daniju, Yes the swelling can be SO scarery!! I heard a f/l patient on TV say he recovered in 2 weeks. I thought.. what, how?!! He must have had a mini lift.
The swelling can hang around the lower jaw area for a year with some people. I'm 10 mths and still have swelling on the side that blew up. The other side didn't swell at all. My ears are also uneven. One sticks out 1/4" more than the other, and so the ear lobe is on a different angle to the other which makes wearing ear rings out of the question. The other side has a ropey scar going from back of ear out to and into my hair. The hardness of my swollen cheek took around 8 mths to soften. Both sides are STILL partially numb. 50% feeling maybe what I'm left with.I have a large lump on my cheek on the side that didn't swell. I don't recommend going overseas for a f/l. A local dr. said I will most likely need to go back o/s to have the lump broken up and spread out flat and I shouldn't have to pay for it. (cause there'd be airfare and accomodation) I don't want my left ear and lobe sticking out either. If the surgeon agrees to fix these problems, I'm looking at being cut open on both sides again. As wannabncanada said, it's like a car wreck to the face and I swore I would never do it again. I met 2 ladies who had a f/l by the same surgeon and had no problems, but this has been the worst nightmare of my life!
The swelling can hang around the lower jaw area for a year with some people. I'm 10 mths and still have swelling on the side that blew up. The other side didn't swell at all. My ears are also uneven. One sticks out 1/4" more than the other, and so the ear lobe is on a different angle to the other which makes wearing ear rings out of the question. The other side has a ropey scar going from back of ear out to and into my hair. The hardness of my swollen cheek took around 8 mths to soften. Both sides are STILL partially numb. 50% feeling maybe what I'm left with.I have a large lump on my cheek on the side that didn't swell. I don't recommend going overseas for a f/l. A local dr. said I will most likely need to go back o/s to have the lump broken up and spread out flat and I shouldn't have to pay for it. (cause there'd be airfare and accomodation) I don't want my left ear and lobe sticking out either. If the surgeon agrees to fix these problems, I'm looking at being cut open on both sides again. As wannabncanada said, it's like a car wreck to the face and I swore I would never do it again. I met 2 ladies who had a f/l by the same surgeon and had no problems, but this has been the worst nightmare of my life!
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Hi Joan! I'm wondering if you have made the o/s decision yet? I'm so sorry to hear that you are still on that long recovery road. It is such a tough decision, but perhaps in your case, improvement will be possible by returning. It sounds like a better option than constant fillers.
After rereading my posts, I am relieved that much of that pain has been forgotten now, but will NEVER be relived willingly by me! haha!
Daniju - from what I have read on different boards - you are supposed to give it an entire YEAR to fully "recover". Since I am at 8 months post-op, this seems like a good estimate. Luckily I am no longer counting the days until that year is over (due to pain and swelling)!!!
Sadly, my once nice ears can no longer look the same when I wear earrings, like Joan1. I still wear them and just accept they won't hang the same.
Honestly I learned a lot from this surgery and think I will be working on the mental-repair-work much more extensively. I don't want to get "preachy" on here, but beauty is definitely in the eyes of the beholder and I just need to focus on things other than outward beauty. If you saw the movie with Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep - Death Becomes Her....I think it has an important message about trying to look flawless, plus it is great for a laugh!
What I really hope for, is that this board tells people what can happen when they choose "elective" surgery. I feel that many plastic surgeons don't tell you that recuperation time CAN BE ONE YEAR. And I think many people have different pain levels. I had heard, before the surgery, that face lifts are the most painful due to all the nerve endings in your face. In the back of my mind, before my surgery though, I thought that it wouldn't be so bad....IT WAS. And I have had some various surgeries in the past that SHOULD have been as bad as a face lift, but wasn't.
After rereading my posts, I am relieved that much of that pain has been forgotten now, but will NEVER be relived willingly by me! haha!
Daniju - from what I have read on different boards - you are supposed to give it an entire YEAR to fully "recover". Since I am at 8 months post-op, this seems like a good estimate. Luckily I am no longer counting the days until that year is over (due to pain and swelling)!!!
Sadly, my once nice ears can no longer look the same when I wear earrings, like Joan1. I still wear them and just accept they won't hang the same.
