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.

Interestingly i have a couple of Spire hospitals near me. I might look there as well as would be much easier than training to London! It’s really hard - if I need a plumber or decorator I pop onto the community pages on facebook and ask for recommendations… can’t do that for a plastic surgeon!!

It’s much cheaper than Harley Street, by thousands.

There’s a nice place in East Grinstead, can’t remember the name but there’s a surgeon there, Marc Pacifico, he seems amazing but he was so booked up surgically and I want to act fast.

I think that’s the Macindoe centre? I sent an enquiry yesterday!

It is the McIndoe Centre. It's a private cosmetic wing now which is part of the original famous hospital that started treating the horrific burns of servicemen during WW2.

Oh wow, I remember seeing a documentary on that once. No idea it was the same place.

He's got.a private clinic in Tunbridge wells called Purity Bridge.

Thank you! I’ll PM when it’s up and running again.

Yes, I went there for an initial consultation and was v impressed.

If I wanted nose to mouth lines done would that come under full or mini facelift?

I’m not an expert but don’t people use Botox for that?

A mini lift is most likely - but I understand it is very dependent on skin quality, age, etc as you can get better/longer lasting results with a deep plane.

Three more days to go, including today. I had a long chat with the surgeon’s secretary yesterday and learned that the procedure is at least 4 hours. I’m feeling nervous now and anxious about anything going wrong. It’s hitting me what a huge thing it is to do to yourself. I really want to feel better about myself but now it’s near I’m feeling wobbly.

@MerryForever I am sure it will go absolutely fine, but I do understand that you're feeling worried. I had a facelift, and upper and lower blepharoplasty done at the beginning of January, and I also felt worried beforehand, but the surgery went absolutely fine.

Everyone seems to say that the recovery process only takes 2 or 3 weeks but for me it's been a lot longer. I think it's probably been because I had a few procedures done at once so I'm sure with just a facelift the recovery would be shorter. I felt OK to go out in public after a couple of weeks (with sunglasses on), but I didn't feel comfortable meeting people I knew (who I hadn't told about it) for about 6 weeks!

I also had quite a lot of emotional ups and downs, but from about 6 weeks I started to love the results. I cannot believe my jowls, hooded eyelids and puffy eye bags are gone! I don't have an overly stretched look at all - at the beginning it looks a bit like that with all the swelling, but now it has really softened and looks much more natural. I still have wrinkles and my skin isn't perfect (I'm late 40s), but so happy I did it.

All the very best, and I am sure you will love your results!

That's filler

@MerryForever I think your feelings are totally normal. It’s a big step. Am so glad @Pinkjeans has been able to come on to reassure though. Thank you for sharing that here :)

My friend had this done at the spire. She looks amazing but not in an obvious way, more glowing and younger. I'm so impressed.

My NYC friend had it done last year at 69. She looks good too. She said that at the hairdresser she can spot them because of the improvement in profile. But it's nothing obvious or exaggerated.

It's totally understandable to feel anxious but you really are in safe hands. Would you mind if I PM you? I have details of a on line support group which might be useful to you both before and after your op.

Many moons ago I temped in admin for a cosmetic surgery place and the (non clinical) said a ‘lower face lift’ was a waste of money as results wouldn’t last.

Have no idea if that was true or rubbish or whether things have changed!

That would be wonderful - thank you so much!

And thanks everyone else for the reassuring comments.

I think mine is mid face mainly with a bit of jawline. I think the difference now seems to be more about what they do underneath the skin surface that makes it last or not?

How exciting! I haven't had a face lift (yet) but did have an extended tummy tuck + liposuction 4 years ago. I went to our local Spire Hospital and my surgeon and care was amazing. I went away on a short break just 5 weeks after surgery and my surgeon gave me his personal mobile number just incase I had any issues or concerns!

It was some of the very best money I've ever spent. Having 2 c-sections close together had totally wrecked my stomach and left me with a 4" muscle separation. I permanently looked 5 months pregnant and it made me miserable, and why on Earth should I have to feel miserable?

And inner elbows