POSTED UNDER Facelift REVIEWS
Let the Journey Begin. - Richmond, VA
ORIGINAL POST
I will be 65 years old soon. My husband says I am...
middlekidDecember 2, 2015
$12,450
I will be 65 years old soon. My husband says I am just as pretty now as I was 25 years ago. I wish I could see what he sees. I look tired, saggy and wrinkled. Sometimes I feel I am being selfish, spending this much money on me when I could be helping others In my family. I read everything I can about Plastic Surgery ( Thanks so much Realself) but I still wonder if I am doing the right thing? have decided on the Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Steven Montante with Richmond Aesthetic Surgery. My surgery will be January 15, 2016 at Henrico Doctors Hospital. I will be having a Macs lift with facial fat grafting and a blepharoplasty/lower lids. Lot's of what ifs lot's of stuff to think about but I'm going to do it. Let the journey begin. I will post pictures soon.
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Replies (54)
December 3, 2015
Hi, I totally understand how you feel.
It's so confusing to know if your doing the right thing pre surgery.
You are beautiful and your husband loves you exactly how you are.
That's very important.
Well my story is quiet different.
Approx. ten years ago my now ex. left me for a younger woman.
I'm now 61 years young.
But yes it has affected me a lot.
At 50 I looked much younger than my age with great skin.
But eleven years later yes I had loose skin like you around my neck and jawline. Actually looking, back not that bad at all.
Well feeling that a mini lift was something totally for me.
On 28th Sept. 2015 I had a mini neck lift with injections of my own fat to my face "facial rejuvenation".
My daughter had said "mom don't do it".
But all the same was very supportive of my decision.
I now at 10 weeks post op am feeling it was a huge mistake.
I generally did not fell well for the first 6 weeks post op.
I took 4 weeks off work. And was sooo uncomfortable 24 hrs a day.
Well everyone heals differently I know.
I'm very healthy and active with no health issues.
I am totally unhappy with the results for the huge amount of money I paid. And the time I have spent just feeling not so good these last months.
My neck looks great.
One side of my face is much more swollen than the other, even now.
I have pixie ears stuck to my cheeks.
My ears were not any problem pre op. And actually I always thought yes my ears are quiet nice.
My PS decided to do facial rejuvenation also on my ears.
This is something I hadn't even thought to ask pre op.
The shape of my face has changed. I used to have a slim face.
Now with fat injections it's changed totally.
Nothing worse than people at work saying "your face looks weird now!" "You used to have a slim face!"
The skin around my ears looks pinched and not smooth.
My surgeon last week said he was totally happy with the results.
He insists that I don't have pixie ears. Told me that my ears were stretched and old!! And feels he did a great job.
I told him I wasn't happy but he didn't care so much post op. and all paid to him.
I have total numbness in front of my ears and generally all around the ears.
Feels terrible and unnatural.
I would urge you to read my words as I too tended to read all the fabulous stories on realself.com.
Take a good look at yourself. And ask if it's worth the risk.
It's your face, there's no covering up afterwards. Although I try with my hair!i
Sorry to be a "Debbie Downer" but I have had a negative journey and didn't even consider exactly what could go wrong.
Now I'm living with the consequences.
Best of luck in whatever choice you make.
You have a loving husband and I'm sure he will be there for you no matter what. That counts soo much.
It's so confusing to know if your doing the right thing pre surgery.
You are beautiful and your husband loves you exactly how you are.
That's very important.
Well my story is quiet different.
Approx. ten years ago my now ex. left me for a younger woman.
I'm now 61 years young.
But yes it has affected me a lot.
At 50 I looked much younger than my age with great skin.
But eleven years later yes I had loose skin like you around my neck and jawline. Actually looking, back not that bad at all.
Well feeling that a mini lift was something totally for me.
On 28th Sept. 2015 I had a mini neck lift with injections of my own fat to my face "facial rejuvenation".
My daughter had said "mom don't do it".
But all the same was very supportive of my decision.
I now at 10 weeks post op am feeling it was a huge mistake.
I generally did not fell well for the first 6 weeks post op.
I took 4 weeks off work. And was sooo uncomfortable 24 hrs a day.
