POSTED UNDER Facelift Reviews
52 Year Old Who Just Cannot Look in a Mirror. Scottsdale, AZ
UPDATED FROM Karlagirl62
1 year post
Mastopexy with sub muscular implants 12/9/201
Karlagirl62December 10, 2016
$20,000
Surgery was at 07:30 this morning. It's been about 12 hours, I'm uncomfortable - on a scale of 1-10 for pain, 1 is hardly any pain and 10 is Th worst pain ever, I am at about a 1 as long as I don't move, when I have to move it goes up to a 9. My daughter is with me and taking very good care of me. I'm staying on top of pain meds and muscle relaxers every 4 hours but my goal is to start tapering down Sunday. More later ladies.
Karlagirl62's provider
UPDATED FROM Karlagirl62
1 month post
4 weeks and 2 days post op
Karlagirl62September 30, 2015
It's been 4 full weeks plus 2 days since I had my procedure. I know things are coming along, a little slow but it's all moving in the right direction. I realize now that I went into surgery depressed but in denial about my depression. But that's how I live, in denial. It's a terrible coping mechanism but it had been working until July of last year. Some major life events occurred and instead of really dealing with them I just sort of dealt with them on the surface and then just put in more hours at work and at the gym. Going into this surgery already depressed ( but in big time denial ) and having kept this huge undertaking all to myself until just 1 week before surgery was bound to contribute to my recovery, and not in a good way. My mental state has definitely improved in the last 2 weeks as I started doing light cardio. Ok, that being stated here is where I am right at this moment :
1. I physically feel that I'm getting my stamina / energy back.
2. The swelling ( which really scared me ) continues to slowly decrease, I'm referring to the swelling in my cheeks, jaws and upper lip.
3. The left side of my face and especially under my chin -left side- is definitely decreasing but because the right side is tarting to look so much more like the "me" that I was expecting it's still obvious that my face is asymmetric. I'm wearing the face bra at least 6-8 hours, more if I can stand it, every day. I wish the doc would have sent me home with one but I didn't have it introduced to me until day 6 post-op visit when I had some sutures removed around ears. I'm thinking that this might have made a big difference in the swelling, at least under the chin.
4. I can tell that the weird sensations of post face-lift surgery are getting better or closer to normal ( what it was pre-surgery ). The feeling of tightness to my neck is feeling just a little less tight. The areas of numbness are decreasing but as the numbness decreases it is replaced with tingling very similar to what it feels like as novocaine wears off after a visit to the dentist. This then is replaced with a bruised like feeling. This bruised feeling eventually is going away leaving normal feeling. Numbness / tingling under chin and on top of my head. Cheeks, chin, jaw, have the bruised feeling. Sounds bad but it's really so much better.
5. My smile is still weird, but as long as I don't try to show teeth it looks normal, and it is getting better. At recent Post-op visit doc said that it could take up to 6 months maybe a little longer to fully come back.
6. I can frown and make the number 11 between the eyebrows but I can't raise the right eyebrow ( same side the smile is crooked ) but the movement is defiantly improving and doc said same thing about time and healing of this as he did about smile.
7. My sutures are pretty much healed at the ears and under chin, but I'm still having itching and irritation to the suture line at the base of my neck / hair line. For some reason Bacitracin, Polysporin, and Neosporin make this suture line very red raw and very irritated. This area is healing and it is closed, it's just the itchy irritated feeling that won't go away that is causing me just a little concern- am I having an immune response to the internal sutures ? Is it them dissolving and being re-absorbed that is causing this ? Is it the hair that was shaved growing back causing this ? All 3 ?? I just hoping it stops very soon because it's very hard to keep my hands away from this itch.
8. I had no idea that earrings shouldn't be worn for maybe 2-6 weeks after surgery. My earlobes were swollen and I put a pair of earrings on about 2 weeks ago. At first it was hard getting the right one in, it felt like the hole had closed up and then when I finally got it in it was irritated and sore during the 3 hours I had them in. Today I can put a pair of earrings in and there is no problem but I'm leaving them out for another few days.
9. At my last visit the doctor said I could dye my hair, this was a little over 3 weeks post-op. BIG FAT MISTAKE, dye got into my suture lines at the ears and OMG !!!! I will be calling PS tomorrow for advice on HTF I'm going to fix this. See what lack of patience and not enough information can do to you ??
