64 and Ready to Rejuvenate! - San Diego, CA

I have "interviewed" four doctors. Two of them were recommendations from friends and two were chosen based on reviews on this site. It was an interesting, albeit slightly confusing process, to get input from 4 experts. There was general agreement on my lower face - face and neck lift. However, my brow area has been a concern for a long time. My brows sit too low on my head and compound the drooping of my eyelids. Also, since I've spent so many years trying to hold up my brows to open my eyes more I have deep grooves across my forehead plus the groove in the center. The recommendations ranged: fillers and botox, temporal brow lift and endoscopic brow lift. Some recommended upper and lower bleph, some only upper.I actually met "my" doctor as the third consultation. I knew pretty immediately that he was the right guy. He was friendly and open, spent a lot of time talking to me about my concerns, explaining in detail the possible approaches and then his recommendations. I never felt rushed and could ask as many questions as I wanted. Another plus is that he was recommended by a friend-of-a-friend who got a great result plus a friend of hers got an excellent result.So, long story even longer, after talking to the 4th guy I chose Dr. Scott Miller. I will be having a face and neck lift, endoscopic brow lift, upper and lower bleph. I considered a rhinoplasty too but felt I just couldn't a) handle that much and b) it increased the cost about $5K.At this point I am experiencing considerable anxiety about the whole thing. Mostly I'm worried about feeling anxious when I have trouble sleeping or can't move my head easily or whatever. I have a tendency to panic attacks and so I end up being afraid of being afraid . I have a list of questions that I will be asking the surgical nurse tomorrow. I've already been told that I will have plenty of meds (pain, anxiety, sleep) to keep me comfortable. I've had other surgeries and generally speaking the anticipation is much worse than the actuality so I keep trying to remind myself of that.I thought posting here early and writing about my experience might help me and help others. I hope so anyway. The pictures in this post were taken during my consultation and then posted to TouchMD under an account created for me. They're very unflattering pictures (YIKES!). I'm also posting the same pictures with the doctor's drawing on them which he did as he walked me through his recommendations and the process.

I told the patient coordinator at the doctor's office that I had a bunch of questions. She could answer some of them but suggested that I might like to speak with the surgical nurse since she could answer more of my questions. I thought that was great and will speaking to her this week. She also volunteered that if I still was concerned or had questions that she would schedule a brief consult with the doctor again. I don't think that's necessary but we'll see what the nurse has to say.

One thing I asked and she told me (which was a relief) is that when I come back the day after surgery for the post-op check they'll wash my hair! Then I'm not supposed to wash it again for 7 days BUT if it bothers me I can come in and a nurse will wash it for me again! I thought that was a great sign of a good surgical practice.

Here are some of the questions I'll be asking. If anyone can think of some others pipe in!

Get tranquilizers for post-op?
What pain meds are prescribed? Do they help you sleep?
Concerned about anxiety
How restrained is movement
Do I have to sleep on my back? Can I turn my head when I sleep?
What if I have to yawn or sneeze?
When do the screws come out? (They put a couple of small screws in your head to 'fix' the browlift)
Can I wear earphones?
Glasses? Any restrictions on wearing my reading glasses?
Hairline? Will the browlift change my hairline?
Expressions? I have a very mobile face and, am told, make a lot of faces when I speak. Since that's part of my personality...that won't change?
Hair washing?
Arnica?
Anything else I should have to help healing?
Eating/drinking restrictions?

I was scheduled to speak with the doctor's nurse and ask questions (as I posted earlier) but it turned out she had a small family emergency so the doctor spoke with me himself. I thought that was great that he willingly stepped in and spoke with me. He answered all my questions and spoke with me about my anxiety. He acknowledged that it's not surprising to feel anxiety before such a procedure and especially not given my history with panic.

He gave me more details about the procedure, what to expect during and after. He reassured me (he was looking at my pictures that he had taken while we spoke) about the various things that I'm having done, what to expect, what he would be shooting for, etc. Overall it was really great and I feel much better having spoken directly with him. Partly because he gave such thorough answers and partly because he took the time. I didn't feel rushed and he answered everything candidly and completely.

My anxiety, in general, has been better. The responses I've received from others who have gone through this has helps a lot! (Thank you to those kind ladies :-)) Now I just get a little freaked out about the actual surgery (i.e., SOMEONE IS TAKING A KNIFE TO YOUR FACE). But Dr. Miller was very reassuring there too and said I would have some Valium for the night before so I get a good night's sleep and that once I sign the forms that morning they'll give me a tranquilizer "just in case." That showed me he understood and would accommodate my "issues."

Gack! I'm really going to do it!