Honestly I learned a lot from this surgery and think I will be working on the mental-repair-work much more extensively. I don't want to get "preachy" on here, but beauty is definitely in the eyes of the beholder and I just need to focus on things other than outward beauty. If you saw the movie with Goldie Hawn and Meryl Streep - Death Becomes Her....I think it has an important message about trying to look flawless, plus it is great for a laugh!
What I really hope for, is that this board tells people what can happen when they choose "elective" surgery. I feel that many plastic surgeons don't tell you that recuperation time CAN BE ONE YEAR. And I think many people have different pain levels. I had heard, before the surgery, that face lifts are the most painful due to all the nerve endings in your face. In the back of my mind, before my surgery though, I thought that it wouldn't be so bad....IT WAS. And I have had some various surgeries in the past that SHOULD have been as bad as a face lift, but wasn't.
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Thank you ladies, it helps to hear that others have gone through similar experiences. Joan1, I wish you the best when you go through your revision surgery. Like wanabncanada said, that is a tough decision. Nevertheless, I think I will do the same, since in my case is very noticeable. I can't understand how my doctor didn't notice this. I dislike him so much, he doesn't even like to talk to his patients. Of course, he wasn't like that the days prior to the surgery, but I have no choice but to do it with him. First because I don't have the money to pay full price for another face surgery and second because it is not easy to find a doctor who would be willing to fix another doctor's mistake. They even charge hundreds for a second opinion, I called four different doctors, including one who I had gone to see when I was in the process of choosing a doctor. Anyway, thank so much to you both.
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Diniju, PLEASE don't worry at this stage. Sorry to worry you that you too may need further surgery due to a lump. In most cases of lumps, creases, asymmetry, being able to feel sutures, crooked smile, numbness and all the other possible side effects from f/ls, things settle completely by 3 mths, 13 mths. at the most. That's why corrective surgery is not generally done until 12 mths. post op.
Hi, Wananbncanada. I have to wait for the filler in my right cheek to be absorbed until any surgery can be considered. The 2nd syringe went in Jan 2011 (4 mths. post op) and lasts 12 mths. I feel glad that I've found this dr. who is interested in helping me and has contacts at Bumrungraad.He wants to see me when the filler's gone. He said he can see some swelling still on the other side, so it's not my imagination! He did say it's only noticeable when he studies my face, so others wouldn't notice.
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Biafine, by prescription, helps reduce scarring by skin cell renewal. It has very high reviews! I am using it over my facelift stitches. It's been a week since my facelift,k and I am worried about scarring!
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Would love to hear an up date from you. I am 5 weeks post op and I feel like I'll never be with out swelling and bruising.
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Please take time to post and update. I am 5 weeks post op and feel like I will have bruises and swelling forever. Now, at the 4 week mark I developed chemosis.
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How are you now with the results of your facelift now that it's been over a year? This could be crucial information for those of us still healing and need a boost of confidence or simply honest information we can rely on.
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omg... i am so relieved to have found this site. I am 6 weeks post face/neck lift, and am miserable! My right cheek has a dent the size of a quarter right in the middle, the left side is disproportionally swollen, and my neck is like ropes. The ps keeps saying everything is fine ( not in anyone else's opinion), and i am soooo depressed I don't go out at all. And this is a surgeon in beverly hills! i agree with you that likely the fat got bunched up by the cheek bone, and I don't know if that is fixable! I just don't know what to do, or who to see. I can't believe I am going to look like this forever!!
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November 2010 - I had my full face lift, forehead and eyelift in Thailand by the same surgeon Joan had. I thought I had done all my research - American board certified.....I won't go over everything, but it has been 1 year and 7 months.......one side is still "slightly swollen" - I have an ugly scar by my ear front, that I must keep hidden with hair. I haven't slept on ice packs for the past 7 months. I am 55. I don't care HOW MUCH I age now - I will NEVER go under for another face lift. I did it for the wrong reasons. I will accept my wrinkles gracefully and know there are far more important things in life than looking in the mirror. I don't judge others who do this, but I think my mistake was in choosing the Thailand plastic surgeon, trying to please another and not believing in myself more. I appreciate this thread because people can see HONESTLY what can happen. I just hope enough people read it BEFORE surgery to realize this is no walk in the park - recovery and results are not guaranteed.
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Sept 2010 was my original surgery date at Bumrungrad hosp. Thailand. I too have left side fuller than the right. The right side will have to be re-draped and possibly a fat graft from my groin. What a nightmare!
