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Talksurgery adheres to the Health On the Net Foundation's Code of Conduct
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Three and a half weeks later I just don't know if I could be happier.
Pros:
Amazed at the shape of my face after just five days. I am stunned!
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Cons:
Hiding out in my house for two weeks.
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Cost:
$11,500.00
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Healing time:
3 weeks
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Pain-o-meter: 3
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After 22 years of hiding my profile by resting my chin in my hands when ever some one was on either side of me...after 22 years of dodging cameras unless I could look into them full face, after 22 years of looking at my mom and knowing where my neck was headed I finally took the plunge.
I didn't follow all the rules. I have a good fried who is an aesthetician and I asked her who's face looked good after cosmetic surgery, whose scars didn't show and who had the most natural appearance. She gave me the name of a doctor who worked on a few of her clients and I just went for it.
I thought that a chin implant and maybe some liposuction on my neck was what I needed. But the Doctor told me that the length of time my neck had been this droopy (for as long as I can remember) combined with my age (44) my skin might not pop back to where we would like it to.
He told me he could do it, but that I would probably not be as happy as if I went the full face lift route, including lipo, a neck lift and a chin implant. He added that if I wanted to look more rested he could take those bags of fat out from underneath my eyes. Initially I decided not to do that, but two weeks later I decided "oh why not?".
He then told me he would throw in a TCA peel on my lower lids for an extra bonus.
Three and a half weeks later I just don't KNOW if I could be happier. I had no idea that my profile could change this much. It's how I have always wanted to look, but better.
Recovery was a bitch, mostly due to being uncomfortable sleeping on my back and that strange feeling of numbness in my ears. Not to mention dodging everyone but my best friends, oh at that lovely head gear I wore for four days.
There was NO pain at all with the lower lids or TCA peel either.
After 5 days I looked stunning in profile, then, as directed, I stopped taking the anti swelling drugs and I started to get worried. Everyday my neck changed. One day beautiful, the next day lumpy, one day perfect the next day red spots.
I was also convinced that he had pulled me too tight. I really thought I was going to have the dreaded wind swept look. Three weeks later that look is all but gone.
Here's a tip: If you have a digital camera take pictures of yourself EVERY DAY. I was obsessive about this. Already I am so comfortable with the way I look I can't remember how I looked before. If I am having a bad day, I just pull out my photos from the night before surgery and breathe a sigh of relief. If I think the swelling is still too much, I pull out pictures from two weeks ago and compare them with pictures I took today. Instant gratification!
Again, I am only 3 and a half weeks past my surgery date, I still have the odd lump and bump, I still use a tiny bit of concealer on two tiny spots on my chin, but NONE under my eyes LOL. People are telling me I look rested and great and when they ask why I tell them it's because I took two weeks off of work, and they buy it! I also slightly changed the color of my hair, so that helps. One friend, in front of 8 other friends jokingly asked if I had had facelift...and I fessed up.
Everyone has been extremely supportive.
And I cannot believe I did not do this sooner. 44 sounds very young to have a face lift. It's not a drastic change of looks as it would be if I was in my 60's, but I am thrilled. I had a lot of extra skin; two little moles that were on my cheek are now much closer to my ears. That was a lot of extra skin there!
Anyway, that's my story and I can't believe that you read all of it. So few people I can actually give all the details too, and it's such a happy story for me!
I hope yours is too!
Here are more details:
How results differed from what I expected:
They are SO much better.
Biggest fears pre-procedure:
Dying under anesthesia. Looking pulled.
Healing aids used:
Arnica. The nurses kept telling me they were amazed at my minimal amount of bruising until I told them I used Arnica. Everyone of them then nodded their head and told me Arnica was amazing.
Number of doctors consulted:
1
Number of years I thought about having the procedure:
22
Had an elective procedure before:
Yes
Complications or follow-up procedures:
One earlobe fused. That will be fixed in a 10 minute procedue soon.
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This information is not to substitute for professional medical advice. You
should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or
disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please
consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have
regarding your condition.
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Gender:
Female
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Age:
44
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Ethnic group:
Caucasian
Education:
Some community college or university
Country:
United States
State/Province:
California
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About 70 percent of obese girls remain obese as adult women.
(Source: the Role of Weight Management in the Health of Women" by Sachiko T. St. Jeor, professor and director of Nutrition Education and Research at the University of Nevada, School of Medicine)
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