All in all things are getting better ( except for the home tattoo job, what an IDIOT)
I want to send out my most heart-felt thanks to every wonderful person who has reached out and sent support thru the wonderful comments and the sharing of personal journeys. This site and the sharing from others has truly been my saving grace.
Thank you
** anyone have an idea how I'm to fix the tattoo job I did ?? **
1. I physically feel that I'm getting my stamina / energy back.
2. The swelling ( which really scared me ) continues to slowly decrease, I'm referring to the swelling in my cheeks, jaws and upper lip.
3. The left side of my face and especially under my chin -left side- is definitely decreasing but because the right side is tarting to look so much more like the "me" that I was expecting it's still obvious that my face is asymmetric. I'm wearing the face bra at least 6-8 hours, more if I can stand it, every day. I wish the doc would have sent me home with one but I didn't have it introduced to me until day 6 post-op visit when I had some sutures removed around ears. I'm thinking that this might have made a big difference in the swelling, at least under the chin.
4. I can tell that the weird sensations of post face-lift surgery are getting better or closer to normal ( what it was pre-surgery ). The feeling of tightness to my neck is feeling just a little less tight. The areas of numbness are decreasing but as the numbness decreases it is replaced with tingling very similar to what it feels like as novocaine wears off after a visit to the dentist. This then is replaced with a bruised like feeling. This bruised feeling eventually is going away leaving normal feeling. Numbness / tingling under chin and on top of my head. Cheeks, chin, jaw, have the bruised feeling. Sounds bad but it's really so much better.
5. My smile is still weird, but as long as I don't try to show teeth it looks normal, and it is getting better. At recent Post-op visit doc said that it could take up to 6 months maybe a little longer to fully come back.
6. I can frown and make the number 11 between the eyebrows but I can't raise the right eyebrow ( same side the smile is crooked ) but the movement is defiantly improving and doc said same thing about time and healing of this as he did about smile.
7. My sutures are pretty much healed at the ears and under chin, but I'm still having itching and irritation to the suture line at the base of my neck / hair line. For some reason Bacitracin, Polysporin, and Neosporin make this suture line very red raw and very irritated. This area is healing and it is closed, it's just the itchy irritated feeling that won't go away that is causing me just a little concern- am I having an immune response to the internal sutures ? Is it them dissolving and being re-absorbed that is causing this ? Is it the hair that was shaved growing back causing this ? All 3 ?? I just hoping it stops very soon because it's very hard to keep my hands away from this itch.
8. I had no idea that earrings shouldn't be worn for maybe 2-6 weeks after surgery. My earlobes were swollen and I put a pair of earrings on about 2 weeks ago. At first it was hard getting the right one in, it felt like the hole had closed up and then when I finally got it in it was irritated and sore during the 3 hours I had them in. Today I can put a pair of earrings in and there is no problem but I'm leaving them out for another few days.
9. At my last visit the doctor said I could dye my hair, this was a little over 3 weeks post-op. BIG FAT MISTAKE, dye got into my suture lines at the ears and OMG !!!! I will be calling PS tomorrow for advice on HTF I'm going to fix this. See what lack of patience and not enough information can do to you ??
All in all things are getting better ( except for the home tattoo job, what an IDIOT)
I want to send out my most heart-felt thanks to every wonderful person who has reached out and sent support thru the wonderful comments and the sharing of personal journeys. This site and the sharing from others has truly been my saving grace.
Thank you
** anyone have an idea how I'm to fix the tattoo job I did ?? **
Replies (5)
September 30, 2015
OMG! Your suture line in front of your ears is dyed? It won't wash out?
Please post what your PS says since I need to get my hair done.
Please post what your PS says since I need to get my hair done.
October 1, 2015
Aww, sucks about your dye job. You could try some toothpaste on a cotton ball or qtip, even adding a little baking soda as an abrasive. Afterward slather with some Vaseline over night and hopefully it will wipe off. I HATE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS! Thank god I'm blonde, as my daughter always says "blonde hair, don't care" lol!
I'm sorry you are going through so much and adding surgery on top of it. Reminds me of myself. Obviously you are stronger than you realize, because you are coming to terms with the past while still moving forward! That's a good thing, Karla. :)
I know how you feel about lack of info. I think they is why I combed a big gash in my head. I guess they take it for granted we know what we're doing? NOT!
