POSTED UNDER Facelift Reviews REVIEWS
Countdown to My Facelift and Upper/Lower Lid Lift - San Diego, CA
ORIGINAL POST
Well, I'm nearly a month out from having my...
WORTH IT$15,000
Well, I'm nearly a month out from having my facelift. I am ready! I am 55 years old and a professional woman in a male dominated engineering firm. I felt pretty good about my looks but had a bad bout with diverticulitis in 2015 which really knocked me for a loop. I spent 4 days in the hospital and lost about 13 pounds in a week. It really took nearly 3 months to totally recover. With that said, my skin around my neck and jowls seemed more prominent since that episode. I look in the mirror and don't like what I see. I don't feel old, but others have described it as their face looks like it's melting! I feel it too!
So, it's time for me to make a change! To ready me for the procedure my Dr. recommended going through a series of 3 facial peels spread a month apart. I just finished my last one and now I'm ready for my surgery! Those peels have been amazing (I've post a review about them on here). My skin is glowing and I'm ready to go.
I'm not nervous about the procedure. My Dr. performs all of his surgery at the Outpatient Pavillion at the hospital and for my husband's sake I'm going to spend the night at the hospital when the surgery is completed. My Dr. also performed a breast reduction and tummy tuck on me Jan 2016. He did an incredible job on me and I feel great. Although I was ready for this facelift last year after the great results of my surgery he wanted me to wait for a year so I could fully recover from the other surgery. I appreciate that about him.
I'm posting a couple of before photos. I hate them! I really don't think I look this bad, but the camera must not lie! I really appreciate all the postings that others have shared on here and I want to give back with my story. I'll keep you posted. So far, I'm calm, cool and collected! We'll see as the time goes on...
So, it's time for me to make a change! To ready me for the procedure my Dr. recommended going through a series of 3 facial peels spread a month apart. I just finished my last one and now I'm ready for my surgery! Those peels have been amazing (I've post a review about them on here). My skin is glowing and I'm ready to go.
I'm not nervous about the procedure. My Dr. performs all of his surgery at the Outpatient Pavillion at the hospital and for my husband's sake I'm going to spend the night at the hospital when the surgery is completed. My Dr. also performed a breast reduction and tummy tuck on me Jan 2016. He did an incredible job on me and I feel great. Although I was ready for this facelift last year after the great results of my surgery he wanted me to wait for a year so I could fully recover from the other surgery. I appreciate that about him.
I'm posting a couple of before photos. I hate them! I really don't think I look this bad, but the camera must not lie! I really appreciate all the postings that others have shared on here and I want to give back with my story. I'll keep you posted. So far, I'm calm, cool and collected! We'll see as the time goes on...
tkib's provider
Replies (10)
June 9, 2017
I wish I was close enough to have your doctor do me. You look great without that 'stretched tight' look that is so unnatural.
June 9, 2017
I don't think folks like the stretch tight look so most docs are doing more natural. for the older ones like me the deep plane was a good choice as the skin seems just draped over all the tightening... check the pics. even family does not notice unless I show before pics. good luck. babydoll
June 10, 2017
I thought in a deep plane the skin and the underlying tissue were lifted as one unit so there isn't any draping, so to speak, as there is in a SMAS lift where the skin is undermined and lifted separately.
June 10, 2017
ps I see my ps on Monday and will try to get clarification and report back, bd
January 8, 2018
He did a fabulous job! I got mine done also buti have fat on each side of my mouth & my smile is ruined !!
UPDATED FROM tkib
22 days pre
Pre-Op Appointment Completed!
SURGERY: Standard Rhytidectomy (Full Facelift removing excess skin from my face, jowl & neck as well as tightening the underlying fascia and muscle) + Quad Blepharoplasty (Removal of excess skin and fat from my upper and lower eyelids)
I went to see my Doctor yesterday for my pre-op consultation! I'm a bit early in the process but I'll be on business travel for the next 2 weeks so they wanted to get me in before my trip. I'll be back on the 12th of May with my surgery scheduled for May 19. I'm sure that the time will fly!
After meeting with the Dr. we decided to go ahead and add the lower eye lift to the surgery. He said it wasn't really necessary and said we could do it at a later time but I decided to get it done now. I was so worried that I'd have regrets and wish I had it done at the same time, so we added it on.
