POSTED UNDER Lower Facelift REVIEWS
Just Turned 54 and Don't Want to Grow Old Gracefully. Sudbury, ON
ORIGINAL POST
I'm hoping to have my neck back and no jowls. Also...
WORTH IT$9,600
I'm hoping to have my neck back and no jowls. Also having fat grafting to replace loss of volume. I spent too much time in the sun and between that and menopause and stressful life style I need to do what I can now before I look any worst. So I'm having a lower face and neck lift and full face fat grafting.
Luckylady1962's provider
Replies (18)
October 18, 2016
I'm also leaving my area to travel and will be staying at a Suite while in Sudbury. I will be there the day before and only 2 days after then back again in 2 weeks. You will be so pumped with your first real-life meeting. I had changed my mind a few times on the fat grafting and had more then one consult with my PS which I drove for approx. 4 hour each way. Dr. Barr and his staff are very professional and I never feel rushed or hurried out when I get there. All my questions were answered and trust me it took a while. I always write any questions I have before I go and the last time it was close to a book, lol. I am sure I will still be asking questions as he is marking me and about to put me out. He knows me pretty well for about 20 years give or take.
October 20, 2016
I'm bringing a good friend with me to help out and help me take pictures. I will try to post pictures PO as soon as possible and you can see what the FG looks like and feels like. I've managed to put on a few pounds so my PS will be able to get some fat, lol. I'm hoping to lose it again while recovering and not eating solid food for a few days. The date is so close I'm starting to feel giddy, lol, excited.
October 22, 2016
I used the entire recovery system from Vita Medica including Arnica. It was amazing. I had only a little bruising on day 10.
October 25, 2016
You have such a long, graceful neck...I bet you are going to look fantastic afterwards! I am a couple of years older than you, but look an awful lot like you, and I have been mulling a FL for years. So happy to have "met" you. I look forward to following your story. Wishing you the best of luck as you transform yourself!!
October 25, 2016
Thank you for the vote of confidence! I've been wanting this for about 3yrs now. I will keep everyone updated.
UPDATED FROM Luckylady1962
13 days pre
Does anyone know if it is ok to take Vitamin C, Arnica, Bromelain before surgery?
The days seem to be flying by and my date is getting closer. I want to first thank all the lovely ladies and men for all their stories and before and after pictures it has really helped me prepare. I just order the Auriga auriderm xo oxide cream that another lady here is using and said it made a real difference in her bruising and swelling. I too ordered it on Ebay, I was trying to find her name but can't right now will continue to look so I can give her the credit. So I was wondering if I can get any advice on taking vitamin C, arnica and bromelain before surgery. Also if any ladies have any suggestions on on to take pictures to post when alone that would be great. I will try to post some before pictures even though I'm a very private person. Nobody ever sees me without makeup.
Replies (39)
October 18, 2016
Well, I searched for this, and I'm taking vitamin C and Zinc to get my body in prime condition for healing.
Arnica can be taken up to 3-4 days before the operation, that's what my PS said. I'm not taking bromelain but plan to eat fresh pineapple during my recovery.
October 18, 2016
Your going to rock this surgery!! I also decided to keep up with the vitamin C and wait till a few days before surgery to take arnica and bromelain. I actually went and bought 4 containers of organic pineapple juice and made organic chicken soup with no salt. The fresh pineapple would be just as good if not better then the juice. I have some frozen blueberries to put in a blender with protein mix as well. I can't wait my blood pressure is usually a little low but this waiting has brought it up to atleast normal, lol.
October 18, 2016
I think you're doing all the right things and you're going to rock this surgery too!
Basically nutrition is a long-term thing; one cannot really suddenly change eating habits and expect it to have an effect. This is built-up. Thankfully I've always been a rather healthy eater with exception of copious amounts of red wine that I will have to moderate on, .... sniff. But in actuality, I only had herbal teas (iced green tea with tumeric, ginger and mint) all summer because I wanted to cleanse myself in preparation for this surgery. Hope it has some effect.
Basically nutrition is a long-term thing; one cannot really suddenly change eating habits and expect it to have an effect. This is built-up. Thankfully I've always been a rather healthy eater with exception of copious amounts of red wine that I will have to moderate on, .... sniff. But in actuality, I only had herbal teas (iced green tea with tumeric, ginger and mint) all summer because I wanted to cleanse myself in preparation for this surgery. Hope it has some effect.
