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Talksurgery adheres to the Health On the Net Foundation's Code of Conduct
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Facelift at 52
Pros:
I'm amazed at my neck - it's fabulous.
My skin tone looks better than before although I had no peels or dermabrasion and even my eyes look better although I had nothing done there either. I look in the mirror and am simply amazed. My neck and the lines around my mouth were my main concern. My profile now is so much better - I really didn't think it would be this good. I'm still slightly swollen and have some "hard spots" which my doctor has assured me will diminish. I was expecting to hole up for a month, but I actually went grocery shopping today and wasn't self-conscious - although since I'm not totally healed yet - I did go to a store on the other side of town where I wouldn't run the risk of running into anyone I know. I'm hoping that no one will know I had this done. I've taken this time off from work to lose 15 pounds in hopes that people will think the new chin line is a result of weight loss.
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Cons:
The down time.
The discomfort.
But compared to the result the cons for me are minimal.
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Cost:
6175.00
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Healing time:
this is day 12
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Pain-o-meter: 1
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I pretty much shared my story in the questions but I will share my recovery at least up to day 12.
Day 1
Returned home with drain coming out from behind my left ear and a huge helmet bandage on. My faced was exposed and I looked pretty good - not at all "beat up" like I expected.
Day 2
Some swelling, but I feel surprisingly good. I'm numb (like the feeling after going ot the dentist) Have to sleep upright - in a recliner. For me the temptation to go to the side is too great in my bed - so I opt for the recliner.
Went back to the doctor to have the drain removed and head wrap changed to a smaller version.
Day 3 and 4
Now the black and blue begins - actually in my case it quickly turned to a yellow color. Still numb - the head wrap is getting really annoying and I'm thinking (erroneously) that the tight feeling under my neck is caused by the helmet dressing. I'm tempted to get a big pair of scissors and cut the dang thing off. My husband restrains me. It feels so tight that, when I doze, I dream of being strangled, drowning, and sufficating.
Day 5
More of the same - my hair (stuck inside the dressing is hurting and feeing very tender on the top of my head - I work my finger around and make a hole in the top and pull some hair through - I feel strangly rebellious, but also like I've finally relieved some pressure from this mummy suit.
Day 6,7,8
I really feel the doctor should have taken the mummy suit off earlier - but I guess that's his call. Day 8 he took it off and removed some stiches.
Day 9
I find out the tightness in my neck was not from the head dressing - because it's still there, although not as bad as it was. The doctor says it's the muscles of my neck that he tightened and it will eventually go away.
Day 10-11
I'm starting to look pretty good and am really pleased with my new neck and profile. Still trying to sleep upright (sort of) because when I turn to the side that respective side swells. Oh, this is "big" - I noticed that when the dressing came off my hair got "loose". When I brush or even run my fingers through my hair large chunks come out. The doctor assures me this is normal. I've been blessed with lots of hair (I've often thought perhaps too much) so this is not a problem for me.
Also I've noticed my vision is a little blurry - perhaps the swelling, the doctor says.
Day 12
I had the rest of the stiches out today and I feel great. Got some hard spots under my mouth and in my cheek area - the doctor says this is normal. Still numb but have feeling now in right ear and partial in left - so I know it's coming. I'm surprised at how quickly things are changing and I'm very pleased.
Here are more details:
How results differed from what I expected:
I thought/hoped for some improvement in my "turkey neck", the lines around my mouth, the deep lines from the side of my nose to the edge of my lip, and also hoped for some improvement in my cheek muscles which looked like they were drooping with gravity as I aged.
Biggest fears pre-procedure:
That's easy:
First that I would die.
Next that I would be paralyzed in my face forever.
After that, that people would find out and think that I was vain and shallow.
Healing aids used:
The smartest thing my doctor did was give me a pill to take at home the morning of surgery. I was so relaxed by the time my husband dropped me off at the doctors that I was OK with whatever he wanted to do to me. I am by nature such a chicken and a worrier that I wonder now if I would have gone through with this, had I not had this pre-surgery relaxer.
I took vitamins C, B-complex and calcium as well as Arnica 3-4 times a day the 2 days preceeding surgery and a week after. Also squeezed fresh oranges every day for more vitamin C and drank cranberry juice.
Number of doctors consulted:
3
Number of years I thought about having the procedure:
1
Had an elective procedure before:
No
Complications or follow-up procedures:
Not Specified
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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:
52
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Ethnic group:
Caucasian
Education:
Post-graduate degree
Country:
Not specified
State/Province:
Texas
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Our weight alone is not a sufficient measure to assess our risk for disease. Total body fat, fat distribution and the consequences of dieting must be considered as well.
(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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