61 Year Old with Fantastic Results. India, IN

Facelift, Neck lift, Upper & lower eyelids, Nose shortened & Fat transfer.

I wish to share my story to help others fulfil their dreams of turning back the clock. I have always known I would need a facelift at some stage & at the age of 61, (62 in April) the time had come. My bosses are talking of retiring this year and my prospects of future employment looking old & haggard is my biggest fear. People do judge you on how you look, that’s just the way society is today.

I had always looked younger than my years up until after turning 40, and then the downward spiral began. Remember getting my first wrinkle around my mouth…lol.
After having my son at 41, starting menopause at 42, smoked for 40 years, a coffee addict, cataracts removed at 45 due to the years of being outdoors and not wearing sunglasses, hat or sunscreen in my earlier years, divorced at 48 has caused my demise. Now much older & wiser!! What was I thinking?

6 months ago I began searching for a suitable surgeon and came across a site that mentioned Dr Sameer Karkhanis from India. She was very happy with her results (photo’s looked awesome) and was also from Australia. I had the previous year sent photos to a few Thailand Doctors for quotes but they were not interested in redoing my upper eyes. Had those done back 7/8 years ago but were now beginning to sag again. Their quotes just included procedures & prices. It is also impossible to get before/after photos & patient reviews from these doctors. Most Australian’s go there for cheaper surgery but felt I needed a much more personal approach. (Surprisingly India ended up much cheaper).

Proceeded to research Dr Sameer and found him to be highly qualified in his field, a world class plastic surgeon, man of great integrity with many many happy clients, minimal bruising & scars and had a clinic where you could stay after surgery with 24/7 care. Sent off photos and was very pleasantly surprised at his full page detailed assessment and recommendations. He suggested including fat transfer to my cheeks, chin, lips and under eyes which I hadn’t even considered. I knew then that he was interested in giving me the best possible outcome.

Decided to have my surgery over the Xmas break. Arrived in Mumbai midnight on the Tuesday, Wednesday consultation & medical tests. Dr Sameer was very reassuring, explaining what results would be achieved & discussed my expectations.
My nose had started to droop with age so asked for the tip to be shortened, pretty much left the rest to his judgment. Told him I’d be happy with any improvements!

Next morning Xmas eve, heading into theatre I was completely calm but excited. Said a few prayers but knew I was in safe capable hands. My prayers were answered! Experienced no pain at all only face feeling tight & swollen. No ugly bruises on neck or eyes!! He didn’t need to remove any fat from under my chin as I only had loose skin on my neck.

Doctor Sameer came to check on my progress & answer any questions I might have, twice a day for the first 4 days after surgery & then most days thereafter. He was busy lecturing the following week but still made the effort to visit! He really cares for your welfare and provides 24/7 care at his clinic. I stayed for the recommended 14 days. Meals are provided through good local restaurants either Indian or Chinese cuisine. (just don’t order a pizza…lol) I lost a couple of kilos (a plus!) quit smoking & down to 4 coffees a day. Love their coffee! The staff are wonderful, kind & friendly.
After feeling a little cabin fever (day 8), I caught a cab (3 wheeled buggy) to their large modern shopping mall some 20 minutes away. Now that was an experience...lol.
First stop was a cappuccino & chocolate mud cake! Then headed to buy some lovely gold jewellery to remember my trip. Never bothered to put on any makeup as no bruises & hair covered healing scars around my ears. Felt tied when I arrived back but happy to get some exercise & proud of my excursion to the unknown by myself.

My recovery has been remarkable. I love my new nose, neck, eyes, lips and face!! Never ever thought I would look this good. Simply over the moon. No longer embarrassed about my appearance & now have my confidence back. After returning home, my left lower eye lid started to droop. After emailing & sending photos was advised to massage upwards 3 times a day to loosen scar tissue. Worked within 3 days and lower skin retracted back into place. Week later the scar tissue on the top inner corner started to pull causing a crease as seen in photos. Massage has improved it heaps but still noticeable. Wished I had started massage earlier! Hopefully when I have laser resurfacing/C02 in 3 months time to remove/soften wrinkles around my mouth & face this may help. If not I’ve still happy & wouldn’t worry about getting it fixed. I wore the face garment for the first 3 weeks & then only at night for following week. Slept on my back with my head raised for 4 weeks & now sleeping on my side supporting my head with my hand as not to put the full weight on my face.

My friends all tell me I look 10-15 years younger and so brave to travel to India for a facelift etc on my own. I would never be able to afford it in Australia (approx $30,000) so needed to look elsewhere & I knew I would be safe. The costs quoted in Aus$ include consultantion, surgery, anaesthetist, 14 days in clinic with 24/7 care, all meals, medical tests, medicines, scar reducing cream, airport pick up and drop off. In hindsight would I do it again? Yes in a heart beat! Numbness has now gone from my ears & only have about a inch on the sides of face to go.

Sorry ladies for such a long review but hope this and my photos have been helpful.
Will continue with photos of my recovery. A big thank you to all that have shared on this site.

Hi ladies, still very happy with my results. All numbing has gone apart from a little around my temples. Noticed in the past few weeks a few wrinkles have returned from around & under my eyes. Seems the fat transfer has started to disappear more so on my left side under cheek area. Was aware this could happen. Fingers crossed no more goes!
Will have my face resurfaced in early May as turning 62 on 30th April. Thinking of just the Erbium laser at this time as the Co2 laser sounds very harsh! Although I will need the more aggressive one around my mouth. There is good & bad reviews for both of these lasers, some quite frightening! May change my mind after my consultation. Would hate to undo all my doctors great work!
Cheers to all & thank you to those who have shared their journey.

Still have a small lump on the inner left eye which was pulling the skin but improving very slowly as seen in the photos.

No longer feeling tight or numb at last!! Still feel self conscious of my wrinkles but have had Erbium laser done 2 months ago. Will need to wait for new collagen to build up from 3 – 6 mths to see results. Bugger!!...lol Plan to do a home herb chemical peel in August to remove age spots & uneven skin tone. 7 day down time!!

As suggested (RS ladies) I’ll start doing home roller microneedling in September but again needs 3 months to see any results!! Bugger again…lol If no real noticeable results I’ll go for the big guns = CO2 laser in December.

Have a few areas that annoy me and want to fix – Double chin when head lowered, lipo needed, had originally thought it was just swelling. The inner/top eyelids still have too much skin & usually get puffy/sag when tired & will only get worse with age. Was told laser will help tighten this (hard area to treat) if not a brow lift will be needed.

Areas I can live with are – nosterals not even, only noticeable in photos & were never even to begin with.
I only use mineral powder on my face when going out/work but can’t live without my mascara, lippy & hairspray!!! lol. Cheers ladies until 12 month review.