POSTED UNDER SMAS Facelift REVIEWS
60 Yr, Want my Jaw Line Back - Melbourne, AU
ORIGINAL POST
I've been considering a SMAS facelift and ...
joannayJanuary 4, 2016
WORTH IT$25,000
I've been considering a SMAS facelift and researching the procedure, and surgeons here in Melbourne Australia, for over a year. I chose Dr Mendelson after careful consideration - he specialises in facial surgery - and have had an overwhelmingly positive experience, from my initial consultations with Jennifer the Patient Advisor and with Dr Mendelson, to the surgery itself (a calming massage pre-surgery!), and the amazing followup care.
The very high level of post-operative care provided clinical and emotional support, care and encouragement; the provision of comprehensive printed "healing notes" was incredibly helpful, detailing what to expect, what to do and not do, at each step of the way in the healing process.
Not only has the surgery itself provided the result I hoped for (as much as one can tell after three weeks; there is still swelling in some parts of my face, but my jaw line looks magnificent ! ), this all-included after-care has been a real benefit : for example, a hairdresser coming to wash your hair after two days in the private hospital following the surgery; seeing the nurse in the clinic, and Dr Mendelson, every two days for the first two weeks - Dr Mendelson even opened the clinic on Boxing Day, the public holiday after Christmas Day when his staff were on leave; clinic visits twice a week after that, or more if needed, for another week or two; a facial exfoliation and skin analysis with the dermal clinician at the clinic for a skin exfoliation and analysis - this is all part of the healing process at Dr Mendelson's clinic - a kind of holistic care, with consideration for emotional and spiritual healing as much as physical healing.
High praise to the staff, all of whom are courteous, knowledgable, patient, empathic. The clinic itself is a pleasant, calming environment.
NB the cost noted above is in US $. In AUS $ it was about $34,500 all up.
The very high level of post-operative care provided clinical and emotional support, care and encouragement; the provision of comprehensive printed "healing notes" was incredibly helpful, detailing what to expect, what to do and not do, at each step of the way in the healing process.
Not only has the surgery itself provided the result I hoped for (as much as one can tell after three weeks; there is still swelling in some parts of my face, but my jaw line looks magnificent ! ), this all-included after-care has been a real benefit : for example, a hairdresser coming to wash your hair after two days in the private hospital following the surgery; seeing the nurse in the clinic, and Dr Mendelson, every two days for the first two weeks - Dr Mendelson even opened the clinic on Boxing Day, the public holiday after Christmas Day when his staff were on leave; clinic visits twice a week after that, or more if needed, for another week or two; a facial exfoliation and skin analysis with the dermal clinician at the clinic for a skin exfoliation and analysis - this is all part of the healing process at Dr Mendelson's clinic - a kind of holistic care, with consideration for emotional and spiritual healing as much as physical healing.
High praise to the staff, all of whom are courteous, knowledgable, patient, empathic. The clinic itself is a pleasant, calming environment.
NB the cost noted above is in US $. In AUS $ it was about $34,500 all up.
joannay's provider
Replies (6)
June 1, 2016
Hi there
I'm thinking about having a lower facelift to correct jowls ect. How was the postop experience as I will be travelling to Melb and spending time alone after the procedure to heal.
Do you have any pics?
I'm thinking about having a lower facelift to correct jowls ect. How was the postop experience as I will be travelling to Melb and spending time alone after the procedure to heal.
Do you have any pics?
June 1, 2016
HI Tidda,
I didn't take pics of the healing - the pics I posted (I am not sure if they actually appeared on the site!) are ones taken at the clinic, pre and post op.
My post -op experience at Dr Mendelson's clinic couldn't have been better.
I attended the clinic in Toorak every 2-3 days in the first 2 weeks, to be checked and have a session under the "Heallite" - some kind of light therapy that's meant to hasten healing. It was very relaxing sitting under this light thing for 1/2 hour each time!
Then it was every week for a month, from memory (funny how fast the memory fades!).
Then follow up at 4 months. But you can go in ANY time to be checked if you have concerns, and you can call the nurse ANY time - which was hugely reassuring. All this is included in the cost.
When I had a teary moment after about 3-4 weeks (which is normal, apparently) they were wonderfully reassuring.
they provide very comprehensive notes so you have a clear picture of what to expect and what to do - it really helped.
Regarding pain and healing - it is quite uncomfortable, I think, but Dr Mendelson stresses the importance of pain relief medication and sleep medication for the first two weeks especially. I think I continued to take milder pain relief after that , certainly at night , for a couple more weeks.
The first couple of nights are in a hospital.
I have to say the healing would be harder if you are by yourself - my husband was very supportive bringing me cups of tea (drink thru a straw).
My healing was without drama. The visible incisions , artfully within the ear, not straight down in front of it, healed incredibly quickly - after 3 weeks were hard to see. Larger incisions behind the ears took longer but now 6 months down the track are fine.
I cannot imagine a higher standard of post op care - I truly felt cared for, cared about, nurtured, by the staff at the clinic.
I am thrilled iwht my look now, and totally recommend doing this with Dr Mendelson.
Hope this helps
Best wishes
Joanna
I didn't take pics of the healing - the pics I posted (I am not sure if they actually appeared on the site!) are ones taken at the clinic, pre and post op.
My post -op experience at Dr Mendelson's clinic couldn't have been better.
I attended the clinic in Toorak every 2-3 days in the first 2 weeks, to be checked and have a session under the "Heallite" - some kind of light therapy that's meant to hasten healing. It was very relaxing sitting under this light thing for 1/2 hour each time!
Then it was every week for a month, from memory (funny how fast the memory fades!).