Well everyone heals differently I know.
I'm very healthy and active with no health issues.
I am totally unhappy with the results for the huge amount of money I paid. And the time I have spent just feeling not so good these last months.
My neck looks great.
One side of my face is much more swollen than the other, even now.
I have pixie ears stuck to my cheeks.
My ears were not any problem pre op. And actually I always thought yes my ears are quiet nice.
My PS decided to do facial rejuvenation also on my ears.
This is something I hadn't even thought to ask pre op.
The shape of my face has changed. I used to have a slim face.
Now with fat injections it's changed totally.
Nothing worse than people at work saying "your face looks weird now!" "You used to have a slim face!"
The skin around my ears looks pinched and not smooth.
My surgeon last week said he was totally happy with the results.
He insists that I don't have pixie ears. Told me that my ears were stretched and old!! And feels he did a great job.
I told him I wasn't happy but he didn't care so much post op. and all paid to him.
I have total numbness in front of my ears and generally all around the ears.
Feels terrible and unnatural.
I would urge you to read my words as I too tended to read all the fabulous stories on realself.com.
Take a good look at yourself. And ask if it's worth the risk.
It's your face, there's no covering up afterwards. Although I try with my hair!i
Sorry to be a "Debbie Downer" but I have had a negative journey and didn't even consider exactly what could go wrong.
Now I'm living with the consequences.
Best of luck in whatever choice you make.
You have a loving husband and I'm sure he will be there for you no matter what. That counts soo much.
December 3, 2015
I feel so bad for you. My mouth dropped open several times while reading your story. Do you think your problems are from the neck lift or the fat injections? Why did your surgeon take it upon himself to fix something that wasn't broken? I wouldn't worry about the man that left you for another woman because they always get what they deserve and it won't be pretty. Thank you for your comments. I wish you much happiness.
December 3, 2015
She above had a poor surgeon and she needed a total facelift from a excellent surgeon. This is not you. Wishing her the best of luck in her future. She is still young at 61 and could meet a nice gentlemen. They needed to add injections to
fill up the loosness and give you a fuller face, a more youthful face. So enjoy,
or go get it fixed. What do you think. Gato12. Best of Luck to you. I bet you look
great.
fill up the loosness and give you a fuller face, a more youthful face. So enjoy,
or go get it fixed. What do you think. Gato12. Best of Luck to you. I bet you look
great.
December 3, 2015
Hi thank you so much for your kind words.
I think the problem is that the lift and fat injections were done too drastically. I needed something soft and ideally natural looking. My ears and repositioning of them, well what can I say! I had no idea to even mention them preop. As I say when I expressed my unhappiness about them postop, he insisted that they now looked "younger".
My advise is to ask lots and lots of questions preop.
I thought I had covered all possible questions but I should have stressed that I liked my ears and didn't want any changes there.
This was a highly recommended and very expensive PS.
But I hadn't actually seen anyone whom had been operated by him.
Ask your PS to show you lots of pre and post surgery photos of his work.
For my ex. well that's all in the past now where it belongs.
All the best for you.
I think the problem is that the lift and fat injections were done too drastically. I needed something soft and ideally natural looking. My ears and repositioning of them, well what can I say! I had no idea to even mention them preop. As I say when I expressed my unhappiness about them postop, he insisted that they now looked "younger".
My advise is to ask lots and lots of questions preop.
I thought I had covered all possible questions but I should have stressed that I liked my ears and didn't want any changes there.
This was a highly recommended and very expensive PS.
But I hadn't actually seen anyone whom had been operated by him.
Ask your PS to show you lots of pre and post surgery photos of his work.
For my ex. well that's all in the past now where it belongs.
All the best for you.
December 3, 2015
I didn't know he wasn't a good surgeon. He was highly recommended and as I said very expensive. I didn't need a total face lift as I only had some loose skin around the neck area.
I would love to get it fixed but cannot afford it.
And yes I definitely feel young and I'm happy to just get on with my life without looking for a man.
I would love to get it fixed but cannot afford it.
And yes I definitely feel young and I'm happy to just get on with my life without looking for a man.
