Facelift, Necklift and Fat Rejuvenated Me! - San Francisco, CA

Yes, I really AM thrilled. When I look at the face lift and/or fat injections of other women in my age group (55-62 or so) as performed by other doctors I am even more impressed with Dr. Marten's skill. While other surgeons can definitely improve a person's looks with a facelift with or without fat injections, what's missing is the "total picture" of beauty. It's as if Dr. Marten sees a face as a blank canvas. He doesn't just address a person's trouble spots and call it a day. He makes suggestions to attain a "perfect picture" outcome. The patient is under NO pressure to accept his suggestions, but in my case, he suggested fat to the lips, nosebridge & eyelids. Yes, it takes several months for the fat to settle down, but now I have an overall more youthful and refreshed result. He also suggested doing my upper eyelids (it was my 2nd bleph, having had the first done at 49). Again, I hadn't thought I needed it, but if you look at my "before" shot, you can clearly see a dramatic change in the hooding of my upper eyelids. It's the sum total of all these suggestions and having faith in Dr. Marten that has given me an outcome I'm SO happy with! I don't think I look like myself at any younger age - so don't expect to look like the 25-yr-old you after his surgery. That's because he sees the face as a blank canvas and improves each area according to what his artistic eye detects.

hi. A lot of doctors are not doing fat transfers because they don't last. What did Dr. Martens tell you about that? Are yours lasting? Thanks

I think fat injections are a skill with a big dollop of LUCK. Both the doctor's skill and the patient's overall health and ability to keep the injected fat alive are critical. I had 100cc's of fat injected into my face: eyelids, temple, cheeks, jawline and nose bridge. Of that, about 65% remains - but the good news is that the remaining fat was exactly where I needed it most - my cheeks and along the jawline. The temple fat just dissipated, but my hair covers that area; the nose bridge fat settled down to the perfect amount - and it was really wide-looking for several months. Dr. Marten told me that typically 25-30% of the injected fat will dissipate, so I feel that is within the "ballpark" range. I'm very satisfied! I would also add that given my thin skin (I'm 58 now), I would go fat vs filler in future for the face, because I've noticed that filler causes ugly, unnatural bulges where injected on my face.

BarbyDoll, Thanks for the compliment! Nor do I feel 57! ;-) I guess that was also driving my surgery: attaining a vision of myself that reflected how I actually feel. I have to say, this is definitely *not* a quick recovery! The fat alone acts as an inflammatory when injected, which, for me, caused incredible bruising and swelling. The bruises faded in 3 weeks, but the swelling with fat can take up to 5 mos to really settle down to a more "normal" look. I don't know how you define "easy recovery" but I can tell you that I had ZERO nausea or any post-surgery complication. That is due to the superb team Dr. Marten has doing the whole procedure along with him. However, after being on Vicoden pain pills for just 2.5 days, I had a nearly hospital-ready case of constipation! I also sprouted a tiny patch of shingles on my chest within a week of surgery. So the body does take a beating! I am a very healthy, non-smoker, so I guess I chalk it all up to my age. Even so: SO GLAD I HAD IT DONE! :-)

I second how great you look! Your transformation is what I want for me. You still look like you, just very refreshed. Congrats! You also mostly answered my question about fat transfer. I am 12 days out of the whole nine yards, including fat transfer. I still don't look like me. I am swollen. So how long till you could go out without screaming "facelift?" I can't wait 5 months! Please tell me I will be presentable after 3 weeks :)

susan47045, not seeing your pix or knowing your overall health, age or how you heal, let me assure you: you WON'T look 100% normal in 3 weeks. You probably will be *presentable* enough with camouflage makeup, and may even resort to wearing false eyeglasses to detract from any odd swelling, but by no means is the road to recovery over for you. I entertained company at 2 weeks post, attended a family reunion at 3 weeks post, and looked like a sunfish with a super-wide lower face and nose bridge area for a good 4 months. That is the reality! At 57, I have no qualms telling anyone I had surgery and fat injections, plain and simple! The stress comes in trying to creep around and HIDE it, when it's plain as day: you had surgery!

Lol... yes I suppose you are right. I was going to try and pull a fast one on my adult children. Thanks for letting me know I can stop worrying that the pumpkin in the mirror is not my final metamorphis.

That pumpkin phase will definitely pass - and you will be amazed at how long it takes as well as how you'll change almost overnight about 5 mos post. I'd sure share your surgery with the adult kids. They can handle it! Heck, they may even pitch in and HELP with a few errands if you need things done during recovery. ;-)

Thanks so much! Yes, I also want to get back in to see Doc Marten ... before he RETIRES (which happened to the surgeon who did an amazing Vaser High Def lipo on my abs). Ah time .. it marches on, taking the most skilled surgeons into the Golden Years.

Yes, my last facial laser about 3 yrs ago was the Gemini Iridex laser to zap both capillaries and brown age/sun spots. I'd due for that again. You can't see all the flaws in this photo for some reason (lighting?) but I definitely think I'm due for facial lasering. Thanks for your compliment on my skin. I've been following a VEGAN diet since Dec, and wonder if that has made a difference? Otherwise, I just wash my face with DHC Skincare mild soap, use Nectifirm cream under eyes, around mouth and on neck, and Kirkland lotion for the rest of my face. Pretty low maintenance! :-)

HEY! I remember you from the other forum, too! :-) And YOU looked SUPER! Hope you are still happy with the results. I've been OFF all these message boards for a few years now with so much stuff going on in my life ... but at 62, I am definitely thinking about a final HURRAH with Dr. Marten - before he retires those magical hands of his. I'm on a fence wondering if I should go for temporary filler or be patient in case Dr. Marten would recommend fat injections. I recall from my surgery with him in 2012 that he likes a good 2-3 years sans fillers before placing fat. Altho they say filler can be dissolved, I'd prefer to just let it dissipate completely. Cheers!