POSTED UNDER Mini Facelift REVIEWS
Mid 30-40 mini Lift - Portland, OR
ORIGINAL POST
I just want to start off by saying teens, 20's I...
alinekaristApril 17, 2016
WORTH IT$11,450
I just want to start off by saying teens, 20's I never thought at 28 I'd be seeing changes with my face, aging signs this early. I've been a long distance runner my whole life, lean and less then a hundred pounds. Burned through most of my subcutaneous fat layer.
Going through pregnancy and it was rough. Complications, pain, bed bound most of it. By the time I had given birth I was 185 pounds. Yes Unbelievable! Lol. As soon as I was able to, I threw myself back into fitness and lost 90 pounds. Back down to under a hundred.
Well, despite all my effort I started noticing looser skin, lines appearing down the side of my nose. They nasolabial lines just got deeper and more obvious. I thought about it for the next several years and decided on a mini face lift.
My plastic surgeon did my first surgery, a Breast augmentation years back. I consulted w him and decided it was the right decision. He is the only doctor in town that I trusted in knowing I was in the best of hands. Knowing him for 16 years he was still the same kind, attentive, empathetic, wonderful doctor. That and I've referred everyone I know to him over the years with similar excellent results.
It's been 4 days now, and I'm very antsy to get back to normal life. I'm quite a sight right now, feeling extremely tight and numb from my mid face down through my jaw and ears. No suprises....It was what I expected doing my research and weighing my decision on it the last 4 years.
As soon as I got home, I was so happy to look at a smooth, much younger face without the harsh smile lines. I was feeling great! By evening, I did a 360. The anesthesia wore off and I was as a huge swollen pumpkin. My face felt very sore and extremely tight. Pain meds kept everything under control so I was pretty much comfortable and relaxed.
My doctor did a subtle mini lift and wanted it to be as minimal as possible given my age. He removed aittle bit of excess skin, tightened up my muscle tissue underneath and made the incisions behind my ears. I'm hoping in a week or 2 I'll be back to daily life, work and social settings. So happy I finally had the guts to do it!!!! It's been only 4 days. I'm very excited to see the final results with incisions and swelling healed so I can wear my hair up again. I highly recommend Dr.Bohley for anyone in Oregon as he is also known as the best boobie doctor Ha! :).
Going through pregnancy and it was rough. Complications, pain, bed bound most of it. By the time I had given birth I was 185 pounds. Yes Unbelievable! Lol. As soon as I was able to, I threw myself back into fitness and lost 90 pounds. Back down to under a hundred.
Well, despite all my effort I started noticing looser skin, lines appearing down the side of my nose. They nasolabial lines just got deeper and more obvious. I thought about it for the next several years and decided on a mini face lift.
My plastic surgeon did my first surgery, a Breast augmentation years back. I consulted w him and decided it was the right decision. He is the only doctor in town that I trusted in knowing I was in the best of hands. Knowing him for 16 years he was still the same kind, attentive, empathetic, wonderful doctor. That and I've referred everyone I know to him over the years with similar excellent results.
It's been 4 days now, and I'm very antsy to get back to normal life. I'm quite a sight right now, feeling extremely tight and numb from my mid face down through my jaw and ears. No suprises....It was what I expected doing my research and weighing my decision on it the last 4 years.
As soon as I got home, I was so happy to look at a smooth, much younger face without the harsh smile lines. I was feeling great! By evening, I did a 360. The anesthesia wore off and I was as a huge swollen pumpkin. My face felt very sore and extremely tight. Pain meds kept everything under control so I was pretty much comfortable and relaxed.
My doctor did a subtle mini lift and wanted it to be as minimal as possible given my age. He removed aittle bit of excess skin, tightened up my muscle tissue underneath and made the incisions behind my ears. I'm hoping in a week or 2 I'll be back to daily life, work and social settings. So happy I finally had the guts to do it!!!! It's been only 4 days. I'm very excited to see the final results with incisions and swelling healed so I can wear my hair up again. I highly recommend Dr.Bohley for anyone in Oregon as he is also known as the best boobie doctor Ha! :).
alinekarist's provider
Replies (26)
April 19, 2016
I went through the exact same thing: it's an invasive procedure and it takes at least 2 weeks to be comfortable around friends and family. You'll get there. Congratulations.
April 19, 2016
I agree 100%. Not necessarily because it's a painful procedure. It's a very uncomfortable feel, soreness that is hard to describe. I literally feel like everything has been moved and stretched to the max on my face. My ears especially feel like they have been cut off and someone else's got sewn back on. Along with loss in nerve sensation. It's been 7 days and the swelling has calmed down but I can unfortunately see a little of my lines again. I'm very glad that I did it but I guess wishful thinking that it would be gone so I would never have to feel so self conscious and aged. Well at least for a good while lol. I know it's too soon to nit pick. When I got back from surgery the first day, it was amazing to see that area all smoothed. Hopefully since most of my face is firm while the mouth area is softening up that it will not be as noticeable in time. I guess time will tell.
