Things to be aware of, pre- & post-op

[Los]

Six days ago, I underwent a lower face lift. Prior to the procedure, I didn't have an opportunity to talk to anyone who'd ever undergone cosmetic surgery so my understanding of the procedure and its after-effects was based on what I'd read on various cosmetic surgeons' websites.

Typically these websites will say things like "some swelling and discolouration is normal" and "there may be some discomfort but this is easily controlled by medication" and "there may be some numbness for up to several weeks following the procedure."

Having now become an old-hand, I can tell anyone who is contemplating this kind of surgery, that all of these statements are true. The range of individual reaction will obviously be fairly wide, but so as not to be shocked or disappointed, consider the statements to be vast understatements. Expect that you'll be on the upper end of the unpleasantness range. If it turns out differently, the whole experience will be easier for you.

You should expect significant swelling and bruising. You should expect to see a forensic crime-scene photo staring back at you in the mirror over the first several days following the procedure. At least for the first few days, you should not expect to see any improvement - in fact, the bruising is more likely to grow deeper and more extensive. You should expect that some people will avert their eyes, the way one does when seeing someone who is disfigured. And you should expect to feel discouraged, maybe even a bit depressed, and definitely impatient for the healing to be complete. Healing will take longer than you want it to. Time will pass slowly.

I haven't experienced any "pain" per se, but it sure can be uncomfortable. Except when you're distracted by something, expect to feel tingling, pressure, stiffness, itchiness and numbness. But it doesn't hurt the way you think of the pain of a sudden deep cut, stepping on a tack, a burn, biting your tongue, or a migraine headache.

Cosmetic surgeons' websites will also tell you that your expectations for improvement should be reasonable. It's too early for me to be able to say one way or the other since I'm still waiting for the swelling and bruising to subside, but I believe that this should probably be the most important factor in your decision to proceed or not. The after-effects described above are clearly temporary. Two to four weeks after the procedure, most if not all of the swelling, bruising and general discomfort will be behind you. Your satisfaction with the results will ultimately be based on what you expected to get out of the surgery. Don't expect a dramatic change. If you currently look like Ernest Borgnine (sorry Ernie, wherever you are), don't expect to see Harrison Ford in the mirror. Figure out what feature or characteristic you'd like to correct or improve, and expect the results to be slightly less dramatic than your "dream" look. For example, I really didn't like seeing my father's jowls every time I looked in the miror. My self image just didn't match the old guy looking back at me from the mirror. I hope that a few weeks from now, I'll see a 45 year-old looking back at me, rather than the 52 year-old I've been seeing lately. I'm not expecting to turn the heads of attractive young women - although this would be quite a stunning new development which I would certainly welcome...

Anyway, I hope this helps shed some light on what the procedure might be like if you decide to go through it yourself. You'll look like hell for a week or so. You'll feel uncomfortable some of the time, but not in pain. Manage your expectations.

For those of you who have already gone down this road before me, I'd like to know if my experience rings true.

[This message has been edited by Los (edited 10-13-2002).]

[Los]

Ok, so now ten days have passed. Swelling and bruising are noticeably diminished although it's still apparent that I've had some kind of surgery or something. I can forget about going back to work in four more days, i.e. the two-week anniversary of the procedure.

I've been back to the Doctor's office twice now for removal of stitches and staples, but have to go back again on Monday since the doctor was reluctant to remove them where swelling might be placing pressure on the incision. I've never had staples before so I was a bit freaked about the process of having them removed. If you're a first-timer too - don't sweat it. It's no worse than a bit of a pinch.

What hasn't been as easy to deal with has been the presence of hematomas - pockets of blood that have pooled in a couple of spots between the skin and underlying tissue. These have required insertion of needles in order to try to aspirate the blood, or to massage the blood out through the hole made by the needle. Because there's still considerable localized numbness, it's really not all that bad. It actually feels no worse than a bit of pinching and pressure.

Each day is better than the previous one. As the new face begins to emerge from under that crime-scene photo of last week, I'm feeling more and more confident and more and more pleased with myself for going through with it. Last night, one of the more ardent critics of my decision saw me for the first time since the operation. Her reaction was perfect: "Wow, You REALLY look good!"

[cratchit]

The way you look after your op depends on the level of expertise of your surgeon. Do not think the crash scene horror is normal, it is not. If you have a good surgeon you should look "normal" with no swelling bruising, facial distortions of any kind within two weeks of your facial operation. You will be able to go back to work with full make up and look great. I only found this out after I got a "bad" surgeon. I too thought this was normal until I saw tv programmes of "good surgeries" then I realised I had been taken for a ride. If Joan Rivers can look great as 70, you should expect to look great too. Your surgeon should be able to improve what you have got, if not find another surgeon - you are paying for them!

[Los]

Originally posted by cratchit:
... you should look "normal" with no swelling bruising, facial distortions of any kind within two weeks of your facial operation. You will be able to go back to work with full make up and look great...

I agree. If were a woman and accustomed to wearing make-up, I'd consider returning to work with appropriate make-up. But I'm a man and wearing make-up to the office isn't a viable option. I'll take a few more days off instead. At this point, with the use of a bit of Dermablend for a couple of spots, I'm comfortable for most mundane activities: shopping, walking the dog, etc. Nonetheless, I don't care how good the surgeaon is, following a lower face-lift, which is a highly invasive procedure on a blood-enriched part of the body, there will be considerable swelling and bruising.

I'm sure there are levels of surgical competency which can have a direct impact on degree, just as there are levels of patient sensitivity that will have an impact on degree. But no one should think that they're going to look good in the morning. Everyone should be prepared to look pretty banged-up the next day, and for several days after that.

My point is to go into the operation understanding that you're not going to look good for a couple of weeks. For a while after that, you're presentable with cosmetics. For a while after that, there'll be lingering but diminishing numbness. But hopefully,for many years after, you'll look great, feel great and enjoy greater confidence and have a healthier self-image.

[CT]

Thanks so much for posting the F/L experience. I am pre-consult for Nov.05 and weaving in and out of my desire to have the surgery. One issue I am undetermined about is having several procedures done at one time. My procedures will be upper/lower blephs and mini-lift. Seems to me that maybe having the blephs first/healing and then the F/L would be being a lttle kinder to my body. LOL...it has taken quite awhile to find the PS of my dreams(sort of speak). I am consulting with two on Nov. 05 and another on the 15th. I will decide which of the three will be the lucky one to make the first cut in my little jowl line. Anyway, just to let that I appreciate your sharing your experience and would like for you to post and let me know how you like the final results. Was it worth all the h--?