2 surgeons here said it's better to have corrections by the surgeon who did original face lift.....so they didn't want to do it.
3 mths post op I developed vitiligo around my ear scars (front & behind), with a large patch behind one ear. There are several treatment options...time consuming and expensive. An ugly scar behind left ear lobe will have to be redone. It was stitched badly. I have to have my hair over my ears all the time. Not comfortable in the hot humid summers.
When I talk to people I try and stand on an angle so they don't look at the right side of my face. What a way to live! I've put off the correction as I had to save for breast implant removal and lift. Also waiting to hear from hosp. about a discount request. My surgeon has waived his fee, but I've still got hosp., accommodation and airfares to pay.
This has been worst experience of my life.
2 surgeons here said it's better to have corrections by the surgeon who did original face lift.....so they didn't want to do it.
3 mths post op I developed vitiligo around my ear scars (front & behind), with a large patch behind one ear. There are several treatment options...time consuming and expensive. An ugly scar behind left ear lobe will have to be redone. It was stitched badly. I have to have my hair over my ears all the time. Not comfortable in the hot humid summers.
When I talk to people I try and stand on an angle so they don't look at the right side of my face. What a way to live! I've put off the correction as I had to save for breast implant removal and lift. Also waiting to hear from hosp. about a discount request. My surgeon has waived his fee, but I've still got hosp., accommodation and airfares to pay.
This has been worst experience of my life.
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I am just at week three after a neck and cheek lift with platysma, and I agree the recovery is long and bumpy...I happened to be watching the Today show yesterday and they were discussing 'quick anti-aging fixes'...after they discussed them all, they said: "Just remember this: the more down time the more dramatic the result." I am making that my mantra. If that is true we will all be radiant when the recovery is over...
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I am 3 weeks out from a QuickLift and chemical peel. I had sun damage and thought the peel would help. Would never do that again. I think I have more dark spots than before. Maybe they will fade. I too am depressed at my recovery. The swelling and tightness around my jawline seems so obvious to me, but my husband said it really isn't that bad. I had a large hematoma under my right ear. The bruising under that ear and my neck is still quite dark, though it too is fading. My biggest concern is the lumpiness in my lower right cheeck just above my jawline. It even has a bruised appearance. I have been massaging it with a little Aquaphor several times a day per the PA's instructions. I went into this thinking I could stand the pain and recovery, but I thought by now I would be recovered. I woke up today so depressed and crying. My husband has been a saint. He said we will go at my pace. If I want to hibernate (thank heavens I retired this year at 62), he said not to worry. I have a 6 week follow-up appt on Nov 29. I am hoping within the next month I see some results. If not, I am going to voice my disappointment to them at that time. My hair needs colored. I did tell my hairdresser I was doing this. Now if I can only get an appt when she is the only one in the salon, which will probably be impossible. I only left the house once. Put on heavy makeup and was self-conscious the whole day. I haven't been able to face any of my friends. I keep telling my husband I thought I was prepared for this but emotionally no one prepared me. Thanks to all of you for sharing your stories too.
I am just hoping that time will heal my problems. I am so thankful I had this done when winter is beginning so I don't have to leave the house if I don't want to.
I am just hoping that time will heal my problems. I am so thankful I had this done when winter is beginning so I don't have to leave the house if I don't want to.
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Teenqueen, Sorry to hear you're so upset. 3 weeks in facelift /peel land is super early!
No hair tinting or perming for 6 weeks post op. That's why it's advised 2 weeks before surgery. Chipmuck cheeks near the jaw are common and is the last area to go down...up to 3 mths. for some.
If you haven't already, please read everything here. You'll feel MUCH better!
I tried homeopathic cream and bromelain/quercetin for swelling, but it didn't help. Be careful massaging bruised areas. I've had a f/l and redo 2 yrs. later. Both times, when I thought my incisions were healed, and did gentle massage, the incisions got infected.
No hair tinting or perming for 6 weeks post op. That's why it's advised 2 weeks before surgery. Chipmuck cheeks near the jaw are common and is the last area to go down...up to 3 mths. for some.
If you haven't already, please read everything here. You'll feel MUCH better!
I tried homeopathic cream and bromelain/quercetin for swelling, but it didn't help. Be careful massaging bruised areas. I've had a f/l and redo 2 yrs. later. Both times, when I thought my incisions were healed, and did gentle massage, the incisions got infected.
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