December 3, 2015
I still feel bad because you had to go through this. You will be in my prayers. I wish you much happiness.
December 3, 2015
Good for you. I think real happiness comes from within. Sometimes a man can be the icing on the cake and sometimes a man can be the crumbs left on the plate.
December 16, 2015
He's a top surgeon in Santiago, Chile. Where I have lived for over 15 years now. I'm originally from Australia. So I don't feel it would be relevant to anyone on realself. But his name is Patricio Corvarubias. I would definitely not recommend him.
December 31, 2015
If your ps did such a bad job you would help us best by doing a review of your surgeon. I current,y don't see one here on rs. Could u at least share his name?
December 31, 2015
Hi if you read my December 16th just a little above this you have your answer :)
January 1, 2016
I think this is all messed up. I did not have my surgery because of health problems.
December 3, 2015
I am THRILLED for you!!! Please do not let anyone spoil your excitement and joy! Most of us understand after reading so many stories here on RS that it will take more than a couple of months to totally recover from this surgery but we also see how worth it it is! You have beautiful bone structure and are going to have fabulous results!
Wish I was having mine in Jan....planning on March at the moment. Will be following you and excited to see your results.
Wish I was having mine in Jan....planning on March at the moment. Will be following you and excited to see your results.
December 3, 2015
Thank you so much. Your words of encouragement mean a lot to me. I understand that some will not be happy with their results but I will not go into this expecting the worst. This is my journey. I have a wonderful almost 5 star Surgeon who is a facial and facial reconstruction Surgeon who has done many of these surgeries. Drs. Montante and zemmel are top Drs. In their field. I have faith in my Dr. and my God. I believe my outcome has already been determined. I will keep you posted on my journey and please keep me posted on yours. I wish you all the best.
December 3, 2015
You have atop A-1 plastic surgeon one week I was alright and I'm not a health fanatic at all. I never looked at a bunch of risks and I look terrific. I don't need people telling how I
look I can see. There is numbness for a few weeks, but who cares. You will look amazing. Don't let people bring you down. Sorry they had problems, But they are not
your problems. Just their opinions, just like mine. I've experienced nothing but joy.
No one says you look good or bad, but you know you look great. Come on. You are doing a great thing for yourself. and other than bruising and numbness you will survive.
Use Artica prior to going to surgery. It's at health food stores and they help you find it.
Tell them you are having surgery. It cost 10 dollars and thickens the blood., also the doctor will give you pain meds and antibiotics, But this is only for 10 days. They also have artica cream. It thickens the blood, the pill so you don't bruise as much. As long as
your not on blood thinner. Talk to the nurse. This is a really good med. Hardly no bruising. Your going to be fine. Maybe if your reading negative stuff you will turn negative. Be positive. Bad results are like 5% at most. I never had bad results and I've been there over 5 times or more. Stay strong, don't give in to all our opinions. You are
a strong women. I could tell at the onset in the first paragraph. You are very lucky to
be able to go and do this, praise GOD for these miracle doctors. You will look amazing.
I can hardly wait for you and I don't know you. Because I've seen the before, after will
be a big improvement. You were beautiful in your youth, and you can be again. You will loo 40.
look I can see. There is numbness for a few weeks, but who cares. You will look amazing. Don't let people bring you down. Sorry they had problems, But they are not
your problems. Just their opinions, just like mine. I've experienced nothing but joy.
No one says you look good or bad, but you know you look great. Come on. You are doing a great thing for yourself. and other than bruising and numbness you will survive.
Use Artica prior to going to surgery. It's at health food stores and they help you find it.
Tell them you are having surgery. It cost 10 dollars and thickens the blood., also the doctor will give you pain meds and antibiotics, But this is only for 10 days. They also have artica cream. It thickens the blood, the pill so you don't bruise as much. As long as
your not on blood thinner. Talk to the nurse. This is a really good med. Hardly no bruising. Your going to be fine. Maybe if your reading negative stuff you will turn negative. Be positive. Bad results are like 5% at most. I never had bad results and I've been there over 5 times or more. Stay strong, don't give in to all our opinions. You are
a strong women. I could tell at the onset in the first paragraph. You are very lucky to
be able to go and do this, praise GOD for these miracle doctors. You will look amazing.