April 19, 2016
appx. 6 months after my procedure I had fillers into cheeks, naso labials, and smokers lines on upper lip. botox on 11s. I figure that I will need to do that annually, but the overall improvement from the surgery: naso labial and jawline, was for me very very good. I bet it will be for you as well. :)
April 21, 2016
I would agree with completing a face lift with fillers. Strategically well placed and subtle gives a more healthy, fresh, rested, attractive look. When there is loss of volume around eyes, cheeks mouth ect. I started getting fillers in my tear trough a few years ago and it helps with my dark under eye circles and makes me look well rested even if I haven't been getting much of it with busy work schedule. The maitenance is my least favorite ha! Bout every 6-7 months I get a small touch up as I didn't want anything obvious or dramatically noticeable. Real house wives come to mind Lol :). It's great to hear your experience has worked out well :)).
May 25, 2016
I'm interested in doing something similar. How is the healing now ? Take care.
May 27, 2016
I've been healing great! The first 2-3 weeks are the hardest. After 2 weeks I was very happy with my results. I had a lot of swelling and I loved how high and full my cheeks looked but sad to say a lot has gone down Lol...... The only thing is I normally wear my hair up, or pulled back and not able to because the incisions behind are still visible. I'd just feel to conscious with people staring and asking personal questions. No one has noticed that I did anything, since my features, hair, makeup has not changed. I've just gotten more compliments on, "wow your skin looks amazing", you're looking really nice today ect Lol. Which is the whole idea, you don't want to look like a different person or have obvious surgery. At least for myself anyhow, I would feel very uncomfortable looking that way.
May 27, 2016
Thank you for writing back . It looks like a really neat job and I think 'subtle' is the key .. For myself, I don't want to do it at a time when the results would be really obvious either sonic prepared to spend the money now
May 27, 2016
The expense is a big one yes. And taking that time off for recovery is a double edge. For myself it was years of planning and putting off. Scared of the pain, recovery and what if....... I think doing subtle things along the way is much better then getting to the point of your worst and needing a drastic change. Your face does have noticeable changes in the 30's on, some have premature aging with some features such as I did. I would not want to wait til my late 50s plus for a full face lift. The cost 25k+ and where you will look drastically different. Skin laxity, collagen, good healing results also decrease with age. For me, I'm very happy and got what I wanted. Looking the same but better. It's hard to explain but, the way your facial expressions give you a sad, depressed, tired look ect. I got so tired of negative comments and being accused of looking sad, mad ect. We live in a world where we are all visual creatures. Females in my opinion have more pressure with looks and aging in general. Sad but true Lol. My guy friends, they get wrinkles, sun aging ect. Nobody cares, no biggie Lol. Kind of of double standard......
May 27, 2016
I absolutely agree. I hate the idea of getting to 50 and having work done and people saying 'wow what the heck did you do' and being critical or judgemental . I prefer your appriach of where it is a nice subtle improvement .. And for me, like you I think too, I'm doing it for me .. I've always hated my jawls !! My appointment isn't until November so I'm compiling some photos of myself from the last few years and will not do any more fillers until then !! Ouch !! Well take care and thanks again for sharing ... It's so helpful and very reassuring and informative too .. :)
May 26, 2016
A lot of money for a subtle lift
May 27, 2016
Well if I could have gotten a discount I would have taken it Lol. Depends on what your personal goals is. Mine is to preserve my features and put a pause in aging. Age appropriate looks being I'm still in my early 30's and do not want to look like a different person or look like I have had surgery. My main concerns are keeping my skin refreshed, and any lines or wrinkles at this juncture.
May 27, 2016
The costs vary nation wide depending on how skilled you choose your surgeon. Is it worth it? Well..... That is Subjective.
