61, Saggy Neck and Beginning Weird Jowls. - Tucson, AZ

I had been thinking about having this procedure done for about two years. Five years my husband died. Well, forget the grusome details but I feel like I aged 20-years in a year. One of the things I've always like about myself was my neck (hey, it's hard enough to find something on your body you like...I'll take my neck). Well, OF COURSE, the aging showed up in my neck (ah the irony).

In September 2016 I had two consultations with two well-known plastic surgeons in town, both women. I really felt like I wanted a woman surgeon. They were both very pleasant, but one tried to 'upsell' me which immediately took her off my list. The second doctor was also pleasant but didn't really seem interested, which was a disappointment because I've seen her work on friends and she does a beautiful job. So nothing felt right, I got busy with work, and didn't take the plunge.

But, over the next few months I kept hearing the name Dr. Christopher Maloney. And, I heard his name from people who KNOW good work...hairdressers and facialists! So, forgetting about wanting a woman I took a nurse friend with me to see Dr. Maloney.

The other doctors parrotted back to me what I had written on my consultationform, 'so you want a necklift'?

Dr. Maloney gently stopped me when 'naming' the procedure I thought I wanted (neck lift). He put a mirror in front of me and said, 'show me what you want to change'.

I immediately pulled my cheeks back which tightened both my neck AND my lower fact. We then discussed the options and what each surgery would entail.

But, then we moved into the subject of the surgery itself. I was SHOCKED (and kind of freaked out) when Dr. Maloney suggested NOT having anthesia and doing the surgery with valium and numbing injections (more on that later). Neither of the other doctors in my initial consultation offered me the type of deep-dive discussion that Dr. Maloney did.

So, I said to him (our consultation took place around mid-April) 'I must be 'healed' by June 15. He said, 'ok', let's look at my schedule. His scheduler came in and as she began to review his calendar she said, 'we are scheduling about two months out' ...I was SO SAD. But, after about ten minutes of calendar review I was able to land a newly cancelled surgery slot three weeks away, May 11!

PREP: I arranged for one of my best friends to come spend the first four days with me. It make ALL the difference in the world. I just told myself I wasn't going anywhere for two weeks. I stocked the house with food (lots of veggies and fruits and pre-made food). I went to the book store, I researched Netflix, et., etc.). this planning paid dividends. Plus I started drinking tons of water, quit drinking any alcohol (ok, I stopped drinking alcohol one week out...don't judge).

Plus, I thought nothing but positive thoughts. I thought about the end result, congratulated myself for doing my homework on my doctor, taking the time to make sure the decision was RIGHT for me (when I finally scheduled I had NO doubts).

The day of the surgery I was very excited, but really not nervous at all. I ended up taking three Valium prior to surgery (they suggested taking two one hour before, but right before the surgery the nurse said to me, "How are you feeling? Nervous or calm?" Before I could even answer she said, "Ok, by the look in your eyes I suggest another valium." hahah. So I did.

I need to quit writing for now. I will come back soon and walk you through my surgery (what I can remember of it). Now here are some BEFORE pictures and some incredibly gruesome 'right after surgery' pics...but I follow with 9 days out pics.

I still have a specific area of swelling that I was getting concerned about...until I compared these two pictures. Everyone is right...patience is needed! I am thrilled with my results and am confident that within the next month my swelling will be drastically reduced. Patience!

Well, this has certainly been a bit of an emotional roller coaster (not like Space Mountain roller coaster, more like local carnival roller coaster).

I would rate my satisfaction with the results four months out at 95%. I went back to the doctor for my before and after pictures (which are about the ugliest pictures of my profile possible, but it DOES show the end result beautifully).

My 5% concern is the slight unevenness under my chin. The doctor explained that I have a larger nodule on my left side that is just part of me. I asked if it was fixable but he said my results were so good that trying to fix this small issue would not be worth it.

Now, having said that, the unsolicited comments I am getting from casual acquaintances is, 'I have never ever seen a better cosmetic result'. My friends also literally tell me I'm crazy and they don't see what I see.

So, I guess the lesson here is that we are our own worst critics and cosmetic surgery isn't a cure-all for aging.

But, would I do it again? YES.