Then follow up at 4 months. But you can go in ANY time to be checked if you have concerns, and you can call the nurse ANY time - which was hugely reassuring. All this is included in the cost.
When I had a teary moment after about 3-4 weeks (which is normal, apparently) they were wonderfully reassuring.
they provide very comprehensive notes so you have a clear picture of what to expect and what to do - it really helped.
Regarding pain and healing - it is quite uncomfortable, I think, but Dr Mendelson stresses the importance of pain relief medication and sleep medication for the first two weeks especially. I think I continued to take milder pain relief after that , certainly at night , for a couple more weeks.
The first couple of nights are in a hospital.
I have to say the healing would be harder if you are by yourself - my husband was very supportive bringing me cups of tea (drink thru a straw).
My healing was without drama. The visible incisions , artfully within the ear, not straight down in front of it, healed incredibly quickly - after 3 weeks were hard to see. Larger incisions behind the ears took longer but now 6 months down the track are fine.
I cannot imagine a higher standard of post op care - I truly felt cared for, cared about, nurtured, by the staff at the clinic.
I am thrilled iwht my look now, and totally recommend doing this with Dr Mendelson.
Hope this helps
Best wishes
Joanna
June 5, 2016
Hi Joanna
Thanks for your reply. Regarding the cost I have a visiting surgeon that will watch in on the procedure that makes it a lot cheaper from 45k to about 32k. Just a lower face lift with some coral in the orbital rim. Did you have a visiting surgeon in your procedure because of the cost of your surgery wasn't that high?
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Frances.
Thanks for your reply. Regarding the cost I have a visiting surgeon that will watch in on the procedure that makes it a lot cheaper from 45k to about 32k. Just a lower face lift with some coral in the orbital rim. Did you have a visiting surgeon in your procedure because of the cost of your surgery wasn't that high?
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Frances.
June 6, 2016
HI Frances, no visiting surgeon though the patient advisor Jennifer (very very helpful person) did tell that this happens from time to time.
Mine was less costly because when I said I could not afford $45k I was offered a reduced price if I might agree to have my pics used in their website or promotional material.. I thought about this for a while and agreed. I am very happy I did.
As far as I know, Dr Mendelson is the only plastic surgeon in Melbourne who specialises in faces - I don't think he does breasts and other bits, he is dedicated to faces - so he is really , really good with faces.
He also did "lipogems" on me - take fat from flanks (in a small liposuction procedure specifically for this purpose) and use in face - really helps the final result!
Best wishes for your surgery - you will look fabulous, guaranteed!
Joanna
Mine was less costly because when I said I could not afford $45k I was offered a reduced price if I might agree to have my pics used in their website or promotional material.. I thought about this for a while and agreed. I am very happy I did.
As far as I know, Dr Mendelson is the only plastic surgeon in Melbourne who specialises in faces - I don't think he does breasts and other bits, he is dedicated to faces - so he is really , really good with faces.
He also did "lipogems" on me - take fat from flanks (in a small liposuction procedure specifically for this purpose) and use in face - really helps the final result!
Best wishes for your surgery - you will look fabulous, guaranteed!
Joanna
UPDATED FROM joannay
5 months post
60 yo, Got my jawline back and looking fabulous!
joannayMay 1, 2016
I am thrilled with the look, 4 mth post op - Bryan Mendelson also did Lipogems - fat injections in various spots on my face (fat taken from my hips) - and augmented the shrinking bone of the skull with artfully placed hydroxy apatite - a kind of coral that was applied, minimally, under my cheekbones and on the inner cheeks adjacent to each side of my nose.
I was very hesitant about this procedure but the results speak for themselves - my face looks beautifully filled out, without looking overdone.
I will add more photos - can only upload a couple at a time.
I have the highest praise for Bryan and regret I did not take his advice regarding his preferred addition of fat injections around the mouth - I was afraid of looking over done. This just doesn't happen with Bryan - he is truly an artist, and mindful of NOT creating an overdone look.
Friends have said only how well I look - none is aware I've had plastic surgery.
For anyone in Australia contemplating facial surgery, I recommend Bryan Mendelson unreservedly. The other advice I'd give is, don't freak out in the swelling/ healing stage. The swelling seems to take forever to go down, and it's easy to think it won't go down - this is where Bryan's "healing notes" and post -op care is so good - the reassurance that it's normal for swelling to be asymmetric, for example (i.e. one side takes longer to heal than the other).
I went back to work 5 weeks post-op and no one said anything, and after 8 weeks I looked almost normal - but by 4 months it's really fabulous. I couldn't be happier with it!
I was very hesitant about this procedure but the results speak for themselves - my face looks beautifully filled out, without looking overdone.
I will add more photos - can only upload a couple at a time.
I have the highest praise for Bryan and regret I did not take his advice regarding his preferred addition of fat injections around the mouth - I was afraid of looking over done. This just doesn't happen with Bryan - he is truly an artist, and mindful of NOT creating an overdone look.
Friends have said only how well I look - none is aware I've had plastic surgery.
For anyone in Australia contemplating facial surgery, I recommend Bryan Mendelson unreservedly. The other advice I'd give is, don't freak out in the swelling/ healing stage. The swelling seems to take forever to go down, and it's easy to think it won't go down - this is where Bryan's "healing notes" and post -op care is so good - the reassurance that it's normal for swelling to be asymmetric, for example (i.e. one side takes longer to heal than the other).
I went back to work 5 weeks post-op and no one said anything, and after 8 weeks I looked almost normal - but by 4 months it's really fabulous. I couldn't be happier with it!
Sounds like a very well-rounded experience. Thank you very much for sharing on RealSelf! Do you have any tips to share with others going through a facelift?