October 18, 2016
Omg! I just love ginger,turmeric tea and I'm having major cravings for it now. I was told and researched ginger is not good before surgery so I quit a few days ago because I did consume more than most all summer. I started at 152lbs and dropped to 129 in about 4 months. It really curbs your appetite and I was juicing organic for a while. I'm trying to gain some weight back because my PS won't take fat anywhere but my belly and there is none there. I might find out he can't do fat grafting. I do love my red wine as well. I quit drinking July 1st and quit smoking July 24th. I thought I would gain a ton that is why I got on the ginger, turmeric. I have never met but only one or two people that likes to eat healthy and enjoys turmeric tea.
October 19, 2016
I've been on Nutrisystem since August 4th and have gone from 166# (my all time HIGH even while producing two children, one at 9 1/2#) down to 142# today. I'm only 5'4" (I'm old and have shrunk from 5' 5 1/2" in high school) and am so happy to feel and move better. I decided to diet before surgery on the recommendation of a PS (that I didn't choose). I have two weeks to go from today and hope to hold at 140# until surgery because I hear from so many RS ladies that they lose more after. I'm hoping I can keep the weight off in the future.
October 19, 2016
I lost weight too, about 5 kilos, thanks to Intermittent Fasting. To be honest, I liked the weight loss in my waist and the reduction of cellulite on my thighs, but it didn't do much good to my face and butt. I saw my behind shrink considerably, and my face looked worse than ever.
I'm not dieting for the moment. I'm not eating unhealthy, but just not paying much attention. So I hope to lose weight after the operation. I guess I'll be a bit careful from now on, I have about 3 weeks to go.
Good luck to all you lovely ladies. [RS bleep]
I'm not dieting for the moment. I'm not eating unhealthy, but just not paying much attention. So I hope to lose weight after the operation. I guess I'll be a bit careful from now on, I have about 3 weeks to go.
Good luck to all you lovely ladies. [RS bleep]
October 23, 2016
I've lost 11.34 kilos? 25 pounds and am even more horrified by my face than before! I've lost all that middle fat as well as every place else...legs, arms, butt. I've told my PS I might be back next year to get the girls OO lifted if I keep the weight off! I used to be 38DD. I have no idea what I am now. My face/neck are ridiculously wrinkled.
October 23, 2016
Congratulations on the 25 pounds, GONE! I don't know what you weighed before but it sounds like your on the right track. I've just gone from my recent 129lb to 136lb in the hopes of having fat for my face.(Fat grafting). I had a TT approx. 8yrs ago and I'm pretty slim on the belly and hoping I can still get it from there. I also had a BA 6 months after the TT and it was an easy surgery and boy do I love it. I did want to tell everyone that my PS emailed that I SHOULD NOT take any Vit C, Bromelain before surgery NOT AT ALL and he will be supplying the Arnica which I start the day of surgery. So I will find out when I can start the C and Bromelain on the day of surgery.
October 19, 2016
I just had a lower face and necklift. I took Vitamin C, Arnica, Bromeline and Vitamin K before surgery. I still bruised on my neck, but nothing that couldn't be covered. By far the best thing I've done (I'm only 8 days post surgery) is to ice every hour. My Dr. said I'm a week ahead of schedule and I think it's due to icing, which I did every two hours with a bag of frozen peas covered with a thin paper napkin. Make sure you don't put ice directly on your skin because the skin is numb and it's possible to burn it!!
October 19, 2016
Thank you! I will go and purchase some Vitamin K. Did you leave the frozen peas on for very long? You said every hour and I was thinking for 15 or 20 minutes?? and how many days have you been icing? I was also thinking of starting the Vitamin C, Arnica, Bromelain (Vit K) about 4 days before my surgery. How many days before surgery did you start? Thank you and sorry for all the questions, I really appreciate it.
October 23, 2016
My PS said no icing on fat grafting. I'm glad I asked because I purchased the full face TheraPearl mask after seeing someone else using. Icing elsewhere is OK.
