52 and Wanting to Look Less Tired

I was getting tired of my friends asking me if I was angry all the time. Yes, I had bitchy resting face. I went for a consult with Brooke from Dr. Quatela's office. She told me all of my options and then outlined the costs and told me about the recovery time. She was thorough and honest. There was never pressure to have procedures done. I was totally free to make decisions that made me feel comfortable. At Dr. Quatelas there is even a finance company that helps you pay for your procedure with an 18 month interest free period. I chose the brow lift and lower blepharoplasty. I had little less than a month before I had to go back to work so there would be plenty of time to recover in privacy. I had several consultations prior to the actual surgery date to inform me of the actual procedure so by the time the actual date came, I knew exactly what was going to happen. I arrived as scheduled and was greeted by my nurse. Everyone at Dr. Quatela's is exceptionally kind and professional. I was made to feel comfortable and relaxed. Several surgical team members came by to ask me questions and make sure no mistakes would be made. I can't say I remember much after that until I woke up post surgery. I stayed the first night in the luxurious carriage house on the property (did I mention Dr. Quatela's office is in a gorgeous mansion? Absolutely beautiful). I had my own private nurse, Patty. She made sure I was pain free and comfortable...and I was. I was quite nauseous the first night, not so much from the anesthesia but from the drainage tube running under my skin along the top of my head. Apparently there is a nerve up there that can stimulate nausea. The next morning I was wheeled over to clinic to have my drainage tube removed and dressing changed. Then I was free to go home. Of course I had to return several times for post operative checks and removal of stiches, but most of my recovery was on my own. I had plenty of meds to help with the discomfort and swelling so it really wasn't terrible, but you should be prepared that it is not a walk in the park. The most difficult part is to sleep elevated. I purchased a recliner to help with that. I'm glad I did, and aside from the esthetics of it I love my recliner! My eyes were bruised and very swollen. After a few days the bruises moved down toward the bottom of my face by my mouth. This is normal. I restrained from alcohol and salty foods to keep my swelling down. I took arnica tablets and put arnica gel around my face to help in the swelling. I kept ice water in a glass and dipped cotton pads in them to place on my eyes. I think it helped a bit, but who knows if I just needed time to recover. After a month I was told to massage the corners of my eyes and gently stretch the skin below my eyes upward. I am so pleased with the results. The work is so subtle, a lot of my co-workers did not even notice. I feel less eye fatigue and the heaviness of my brow is gone. I hope the pictures help with your decision. I enthusiastically recommend Dr. Quatela and his staff. They are true artists.

I am adjusting to the tingling and slight itching from my nerves recovering. All in all I am still very pleased with my procedure. I did have to relearn how to apply makeup as my eyes now have exposed lids.