After discussing the surgery, the Dr. went over all the possible complications and I signed all the required forms. He gave me a booklet that is prepared specifically for me and my procedures which outlines everything we discussed in my pre-op consultation. It's nice to have that for future reference. He also provided a shopping list and a bottle of anti-bacterial soap for use the 3 days prior to my surgery.
The surgery will take about six and a half hours. The actual cutting will only be about 2 hours and the remaining time will be suturing up the face. My surgery will begin at 7:30 am and I will have to be at the hospital at 5:45 am. The surgery will be performed in an operating room at the Outpatient Pavillion at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego. After the surgery I will go directly to the recovery room and then will be moved to a private hospital room. I've decided to spend the night at the hospital where they will monitor me and give me antibiotics intravenously until I'm discharged the next day. My husband and I discussed my staying at the hospital and both decided that it made sense. I want my husband to feel comfortable with the after care since I'll be relying on him exclusively. The private room for the night with around the clock care adds another $650 to the bill but hey, what's peace of mind cost? I'll be released mid day on Saturday with my head fully bandaged and 2 drains attached. My follow-up appointment at his office will be on the following Tuesday where he will remove the big bandage and the drains. I know that this seems a bit longer than most surgeons require but I will follow his instructions to the letter! It will be terrible having to wait that long to wash my hair!
My Dr. is very conservative when it comes to the healing process and I know from past experience that I had my drains in my stomach for nearly 2 weeks after my tummy tuck! I have absolutely no complaints on that one (I thought I was going to go crazy at the time) because my scarring is minimal and I had no tugging at the incision site due to excess fluid.
We also took the dreaded pictures yesterday (I have not seen them yet but assume they look as bad as my selfies in this thread!).
The best news is that he feels I'm set up for a very good outcome. I've done the 3 deep peels and been on a medical grade cleansing and moisturizing program for the last 3 months and it has made a big improvement in the texture and softness of my skin. I have officially done all I can to prep for this surgery and now it's up to him! Bring it on Dr. Pollack! I'm getting so excited!
I went to see my Doctor yesterday for my pre-op consultation! I'm a bit early in the process but I'll be on business travel for the next 2 weeks so they wanted to get me in before my trip. I'll be back on the 12th of May with my surgery scheduled for May 19. I'm sure that the time will fly!
After meeting with the Dr. we decided to go ahead and add the lower eye lift to the surgery. He said it wasn't really necessary and said we could do it at a later time but I decided to get it done now. I was so worried that I'd have regrets and wish I had it done at the same time, so we added it on.
After discussing the surgery, the Dr. went over all the possible complications and I signed all the required forms. He gave me a booklet that is prepared specifically for me and my procedures which outlines everything we discussed in my pre-op consultation. It's nice to have that for future reference. He also provided a shopping list and a bottle of anti-bacterial soap for use the 3 days prior to my surgery.
The surgery will take about six and a half hours. The actual cutting will only be about 2 hours and the remaining time will be suturing up the face. My surgery will begin at 7:30 am and I will have to be at the hospital at 5:45 am. The surgery will be performed in an operating room at the Outpatient Pavillion at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego. After the surgery I will go directly to the recovery room and then will be moved to a private hospital room. I've decided to spend the night at the hospital where they will monitor me and give me antibiotics intravenously until I'm discharged the next day. My husband and I discussed my staying at the hospital and both decided that it made sense. I want my husband to feel comfortable with the after care since I'll be relying on him exclusively. The private room for the night with around the clock care adds another $650 to the bill but hey, what's peace of mind cost? I'll be released mid day on Saturday with my head fully bandaged and 2 drains attached. My follow-up appointment at his office will be on the following Tuesday where he will remove the big bandage and the drains. I know that this seems a bit longer than most surgeons require but I will follow his instructions to the letter! It will be terrible having to wait that long to wash my hair!
My Dr. is very conservative when it comes to the healing process and I know from past experience that I had my drains in my stomach for nearly 2 weeks after my tummy tuck! I have absolutely no complaints on that one (I thought I was going to go crazy at the time) because my scarring is minimal and I had no tugging at the incision site due to excess fluid.
We also took the dreaded pictures yesterday (I have not seen them yet but assume they look as bad as my selfies in this thread!).