The neosporin does the same thing to me, makes it raw and itchy. I'm just going commando now. Maybe some aquaphor.
Good luck getting the dye out, one day it will be a funny story ;)
I'm sorry you are going through so much and adding surgery on top of it. Reminds me of myself. Obviously you are stronger than you realize, because you are coming to terms with the past while still moving forward! That's a good thing, Karla. :)
I know how you feel about lack of info. I think they is why I combed a big gash in my head. I guess they take it for granted we know what we're doing? NOT!
The neosporin does the same thing to me, makes it raw and itchy. I'm just going commando now. Maybe some aquaphor.
Good luck getting the dye out, one day it will be a funny story ;)
October 1, 2015
Girl...I have got to catch up on what you have done recently. As far as any tattoo it can be zapped off in one treatment. I know because I had my eyebrows tattooed. The spa told me it might take two treatments but it took only one.
Dye, call Sally's beauty supply and they can help you out. A girlfriend of mine that knows every beauty treatment in the world....is a brunette. She washes her face every night with a cotton ball and witch hazel. The witch hazel has bleached her skin at her hairline and lightens her hair to a blonde tint. It blends well. This gf used to be a flight attendant with Martha Stewart in the olden days and has a ton of tricks passed on from her.
Anytime I have a problem I go to utube. Just put in your question and likely many videos will pop up of others with the same experience. After my divorce I could not afford maintenance on my Mercedes. I u-tubed it and did most of the work myself. It was soooo easy and I am afraid to break a nail hanging a picture. Just sayin' a big problem can be really small.
Then there is DERMABLEND make-up! Marvelous, fabulous, the best!!! It can hide scars. Invented by Dermatologist to hide scars for people in accidents. I used to wear it as my main make-up for many years until I changed to Mac. You will love it. Do a search it is sold at most department stores. It goes a long way.
Following your journey.
Dye, call Sally's beauty supply and they can help you out. A girlfriend of mine that knows every beauty treatment in the world....is a brunette. She washes her face every night with a cotton ball and witch hazel. The witch hazel has bleached her skin at her hairline and lightens her hair to a blonde tint. It blends well. This gf used to be a flight attendant with Martha Stewart in the olden days and has a ton of tricks passed on from her.
Anytime I have a problem I go to utube. Just put in your question and likely many videos will pop up of others with the same experience. After my divorce I could not afford maintenance on my Mercedes. I u-tubed it and did most of the work myself. It was soooo easy and I am afraid to break a nail hanging a picture. Just sayin' a big problem can be really small.
Then there is DERMABLEND make-up! Marvelous, fabulous, the best!!! It can hide scars. Invented by Dermatologist to hide scars for people in accidents. I used to wear it as my main make-up for many years until I changed to Mac. You will love it. Do a search it is sold at most department stores. It goes a long way.
Following your journey.
October 1, 2015
Ugh, that you went into this with depression explains the extra tough time you've been having. Having your body and emotions hammered is tough enough without that on top.
Yeep! So sorry about the dye. I really hope it's just temporary.
I'm too scared to go and have my hair dyed. I can't do it myself because I'm incompetent so I'd have to trust my hairdresser to do it, but the brow lift incisions up above my hairline (still) feel spiky and scabby and I'm a bit terrified of them. My PS said it was okay at 4 weeks, so theoretically I probably could, but nope.
Despite that (you're not an idiot btw, how would you know?!), I'm glad things are going better for you and your healing is progressing okay.
Yeep! So sorry about the dye. I really hope it's just temporary.
I'm too scared to go and have my hair dyed. I can't do it myself because I'm incompetent so I'd have to trust my hairdresser to do it, but the brow lift incisions up above my hairline (still) feel spiky and scabby and I'm a bit terrified of them. My PS said it was okay at 4 weeks, so theoretically I probably could, but nope.
Despite that (you're not an idiot btw, how would you know?!), I'm glad things are going better for you and your healing is progressing okay.
October 1, 2015
You look fabulous ,try soaking the dye with moisturiser then wipe off and reapply and repeat , don't make it sore though
October 1, 2015
You look FANTASTIC despite everything you've gone through. You must have good genes your bruising is so minimal. I would like to have lower eyelid blepharoplasty. I have bags under my eyes, very bad. I could not see your eyes in your before pics. Did the doc cut and suture the skin just below the lower lashes? It is also hard to tell in your after pics.
