Having facelift surgery in 10 days - support and advice needed

[MerryForever]

HI there,

I'm due to go for surgery on 15th March. Face and neck lift under local anaesthetic. I'm 53, medium weight, would like to be a bit lighter. I've had a horrendous few years personally and it's shown a lot on my face. I'm in a better place now and feel this will give me a boost to restart the 'new me.' I'd love to hear from anyone really as I haven't told many people I'm having it done as it seems so vain. My dd is very supportive though. I don't have a current partner.

Any tips from those who have had similar procedures? Or chats with anyone thinking of getting some work done. Or even haters who will tell me that looks don't matter and I should bin it off.

Wow, there is a massive difference already and it is still early days. Have a high protein diet, that will help with wound healing.

Oh my… not sure I could do this under local anaesthetic as I am a total wimp… can you request it be under general? I want to be out cold!!

I had the complications explained at consult, then a raft of documents citing same I think from BAAPS. I specifically asked about his infection rate. I've had to have a full medical including ECG, blood screening, blood pressure, swabs etc. from the hospital he operates in. I know he turned away a friend of mine as her expectations were unrealistic (she didn't need a lift at all). I wanted my eyes done, too, but he won't as he says he doesn't think it's needed. So on that front my surgeon seems reassuring, but I do feel it's a bit of the wild west out there..

My god op, that's a fantastic result. You look incredible. Can't believe the difference.

He approved them all as “if needed” drugs. Except ibuprofen, which he authorised the next morning when he came to see me.

It was optional for me. I didn’t want a GA x

I had the same tests as well as a face and neck ultrasound. Also had risks explained to me repeatedly in person and in writing,

They can’t whack me around the head if they like, so long as I’m not conscious!! 🤣

Think they hold off ibuprofen initially as it can have a blood thinking effect, so can prevent clotting/cause slow bleeding? Think they need to know that the swelling/bruising is under control before they approve it, so his protocol seems sensible to me?

Yes, that’s exactly what he said.

Got my medical degree at the university of Google 🤣

Op how are you doing?

Op am getting a facelift too in July feel free to Dm me if you wish

Hi all - day 15 post surgery.

the swelling is going down but slowly. I still look quite moon-faced. Some of the incisions behind my ear on one side are still v sore and scabby. I can move my jaw more and eat better than I could. I’m out of the compression garment and can sleep flat again - hurray!

I think in another week I should have more sense of how I’m actually going to look although I believe it’s about 6 months to completely settle?

I’m looking more normal now - some of my natural contours are re-emerging and there are even some places where I think, “ooh - could’ve been a bit tighter!”

I’ll post an update photo later.

it’s a long recovery and lots of change to adjust to xxx

Hello! What kind and who with? Happy to help with any advice etc. x

Have they give you any creams for the scabs? Stratamed (or any silicone based creams) did wonders for my post operative wounds.

Here’s a scrappy before and after duo. Same make up, same place and time of day.

Ooh no, they haven’t just wash every day with mild shampoo and thoroughly dry with a hairdryer. Would Stratamed be suitable for this kind of surgery?

Your jawline is lovely!

I’d ask your surgeon but mine said they used it for all face surgery patients including facelifts (mine was a reconstruction so cautious about advice that might be different but a lot of it is similar for facial operation stuff!) but really helped during the healing and the scar reduction has been incredible. I don’t know the science behind it all but apparently silicone creams really help with healing wounds

Was just about to post this. And the marionette lines/perioral lines are so much finer now.

Wish I could wear red lippy…💋💄

It fabulous OP - looks like you've gone from a square jawline to a lovely heart shaped one! Your skin looks clearer too! Glad to hear you're recovering well 👍🏻

Why can’t you wear red lippy?

My teeth have always been very slightly off-white… 😭

God I’m sure mine are more than v slightly off white.