Finally, I Have a Neck!!! – San Miguel de Allende, MX

That is so nice. Thank you. It's been over a year and even though I still have a neck, the rest of my results / adjustments in mid-face area and eyes have resumed sagging. Tightening of the cheek and revision of scarring behind ears will probably be in my not too distant future. I do absolutely love Mexico but probably would not return for surgery. Thank you so much for all the compliments.

Unfortunately .... our age dictates sagging lol You did have a great result though and you should be happy with that :)

Good Bye 50 Hello 30, you are very kind. Thank you. Actually I've been inspired to try yoga because of you and Melinda, the duena de Casa Marino.

Yoga is an amazing compliment to the facelift - - not only do I look younger, I now have the waistline that I had when I was 30! If you are planning on coming to San Miguel de Allende for your transformation via the talented Dr. Koelliker ... be sure to arrive early to take in a few yoga classes at Esencia Yoga Spa (sort of like test driving Yoga for a couple of days). Combining the two will be like a complete body do-over! Love to hear more about your progress :)

Thank you. I'm using Mederma cream on pinpoint scar under chin and suture lines surrounding my ears. Also, Mederma is applied where a minimal amount of hair was removed on each side of vertical hairline to suture and tighten neck. Lastly, Mederma is applied to small vertical suture lines located above sideburns within hairline. Dr. Koelliker gave me a choice of sutures visible at hairline or within hairline. I chose the latter. All neck, chin and eye bruises have healed. Two remaining bruises, one high on each cheek were being treated with Arnica gel but I'm very allergic to Sunflowers so have switched to Donnell Skin Vit K cream. I have been wearing my hair up constantly and no one, not even my husband, can see any scarring at ears, chin, neck or sideburns. The only place I wear cover stick now is on my high cheek area to cover remaining bruising. Please keep in mind I bruise easily and always swell up like a balloon. I am also still taking Dolo-Neurobion (vitamin combo) prescribed by Dr. Koelliker to help reduce swelling. Hope this info helps and thanks for asking.

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply. I have followed posts about Dr Koelliker with great interest. He seems amazing. If only travel insurance would cover me I would be there in a heartbeat, I am from Australia and fear to travel so far from home without insurance would be foolish. My only concern for facelift surgery is the scaring, I'm really pleased for you that your is so amazing. I'm planning on surgery early next year but I will pay at least double your total package price. Thanks again and hope all the bruising is gone soon!!

Having the same concerns about emergencies, I purchased an additional insurance policy through Allianz Global Assistance for my trip to Mexico and a separate additional policy for my son traveling to Seoul, South Korea. One was purchased through American Airlines at time of payment, the second was arranged directly through Allianz website. I would imagine there are other companies offering similar services ; however, you are smart to be cautious as Australia is very far away. Good luck to you.

Hi Guajira, Love your honest posts. Particularly interested in your thoughts about how it has changed your looks but also how others haven't noticed much. I am in the process of booking with Dr k for early march for a full facelift and fat transfer to cheeks and lips. Also looking at a lip lift. I live in a very close knit village in England where I have many friends and acquaintances. I have been open to everyone about what I intend to have done and the reasons for doing so. I worry that only I will notice the difference and people will wonder what I've spent my money on. I think people think that a facelift will either make you look 100% beautiful or very, very different. I do have a worry that it might not make much of a difference. I had my breasts enlarged last year and feel I could have gone larger. The surgeon I felt was far too conservative and looking at breast augmentation forums, most posts post op are to do with not being happy with the chosen size[ going too small] Do you have any advice when it comes to to the consultation with Dr K. Would you also be able to post some recent photos of you. thanks once again for all your posts they have been a real help