The best news is that he feels I'm set up for a very good outcome. I've done the 3 deep peels and been on a medical grade cleansing and moisturizing program for the last 3 months and it has made a big improvement in the texture and softness of my skin. I have officially done all I can to prep for this surgery and now it's up to him! Bring it on Dr. Pollack! I'm getting so excited!
Replies (6)
April 27, 2017
What were the deep peels you had?
April 27, 2017
Marci put together each peel based on what we wanted to accomplish for my upcoming surgery. Each rejuvenating skin peel was about an hour and included a deep pore cleansing, extractions, light massage, and layering of acids and serums specific to my skin goals.
The first one I had really made me peel (I had never had one before). The next month she tried something different and I didn't really peel at all although my skin looked great. The 3rd and final peel addressed some of my hyperpigmentation that was left and was very strong. I peeled for about a week!
The first one I had really made me peel (I had never had one before). The next month she tried something different and I didn't really peel at all although my skin looked great. The 3rd and final peel addressed some of my hyperpigmentation that was left and was very strong. I peeled for about a week!
April 28, 2017
More info on the peels:
Marci uses PCA peels. Sometimes they are Salicylic acid, Kojic acid, Lactic acid, and may be mixed with hydroquinone, resourcinol or other great ingredients!
Marci uses PCA peels. Sometimes they are Salicylic acid, Kojic acid, Lactic acid, and may be mixed with hydroquinone, resourcinol or other great ingredients!
April 29, 2017
Your info is so helpful - thank you. I've taken notes about the soap, drains, etc. It's a great idea to be in the hospital the first night. Those hospital beds are more comfortable and you'll want to be inclined position. I imagine they can keep better control on pain too. What about icing? Some people RSers say they ice and some don't mention. But can't figure out how you ice through bandages anyway. One thing you hadn't mentioned is pineapple. I went to a few consults and they said patients who ate pineapple before and after surgery healed better. It's the bromelain and vit C. I'm really excited for you.
April 30, 2017
Amy, in my pre-op notes he recommends using ziplock bags of peas for icing. There is no mention of pineapple but he wants me to take 2 multi vitamins and 500 mg of vitamin C twice a day up to and after my surgery.
Since I'll be out of town the next 2 weeks I'm going to have to remember to wash my hands often and stay away from anyone sick! I sure don't want to jeopardize my surgery by getting sick! I wish the timing was a bit different for these work requirements but my job is what pays for this!
Anyway, thanks for checking in. I'll keep posting as I move forward.
Since I'll be out of town the next 2 weeks I'm going to have to remember to wash my hands often and stay away from anyone sick! I sure don't want to jeopardize my surgery by getting sick! I wish the timing was a bit different for these work requirements but my job is what pays for this!
Anyway, thanks for checking in. I'll keep posting as I move forward.
May 13, 2017
I am scheduled for a face and neck lift on May 31st., but have never had any surgery, so I am very nervous and scared. Wish I felt as calm as you do! Good luck and I will be following your posts!
UPDATED FROM tkib
6 days pre
One week out!
Just returned home from a 2 week business trip and my surgery is scheduled 1 week from today! I can't wait! It was tough looking in the mirror each morning on my trip and not liking what I saw. I kept reassuring myself that it will all change on May 19! That thought kept me going. I'm not sure if I'm extra tough on myself right now because I know the change is coming or what but I'm ready for a change.
This week will be busy getting everything together. There are a lot of things to do so I'll be able to just come home after surgery and heal. I know this week will go by quickly! I promise to post my journey!
This week will be busy getting everything together. There are a lot of things to do so I'll be able to just come home after surgery and heal. I know this week will go by quickly! I promise to post my journey!
Replies (2)
May 13, 2017
OMG you are SO close now! I sure know how you feel about looking in the mirror. lol Could sagging increase substantially right before a FL? Maybe if you are losing a pound or two. Let the change commence! :)
May 14, 2017
I'm not sure if we change all that much or if we're constantly seeking reassurance in the mirror that we are indeed doing the right thing!
I'll actually be on business travel for the first 2 weeks of May and return on the 12th / just a week before my surgery! It will help to keep my mind off it. I only wish I was already done with it so I wouldn't have to figure out how to hide my saggy neck from my colleagues. Oh well, it is what it is!
Keep in touch and let me know how things are going for you!