October 23, 2016
Oh my! I never asked my PS. :( I know I researched this a bit and found that if you ice the fat grafting too long you can kill the new fat that was added and it won't attach to the old fat (I hope that makes sense) Icing elsewhere, hmmm, maybe lower back?? lol, I know that icing WITH OUT fat grafting ICE really helps with swelling and bruising etc. So.....that means the two of us will take longer to heal, I would think. I'm hoping I don't look like a pumpkin head for too long or worst! When I had my upper and lower bleph done approx. 28yrs ago I looked horrific for 5 days, laid in front of a mirror and was out with makeup on dancing on day 10 or 12. I wish I could cover the mirrors and lock myself in a room until atleast day 20 but I KNOW I will be constantly looking in the mirror.
October 23, 2016
I'm not sure if you seen freedomh20 review on full face fat grafting! I found it very informative and this lady, I think, has beautiful results. Watch the video first and please let me know what you think.
October 24, 2016
Hi there,
I moved the ice around to be sure I didn't burn my face (it's hard to feel it after surgery). 15 minutes every 1-2 hours worked for me. I'm day 14 today - hard to believe 2 weeks have gone by. My bruising is mostly gone - a few spots on my neck easily covered with a scarf. I am still icing a few times a day. The swelling isn't visible but I still have some around my cheekbones and ears so I'll ice until it's all gone. Plus, I've started the next phase, which is gentle massage under my chin where it's still swollen is spots and after I make sure to ice that spot, too. As for the vitamins, I began 2 weeks before surgery. I also ate so much kale that I can't stand to eat it right now;-).
I moved the ice around to be sure I didn't burn my face (it's hard to feel it after surgery). 15 minutes every 1-2 hours worked for me. I'm day 14 today - hard to believe 2 weeks have gone by. My bruising is mostly gone - a few spots on my neck easily covered with a scarf. I am still icing a few times a day. The swelling isn't visible but I still have some around my cheekbones and ears so I'll ice until it's all gone. Plus, I've started the next phase, which is gentle massage under my chin where it's still swollen is spots and after I make sure to ice that spot, too. As for the vitamins, I began 2 weeks before surgery. I also ate so much kale that I can't stand to eat it right now;-).
October 24, 2016
I recommend NOT looking in the mirror too much. It makes recovery move so much more slowly in your mind. Embrace the idea that it's a process, that the results will be worth the time, and that you're doing this for a reason.
October 24, 2016
I really wanted to take vitamin C,Bromelain and Arnica but was told NO! So I will wait until I'm told to. I also did kale/beets/carrots for a few weeks this summer. I want to know when you first woke up after surgery were you in lots of pain? Could you tell me when it started and how bad on a scale from 1 being barely non to 10 being extreme. Also when you felt you needed nothing for pain or are you still experiencing pain? I've had other surgeries and know that some were as easy as getting my nails done and one surgery I felt like I was being cut in half.(with a dull knife)
October 24, 2016
I do know its a process but I'm a little OCD. Is there such a thing as a little? I don't think so, lol
October 24, 2016
Hi there,
I had no pain upon waking. They must use lidocaine or something. The first night I had mild pain at the back of my head (where the staples were) and my neck felt bruised. I stayed at a recovery center the first night (my doctor insists on it) so I was given some pain meds by shot - ow! After that, all I took was Tylenol. The pain wasn't bad at all. I've had worse pain falling off my mountain bike! I didn't need any pain meds but Tylenol and after a week I switched to Advil. The icing helps with pain, too. I don't know anything about fat grafting and pain. I've heard there's a lot of bruising with fat grafting, though. I almost did LiveFill but then decided that since I don't do much filler I was happy to continue with filler.
Not sure why your doc said no vitamins ... mine was all for it.
I had no pain upon waking. They must use lidocaine or something. The first night I had mild pain at the back of my head (where the staples were) and my neck felt bruised. I stayed at a recovery center the first night (my doctor insists on it) so I was given some pain meds by shot - ow! After that, all I took was Tylenol. The pain wasn't bad at all. I've had worse pain falling off my mountain bike! I didn't need any pain meds but Tylenol and after a week I switched to Advil. The icing helps with pain, too. I don't know anything about fat grafting and pain. I've heard there's a lot of bruising with fat grafting, though. I almost did LiveFill but then decided that since I don't do much filler I was happy to continue with filler.
Not sure why your doc said no vitamins ... mine was all for it.
October 24, 2016
Forgot to give you a pain scale. At the very worst, maybe the first few days, I was at a 3 in terms of pain.
