not share the immediate post-surgery photos on Real Self five years ago, not wanting to frighten folks. And, in looking back now, I can see with fresh perspective how intense this personal decision really was to me. I’m reminded that even though it was a positive decision, the body and psyche had to undergo some trauma.
I am a quiet and introverted person by nature who does not like being in the spotlight. I don’t wear makeup except on very rare occasions. Sharing my cosmetic journey here on Real Self was outside my introverted comfort zone, but I am so glad I did! If these photos and updates help even one person, then I feel like it was all worthwhile!
Keep it Real and be your best authentic self!
Xxoo

Yesterday I was reminded of how judgmental and bullish people can be. An acquaintance on Fakebook felt compelled to post “What have you done to your face!” on my timeline and believe me it was NOT complimentary. When I wrote here a private message inviting her to read about my journey and experience and choices she refused simply because of the website being called “RealSelf”. Refused to listen to anything I had to say and actually sent me a voicemail full of her anger. In fact, she insisted that she had a right to be “angry” and that I should expect abuse if I’m going to post photos of myself.
I again invited her here, to read about what other real people have experienced. She decided we weren’t “real”. I assure you, my feelings are real. I’m as real as the day as I was born.
I’m still going through a rough patch in life. Facelifts won’t fix that, but I also continue to work on myself one every level: meditation, yoga, face yoga, diet and staying away from negative energy.
Yesterday was the first time someone felt entitled to bully me for my choice. Ironically, the bullying came from someone who sells her brand of “spirituality” and “breath work” and “massage” training. I lived in a hippie community of sorts for 15 year and somehow I betrayed her idea of what I SHOULD be in her mind, a hippie who meets her standards of “spiritual enlightenment” - hahaha. Sadly, this person decided I was no longer a “real” person and therefore deserved her abuse.
No amount of asking her to kindly mind her own face worked. I had to block her.
I don’t give a rat’s ass what people think, especially if there is zero discussion or interest in me, a REAL person.
I get a lot of private messages from people who have struggled with a spouse or family member getting on board with their personal choices. I fly completely and comfortably solo.
No interest in a life partner whatsoever. Yesterday I had a whole new level of compassion for all the people who have made the choice to have cosmetic surgery and had to endure the bullish judgements of others. It took three times of asking this person to kindly back off before I used profanity and blocked her.

I’m still thrilled. I didn’t crawl under a rock when my hippy sister (haha) bashed my choices. I laughed at her, then I got pissed, and then I simply felt sorry for her. It must be so hard to be “enlightened” - haha.

Anyone reading this:
Your choice to do with your body as you please should alune your choice and please don’t let the disguised haters or overt haters get in your way!

This month will mark four years since my facelift procedure which included: forehead rejuvenation, brow lifting, lower eyelid circles repair and lifting, cheek lifting, jowl lifting to give a chin V line, neck lifting and stem cell riched fat grafting. The procedure included endoscopic and deep plane SMAS lifting to address all aspects of the above mentioned. The price includes two nights in hospital and total 10 days in Istanbul (I was sensitive to the anesthesia and stayed 3 nights in hospital) and a private, English speaking nurse was provided the first couple of days.

Four years later, I am as thrilled as I was the first year after the procedure! I was not trying to achieve a “younger” look so much as I was trying to look less stoic and stern and gravity had taken it’s toll. I’m Native American and Hispanic and spent years at high altitudes in the sun and I am a former endurance athlete.

I am very lean and still quite active (just walked over 240 kilometers on another pilgrimage). I mention this, because some may not be aware that often with a fat transfer, it needs to be redone. Recently I contacted the hood Dr. Ercan about having a another fat transfer and he was very honest saying I would need to put on more weight and perhaps even a bit of fat. I’m extremely petite and more weight is not conducive to my arthritic knees.

So, four months ago I had fillers - a bit in the cheeks and a bit around the mouth along with a bit of Botox six months prior. A facelift is not going to eliminate smile lines, wrinkles or, in my case, deep crevices (earned genetically and from sun exposure).
I’m still thrilled because I spend a fraction of the time in the mirror as I did four years back. I have a deeper sense of confidence and happiness. That said, I feel strongly about mentioning mental health. There is not a single surgical procedure out there that will change what is within. It is of absolute importance to be prepared mentally as it is physically for this sort of major undertaking. It’s important to have people in your life who are supportive, or at the very least accepting of your decision. I am a world traveler of two consecutive decades. I went alone to Turkey, but felt completely supported by Dr. Ercan and his staff.

I smile a lot more. In previous updates I didn’t smile as much in photos to show the full effects. Of course the articulation changes with a smile.
I hope that these new and most recent photos are helpful. I encourage anyone taking this same journey to read my complete review and the comments. I remain on RealSelf not for attention, but for those that my story can help. This was one of the biggest decisions I made in my adult life. I haven’t a single regret. Dr, Ercan is an extremely competent, talented and compassionate person. He is honest and it is of upmost importance that you are also honest with him, including telling him of any natural remedies you might be taking. It’s a major surgery. Every detail is important. And, again, a facelift isn’t going to make you happy and content. One needs to be at that authentic happy head space before surgery.

I sincerely wish that whoever reads this review finds it useful. All phots are within the last month, very close to my 4th year post surgery.
My best wishes to all wishing to take this same journey!
Xxoo