POSTED UNDER Facelift Revision REVIEWS
Looking Bad for 14 Yrs is Hard - Vero Beach, FL
ORIGINAL POST
My lift was more repair of a bad one done 14yrs...
RNMJ53June 20, 2016
WORTH IT$14,895
My lift was more repair of a bad one done 14yrs ago. Much more than lift. Eyes, fat graft, etc. For 14 yrs I never saw a pic of me I liked. My face was uneven and full of what looked like dents, dimples, and ripples. The first couple months after my original surgery, I would see people following me around the store trying to get a better look at me. For the 1st yr people would look shocked when they saw me. Most Drs don't want to fix another's mistakes, but Dr Sarbak took it on. One day post op, I knew this was different. I look better all bruised up than I did before. I can't tell you how scared I was that it could just end up worse, but I just needed to try. Only one week later, and I'm happier than I can say. I keep staring in the mirror. I even plastered my pic on facebook, bruises and all.
RNMJ53's provider
Replies (88)
June 22, 2016
it is always great to hear a happy ending and so glad that your face is good again!
June 22, 2016
14 years is such a long time to feel that way about yourself ... but it sure is a testament to your strength! I'm so glad you're doing well with your healing & are feeling good about what you see ... May it only get better & better! xx
June 26, 2016
Thank you! I wish I knew how to put pics on here, but I will ask the nurse at the Drs office if she can help me. Still bruised, but very happy. Thanks for kind thoughts!
July 12, 2016
Very nice!!! I hope I get as good of a result on my revision as you did.
September 21, 2016
Thank you, and I hope you do too. Did you have a bad one originally? sorry, but I just saw this message.
September 23, 2016
Thanks for replying. I had a facelift, then the doctor did a revision just 2 months post facelift which made it worse. I did not have neck bands before the procedure. I was left with loose skin under the neck with rippling. I just had Ultherapy and hope it helps.
September 23, 2016
I had neck bands for a while under my neck. I also have a good size scar under my chin because he told me most of the work had to be done there, that my original surgeon had just shoved the muscles back up there every which way. He straightened them all out and put them back in the proper order. Since my swelling has decreased, I don't have the bands, but I still have some discoloring. I am hoping in time that the darker color goes away. Maybe you should wait a little while and see a different doctor?? I wish you lived here in FL, because my feeling is Dr Sarbak is a genius after how he fixed me.
September 19, 2016
You look absolutely beautiful, & the feeling of liking what we see when we look in the mirror is priceless....
UPDATED FROM RNMJ53
8 days post
Reconstructive Facelift
RNMJ53June 21, 2016
14 yrs ago, I had a facelift in California. From th moment the bandages were off, I knew I was in trouble. My face was uneven, and I had severe rippling, dents, and dimples. For the first year, I'd hear people whisper things like "did you see her face?" when I walked past and some would follow me through a store to get a better look. In a couple years it softened enough so I didn't look as freakish, but I never took a photo that I actually liked, and if I would see someone looking at me, I could never feel that it was because I looked good. I was always scared to get a re-do because I knew there was always the possibility that I could make it worse. Today, my facelift (plus lateral brow lift, some other eye work, and fat grafting) is 8 days old and even with the bruising I see how much better I look. When the nurse hands me a mirror, I can't stop staring at myself. I can't tell you how good it feels to look at my face and not just have critical things to say about what I see.
Replies (21)
June 23, 2016
are you going to share pictures ? I am glad you are finally happy further so glad you found the right ps
June 26, 2016
I am certainly going to share pics as soon as I figure out how to do it! I go back to doc on Monday, maybe his nurse can help me.
October 8, 2016
People can be so mean. You were always the same lovely person inside, no matter what was happening on the outside.
October 8, 2016
Thank you, but I know how it is to see something that looks pretty bizarre...you can't stop staring.
December 10, 2016
You look stunning! Are you still pleased?
December 11, 2016
I am . It's only been since June13th so everything is pretty much the same, (except I am working towards lightening my hair.) If you go to his site, drsarbak.com and look at his facelift photos of me, there are some really scary ones. I looked very bad. (but of course the photos pronounce the bad, but really....pics don't lie.
December 11, 2016
Thank you for sharing your experience. You look great! Can you kindly share the doctor's name in CA? I have been searching for a" competent" cosmetic surgeon for years here in CA ( I live in southern CA.) I had several consults with a few of them, but none of them makes me feel confident.
December 11, 2016
I lived in Pasadena and as a nurse, I always thought Dan Kasper was good. (I might be spelling his name wrong, it's been a long time. The doc I had in Arcadia, was Jeanette Martello. I understand she is no longer practicing (and for good reason if you ask me.)
December 12, 2016
Thank you for your quick reply. I will search for DK's website. Happy Holidays!
UPDATED FROM RNMJ53
23 days post
Photos
RNMJ53July 6, 2016
Sorry, I don't know how to get the photos straight.
Replies (29)
July 11, 2016
Wow, you look great!!!
July 12, 2016
You look great!
August 11, 2017
You look beautiful. The doctor did a great job! Me too, now considering a tummy tuck next. Recovering from a facelift I had on July 17th. Take care and good luck.
July 12, 2016
You look great. I am so happy that you finally feel better about how you look. It is always a range of emotions if you have an elective surgery and something goes wrong. Very very happy that you were finally able to get a resolution. May you continue to appreciate your beauty. Best wishes to you.
July 12, 2016
Thank you so much!!! Surgery was one month ago today. I'm still a little "stiff" in the cheeks and neck. Hard to tip my chin up too high and hard to pucker up!! That's ok...I will wait it out. Thanks so much for the kind words.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Do you have any photos to share? Our community especially loves seeing photos from before, during, and after — a realistic look at what they can expect. Photos grab the attention of the community and encourage more support for you, too.
Hi there,
Don't worry, your second review won't be posted as RealSelf only allows one review per category per member. :) You can go into Update your review and there will be a field for uploading your photos. Please send me a personal message (by clicking on my name and then the Message button) if you need assistance.