October 20, 2016
Hi! I used Arnica Gel on my face when I had my lower FL in August. The bruising on my face and neck went away so quickly! I have bought more for my upcoming surgery in November, and also have some of the tablets to start taking a few days before....think I'm going to have to go get some Vitamin C too!
October 20, 2016
My PS supplies Arnica pills and I bought some myself and also the Bromelain but unfortunately could not find Arnica gel, the only kind I found at the pharmacy was for sore muscles and I didn't think that was the right gel. I instead bought silicone strips but not sure when I can start using them, probably not right away.
October 20, 2016
I got my arnica on Amazon! Your surgery is a couple days before mine - I look foward to seeing how you are doing! ☺
October 21, 2016
I'm checking into the arnica on amazon,ebay etc. thanks for the tip. Also good luck on your surgery as well, we all need to try to be positive, exercise (or walk) and eat as healthy as we can. ;)
October 22, 2016
Arnica is started the night of surgery on the Vita Medica program. Google their website.
October 25, 2016
Take Bromelain before, and slather the Arnicare cream all over! Every time I get my lips done, I take Bromelain and then sit home and slather Arnicare cream on my lips for about the next three days and I'm good to go. I tried taking the Arnica pills, but did nothing. The Cream makes the bruising go away so fast!
October 26, 2016
I still have to buy the Arnica cream, I have the pills only so far. Thanks for reminding me.
October 26, 2016
Awesome! I wish I could upload a pic of the cream, but it's called Arnicare Cream.
October 26, 2016
I will check out Walmart today and hopefully talk to a pharmacist, I noticed some has A535 in them and not sure if putting that on the face is good. I would assume that would be for sore muscles.
UPDATED FROM Luckylady1962
11 days pre
The Countdown Begins
I don't think I've ever spent so much time in front of the computer as I have the last few weeks. I'm so grateful for all the ladies on here that have shared their journey while going through this major life changing experience. That is the way I feel about going through this, once in a lifetime.
Everyone has been so nice and I feel the passion and emotions as if the person is sitting across from me. I hope that doesn't sound too silly. I never reached out here when I had my TT or my BA because I was so nervous about anybody finding out what I was having done. I believe I'm all ready to go but I still like some of you have those fears of something going wrong. I will be driving my car, if they ever get it fixed, on Halloween and have surgery the following day. I am going to try now to put up some before pictures, yuck! so everyone here can see what is bothering me and then the daily pictures after. Good luck to all the men in women that have chosen to have PS it is definitely a personal choice.
Everyone has been so nice and I feel the passion and emotions as if the person is sitting across from me. I hope that doesn't sound too silly. I never reached out here when I had my TT or my BA because I was so nervous about anybody finding out what I was having done. I believe I'm all ready to go but I still like some of you have those fears of something going wrong. I will be driving my car, if they ever get it fixed, on Halloween and have surgery the following day. I am going to try now to put up some before pictures, yuck! so everyone here can see what is bothering me and then the daily pictures after. Good luck to all the men in women that have chosen to have PS it is definitely a personal choice.
Replies (1)
October 20, 2016
Hey I'm so glad you're writing this, because I'm with you. Yes, I've NEVER spent so much time in front of the computer, looking at my photos, photoshopping them, pondering over possible corrections, looking at other women's photos, marveling over some and gasping over others. Actually, I think I've gained weight just from sitting with my laptop instead of moving around and walking in the mountains like I usually do.
I agree we should do it now instead of waiting for later. I read the results are better when your skin is still supple, and from what I can tell from your photo I have the idea that our skins are quite alike.
I'm still thinking about fat grafting/redraping under the eyes or not. I definitely want a little bit into my upper lip.
I will be following you! I'm for November 4. x
No I'm not packed yet! :p I have to fly and I'm alone, but I'll stay with a girlfriend which is good. I'm nervous about the bruising and the swelling. I'm bruise very easily and I just hope I'm not going to look like car crash victim when I have to fly back (on November 11th).
Why won't your PS do fat in the lips? Is there a particular reason?
I'm also rather hollow in the face, but I'm not sure. Part of the problem is that I haven't met my PS yet; because I live 2500km away I've only had a Skype consult. The details will be decided on my first real-life meeting with him, pre-op on 1 or 2 november.