I can hardly wait for you and I don't know you. Because I've seen the before, after will
be a big improvement. You were beautiful in your youth, and you can be again. You will loo 40.
December 3, 2015
In two weeks you will be up and about. Use Clinique complete coverage and it is amazing. stuff.
December 3, 2015
Thank you for being in my corner. I know their some that have had bad results. I feel bad for them it's a lot to go through and then to be let down but I am doing this because its my turn and my story and like I said I have faith in my God and my PS. My outcome has already been determined. Thanks again.
December 3, 2015
I use Clinque products so I will order the complete coverage today. Thanks again
January 24, 2016
This is the type of reply that gives me confidence and energy to remain positive about my decision to have corrective surgery to my 66 year old neck and face! Thank you, beautyrules, for putting your voice on this blog!
December 3, 2015
Very exciting! Here's a list of pre- and post-op facelift tips for you. Please keep us updated as you progress. I bet you look gorgeous at the end of all this. :)
UPDATED FROM middlekid
1 month pre
my before pictures
middlekidDecember 3, 2015
Now I know how to down load the pics. I am so out of the loop!
Replies (7)
December 4, 2015
Well I see what your husband sees! you are pretty! and you a have that sparkle. This surgery will just give that boost to make you look fresh like Christmas morning ! Good luck !
December 4, 2015
Thank you so much, its so nice to hear from so many caring women. I haven't talked to anyone other than my husband about my surgery. My sons don't know and my daughter really doesn't want me to do it. Now that I have founf RS I feel that I have extended family.
December 30, 2015
I am so excited for you. I just turned 66 and wish I looked as great as you do right NOW!!! This has been my dream to have done, what you are going to be doing!! My husband refuses. So, I will be excited for you!! Good luck.. And know, your skin is beautiful , now.. I'm like one big wrinkle!! Lol..
December 31, 2015
I will not be having my surgery because of problems with my eyes. I am sorry your husband feels that way. I wish you all the best.
DO what needs to be done. Spend the money. You deserve it. Don't discuss it with the world. You will be amazed how terrific and happy you become when all is done. You go and do it. Please you willfeel so wonderful. I did it and I tell you no one would encourage me and I said nothing to anyone. Now I am so happy to look in the mirror
My mother-in-law said when she mentioned PS years ago, they all laughed at her in the
family and said you look fine. Who wants to look fine. She now wishes she had taken
the money and done it. She is since passed away, but I always remember her saying how she wished she did it. I never even told her my story, but she new probably my husband told her and noticed how I never seem to age. She lived far away, so she never saw the whole episode. I gave everything heart and sole to my children and husband, but this I did for myself. So go to it. You will look so terrific and it will make you feel terrific. Best of Luck.
a wild one. And when I decide that this is what is best you can't stop me anyhow.
Best of luck I saw your pictures and although your pretty you can be even more
beautiful and youthful. Unfortunately, this whole world is focused on youth. So let's join the group. Do this for yourself.
DO IT. You may regret it at first because your swelled up. But as the days pass one week you will see bruises that can be covered with Clinique full coverage. 25 dollars on internet. just put alittle on the bruises and in another week you will start to look great. some will be jealous, some will wake up and do the same thing, others who cares You do it, you deserve it. It is the only thing worth anything as compared with a new dress, a new car. That's junk compared to your wonderful features that have gotten hidden beneath wrnikles of aging. I am going to keep pushing you forward. Just keep checking on this Doctor and if you paid down money it's settled. Don't worry about it. I am going to have HALO lazer. I've never done it. But on my declophage I have brown spots and I've tried everything. And it does look OK. But I want to be able to wear a TShirt without
brown spots. I go see the Doctor Tuesday and I know he is the best, because I went to him lots over the years. Everyone says You don't need it" You need it. your real pretty but it's hiding now, bring it out. And never listen to the husband,
he's in the other room on the computer looking at girls, I bet. I love my husband,
but men like beauty. Your at the perfect time in life to perk up. Happiness is at your door, open the door. I am a nurse practitioner and I speak the truth.