UPDATED FROM alinekarist
6 days post
Day 6
alinekaristApril 19, 2016
Day 6. It's sunny and beautiful, I'm feeling ok. My face is no longer resembling SpongeBob and settling down. I still have 60% swelling, half my face is a strange feeling of tightness and numbness. I don't have much movement, and opening my mouth to eat resembles a bunny taking little bites. My check up is tomorrow and hopefully I will hear good news on how things are looking and when stitches come out. I do have to say that no matter how much I researched before this procedure, in my opinion....... Reading about it sounds do much easier then actually going through it yourself. It sounds so easy......Barely a week you're suppose to be back to your normal life ect..... At 6 days now, im at least comftorable to go out, with large glasses on, running light errands. My hair is back but in a loose ponytail, sides loose over my ears. It is very obvious and scary with the dark bruising and S shape incision running from the front to the back of my ears. IMO A mini sounds trivial, this is an invasive procedure, with stages of recovery. Having skin removed, pulled back, separation of tissues, tightening it back up and redraping your skin. From looking scary, to having doubts at times about the outcome, loss of feeling in your face, new sensations that you never had before. I'm overall a positive thinker and understand this is a roller coaster ride and you have to be patient. Healing takes time. My struggle is being restless and putting a pause on my fitness activities. It's driving me crazy but I understand how important it is to take it easy and not over do it hurting the recovery process. Tomorrow is my check up and hopefully I will hear good profess :).
Replies (18)
April 19, 2016
Excellent results so far! I'm 38 and scheduled for May 17th. Keep the updates coming!
April 19, 2016
Good for you! :)) Wishing you all the best! :) It is a huge, personal decision and it will feel amazing to know you will look and feel just like yourself But even better. The most important thing is being very careful and selective on which doctor you decide to go on this journey with :).
February 4, 2018
It's been a long while since I've been on. How did your procedure work out? :).
April 19, 2016
You look great! I think your before pic looks good too. I hope and pray you have a fast and easy healing.
April 21, 2016
Hi there , so glad it all went well for you ... I'm 37 yr and hoping to have my fl 1st June in England.... Loved reading you're story because there's not many ladies in their 30s which have a facelift.... Mine is also through weight lose in the face which has led to premature aging!!!
April 21, 2016
Yes, it is much rare to need this done in the 30"s! But people shouldn't focus on the age to determine when to do it. Life style, genetics, weight loss, extreme activities such as long distance running ect. contribute to premature aging. Especially after a dramatic weightless and pregnancy. The only thing I wished was I did it sooner. It sounds crazy to think "Wow, I need a face lift at 30!" Lol. But I started hating looking at my reflection in bright lighting. I was looking harsh, haggard, and always frowning. Even when I had a great day I would be asked "What's wrong?????" Errrrmm. Nothing til you reminded me Lol. I missed out on years of taking pictures w my lovies because I couldn't bear being reminded permanently. I had enough Lol. I do wish I would have done it sooner and not be embarrassed letting each year past. I hope you are able to experience the same thing. A little tweak on the exterior goes a long way for your mentally. It's bad enough that we live in a superficial world but to get older and not age so gracefully is the worst feeling for us females.......I wish you the best of luck and hope everything works out great for you! :).
April 21, 2016
Thank you! :)I'm 9 days post and still very swollen, so tight lower face to ears that I could barely move my mouth. I know it's going to take time especially if it's invasive with tightening and suturing the SMAS layer. It's a very uncomfortable feeling 24 hours a day not to mention my ears feel like it's been hacked off and someone else's got put back on. Looking at the overall big picture, it'll be well worth it. In time..... As long as you choose your daughter carefully, go with your instincts don't focus on what you look like right away that's all you can do. You'll be scared looking at the incisions and swelling but think positive :)). Wishing the best of luck to you!
April 25, 2016
April 25, 2016
You obviously did not read thru my post. I've been an active person, runner my whole life and my weight has always been consistent and healthy for my 5'2 frame. I eat very well, love healthy foods and follow a paleo nutrition diet. I had a bed bound traumatic pregnancy and was on several medications through out. Gaining 85 pounds is in no way healthy for my petite size. My doctor did my brest augmentaation 16 years ago! And would never perform any procedure on my face up until the last couple years i went into to address my premature aging. You really shouldn't pass judgment on anyone here especially since it is a plastic surgery forum. If you don't feel the need to do things that's your choice just like it is ever other persons on here. I'm a very positive person thank you. And I wish you luck in not being a negative judgmental person.
April 25, 2016
Thank you! I believe that all of every female, we have the same struggles..... And deserve support for decisions we choose to make it it makes us happier, healthier and builds on our self confidence. I wish everyone here nothing but the best of luck in accomplishing that!
Best wishes to everyone,
Aline :))
Best wishes to everyone,
Aline :))
UPDATED FROM alinekarist
13 days post
13 days post :)
alinekaristApril 25, 2016
13 days post surgery. I am feeling and looking close to normal again. It has been just a waiting period but I understand patience is important. The swelling has gone down significantly. It will be awhile before I will be able to wear my hair up since the incisions around my ears are still fresh. In 3 weeks I will be starting on a scar skin repair treatment.
I'm glad you were able to do this for yourself! Please keep updating us as you continue to heal. :)