Dear missmaus: There are so many psychological and physiological factors that come into play when considering a facelift. If I were to offer any advice, it would be to dig deep and take a step back. First, really think long and hard about your actual goal. Take me for example, I really wanted a facelift but was afraid of a drastic change. My face was ready for something drastic but my mind wasn't ready to make explanations to the masses. Trust me. The masses can be brutal at times. Secondly, try to take a step back and look at yourself realistically. Again, use my example. I was over 50, healthy, didn't smoke but loose skin and no elasticity added at least 10 hard years to my face. Age, genetics, health, recovery and attitude can trump the most skilled surgeon. Since that was my first rodeo, taking a conservative approach with Dr. Koelliker was the right decision for me. Now? I have a neck but wish it was a little tighter so perhaps I'll visit him again sometime. Actually, there are other specifics you might consider: 1. suture lines (at hairline or inside of hairline) 2. salt (give it up 2 weeks before & after) helps with swelling 3. recuperation time (I took 2 full weeks knowing that I swell & bruise easily and easily could have used another week… others were running around in 3 days) 4. lips (fat injections) just do it. You will lose 60% but go big or go home. 5. numbness (it's been 5 1/2 months & I still am numb in front of ears) 6. look 30? (if you really want to look 30, then have a very frank discussion with Dr. Koelliker to see if this is realistic) 7. scars (not everyone heals the same) Dr. K and I discussed my tendency to scar so he was prepared. Not sure if my scars would be obvious to anyone else but they are there & they are not symmetrical. But, I have scars from every surgery.. gall bladder, hysterectomy & derm procedures. #8. Lip lift? Paresthesia can happen with a smile so tread softly. #9 Spanish (It's not necessary. Dr. K did not find out that I spoke Spanish till they gave me the good drugs on the OR table. Apparently, I'm still quite fluent and mildly humorous when sedated. And Finally if you're still awake #10 Obvious? (I was only joking about the go big or go home.) After 3 weeks of healing, strangers & acquaintances thought I look rested, refreshed or just nice but they were only guessing. So I hope my ramblings help in some small way & I wish you the very best trip to a beautiful country. Please give Dr. K my "felicidades" when you see him.

hey

Yep, I've had a real problem with invisibility and my family only notices what's cooking on the stove. But on my 2 wk post surgery trip, TSA had their hands all over me. They actually checked my belly button for weapons. My advice. If you want anyone to really notice the new you, wear a scarf and make a plane connection through DFW airport.

Thanks. You are very sweet. My saggy neck really screamed for drastic measures.

Honestly, I'm not the best person to ask. I'm a slow healer and still have some swelling and bruising after 6 1/2 weeks. Dr. Koelliker said SMAS lift and fat replacement could last for 7-10 years, depending on your procedure, health, DNA , etc. For me, my jaw line and neck still look good as swelling resolves. My lips were more "poofy" right after surgery. Regretfully, they are a little less plump now. Blame that on me though. I told Dr. Koelliker, "no poofy fake lips please." You should talk to your doctor w/ follow-up visit for a much more informed response. Wish I could be more help.

Hey lvb2013, Thank you for saying all those nice things. I'm originally from Dallas and considered having surgery there, then recovery w/ friend or family. Mexico turned out to be the best choice for me w/ 2 weeks in spa ... mainly due to my conflicted conscience concerning "do I tell them or no?" I'm really happy everything turned out so well for you w/ surgery in Big D. Thanks again for all the lovely compliments.

Who is your doctor in Dallas since am considering my options

kittyworld, Thanks so much. I really do feel better without so much neck and am hoping my turtleneck sweaters will fit this winter. Now you know I'm no expert and was probably one of the worst "bruisers/healers?" in the history of plastic surgery. Having awful bruising on cheeks and neck and even ears, I purchased and began to lightly massage Donnell Skin Vitamin K cream over redness and bruises (it contains higher vitamin K content than typical over the counter creams.) First, I would apply Mederma SPF30, allow to soak into skin, then apply Vitamin K cream to deep bruising at cheeks, on scars and redness along tragus line at ear. Everyone recovers at different rate but I, too, had red ropey suture lines at neck. At 7 weeks, they have flattened out. I can still feel a slightly raised area; however, apparently my hair was shaved and is now growing past scar line at neck. I do not have scars on cheeks but do still have a few specks of redness remaining. One ear is still a little red at tragus line. The last bit of scabbing behind ears resolved last week. I have one perfectly healed thin red vertical line above my left sideburn area. Left upper area was shaved a little more directly above ear but once hair grows in surrounding area, I think it will be fine. I have been wearing my hair loosely up w/ fat clip since week 2 and don't think any work is noticeable. It was about week 4 when the vertical scars at my neck began driving me crazy. That's when I really began to note healing improvements. Redness and swelling began to dissipate and nerves began to reattach. Give yourself time to heal and you might want to try a strong Vitamin K cream (for capillaries) along with Mederma w/ SPF. I really do appreciate your support and will try to post pics at 8 weeks of scars and my new neck.