UPDATED FROM Karlagirl62
29 days post
Me in 2011
Karlagirl62September 26, 2015
It was during the last 2 years that my face started to age at the speed of light. This is a pic that is "ME" I look like I'm in my mid-40's and that's fine, I was fine with it.
During the last 2 years I just avoided having any photos take when I could help it.
During the last 2 years I just avoided having any photos take when I could help it.
Replies (5)
September 26, 2015
I love hearing your story, you have been the most real & honest person I've seen on here! Thanks
September 26, 2015
I know exactly how you feel. One minute I was happy with the way I was aging and then all of a sudden the graceful aging process accelerated way to quickly for me!
September 27, 2015
I agree with both you and Makeitup on the cruel *suddenness* of the aging process.
I've blamed the sudden change on going to the gym really hard in the last few years. I was always slim despite never exercising, but my body composition changed with all that work and my face lost fat, so I blamed that. BUT I also had a hysterectomy about 6 years ago (still have my ovaries) and it's only just occurred to me that part of the 'sudden' aging could be hormonal :/.
Not that the 'why' matters so much I suppose, but the *suddenness* of it is just so shocking (and seems to be really common). It's NOT our imagination!
I've blamed the sudden change on going to the gym really hard in the last few years. I was always slim despite never exercising, but my body composition changed with all that work and my face lost fat, so I blamed that. BUT I also had a hysterectomy about 6 years ago (still have my ovaries) and it's only just occurred to me that part of the 'sudden' aging could be hormonal :/.
Not that the 'why' matters so much I suppose, but the *suddenness* of it is just so shocking (and seems to be really common). It's NOT our imagination!
September 27, 2015
Aus, every consult stated immediately that FAT LOSS/VOLUME LOSS was one of the main reasons my face "dropped", and I'm certain that the hormone changes contributed. You continue to look INCREDIBLY AMAZING !
Karla
Karla
September 27, 2015
I thought i was the only one who thought this, but now isee It's not our imagination. ..I've noticed the same thing. Up until fifty I was fine, very happy with the way I looked at that age considering that many younger women weren't fairing as well. But then, it seemed overnight, things changed and I too no longer recognized myself. I just want me back, so I've decided to have the procedures too. Right now I like 3 doctors and will be contacting them soon as I want to do it this winter.
Thank you for posting and sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Thank you for posting and sharing your thoughts and experiences.
September 27, 2015
Yes! And without that fat holding it up, the skin sags and, well, goodbye face :/.
Thanks so much for the compliment :). I suspect you're going to see the same in yourself soon enough...
Thanks so much for the compliment :). I suspect you're going to see the same in yourself soon enough...
September 27, 2015
morgan61: I know, right?! I thought it was just me also. But it seems to be really common.
In 2011, I still looked pretty good. A few wrinkles (of course!), but still saw an attractive, strong, fierce looking woman.
Then... hello cranky old lady... WTF?!!! :/.
In 2011, I still looked pretty good. A few wrinkles (of course!), but still saw an attractive, strong, fierce looking woman.
Then... hello cranky old lady... WTF?!!! :/.
September 28, 2015
Good for you! Nicely stated. I think that is why most women choose to do this. Just to be able to be seen and heard again.
September 28, 2015
I still remember two years ago looking at my pictures that I still looked in my early to mid 40s at age 52. All of a sudden my face just dropped. My neck started to look like an accordion. Before the FL I searched for anything out there to tighten my skin. I even tried Thermage. I can tell you nothing out there works. FL is the only alternative now at the moment that will make you look 10 to 15 years younger than your age. My recommendation is to find the best board-certified surgeon out there that specialize in faces.
September 27, 2015
Isn't weird how we age in spurts ? I felt like I was aging very suddenly and rapidly which is why I went for my FL this year ... This a beautiful pic and you will look like you again as your face heals :)
September 28, 2015
You look beautiful then, and you look beautiful now! Was there something traumatic that happened in the last two years. I know when we go through life changing events it can literally take the life out of us. Beauty comes from with in, when we feel bad about ourselves on the outside, that is what we project. Just wondering, because you look so sad in your before picture compared to your picture from2 years ago? But, kudos to you for doing something to make you feel good, because you look gorgeous! Go out there and take on the world!!!
Replies (2)