44 Yrs Old; Mini Facelift/ Fat grafting - Walnut Creek, CA

I've been lurking for months, learning so much that I felt compelled to write my own story.
Why facial work?
A bad picture. It happened at X-mas time; my sisters met me at the airport; one dressed as Santa Claus and the other holding a camera. I laughed uproariously at my sister's 'Ho Ho' dance, but later when I saw the pics the scene wasn't so funny: When did those heavy jowels set in?
Great, a facelift. But with who?
I threw open the flood gate. Getting work done in the Bay is EXPENSIVE, and for awhile I envisioned going over seas or heading back to the Midwest. In the end, I found a surgeon that really spoke to my soul and made me feel comfortable, so after 4 days of contemplating I put down a deposit.
Perfect: a date! But what to choose from the menu?
All surgeons I met with recommended a brow lift, fat graft and facelift. I went with none of those. Instead I opted for the mini lift. I'm 45 years old in December, and I've had chubby cheeks all my life, so I not ready physically or mentally for some big production. The mini is a gentle introduction to an altered look.
What else...
I recently had botox to the '11s', a salicylic acid peel and juvederm to the 'frownies'. Botox I loved. The peel was good but I aggravated it by doing a lactic acid home peel (11%) too soon. It took a trip to the Russian Bath house to get my skin breathing again and to stop over producing oil. Juvederm is too soon to tell; more to come.
Alright then... I'm now off to a week of no wine :-( little sugar :( and no dairy :-( All to get my body in shape to heal quickly. Thanks for reading!

I'm in that very nervous phase of preparing for surgery. I keep alternating between feeling sad that I don't like my face as is, and feeling excited at looking better. Most of all I'm afraid that after all this expense, time off, and care taken to heal that life will go on as it has been, with no real change to self confidence or how people interact with me. So what I'm doing this weekend is making this decision work for me, spiritually and emotionally, and for me alone.

I read that you can change your behavior by changing your posture. Standing straight, shoulders back, palms visible is a different vibe than a slouching, hands in pocket stance. So perhaps lifting the face from a jowl induced frown into a plumped cheek, relaxed smile will have a similar effect. We'll see.

And this is why California isn't the best place for facial work :-) It was a 3.5, which is not damaging, but it was very close to the hospital. All of the nursing staff and doctors felt it; they said it was like atruck hitting the building. Oi. that is just my luck.

But anyhow- here is my 'mark up' pic. I asked the nurse, "When does surgery start?" and she said, "You're done." I still can't believe it, I remember being wheeled away, but I don't remember ever seeing the surgery room. I had trouble getting the drip line inserted because my veins are very tiny. I had to 'bake' under a warming blanket for awhile. I was developing a headache from dehydration, so was happy when the nurse finally found an 'opening'.

Right now I am getting ready for bed. I don't like the draining pouches hanging from my head. Ugh. They are filling with blood and ooze, and if possible I'll return tomorrow to have them pulled. I know these help considerably with swelling, so I'll leave them in as long as I can. I"m also sore in the tummy area where the fat was pulled. I told him to take as much as he liked, more even! But alas, you don't need much fat in the face for grafting.

Alright then, I'm now in the 'post op' picture category! Woohoo!!