Really need some help/input regarding Face lift

I was also concerned about not looking like me, but I love my results! You can see before and after photos on my profile. However, I only had my upper eyes done and a necklift. The necklift included a little tightening of the skin on my mid-face, but no muscle tightening in that area.

Did anyone feel their face changed too much and they no longer look like themselves (I don't want to lose my identify.....know what I mean)?

I still look like me, just 20 years ago!

How long were you covered in bruises and hiding your face?

I had very little brusing, some around the eyes that could be easily covered by makeup after a few days.

How long were you in a lot of pain (I have a pretty high threshold but I hear the face hurts)?

Had very little pain, felt like a toothache on one side, but went away with pain meds. No pain after 2-3 days.

How long before the swelling went down?

Most gone in a couple of weeks, but my eyelids are still a little swollen in the mornings.

How long before you felt you could go out in public and didn't have to try to hid scars?

4-5 days.

How long before you could get back to a normal routine around the house....like could you cook diner the next day?

No way- the general anesthesia and narcotic pain meds made me feel sick and dizzy for the first 3 days.

Can you eat the first few days after surgery or should I stock up on shakes and straws?

could eat but did not want to, also had on a tight bandage that did not allow me to open my mouth all the way. This was removed on day 4.

Can you read immediately after surgery?  I have a college course starting the same day of surgery (on-line course but I'll need to do a lot of reading).?

No. eyes were swollen, I felt sick from pain meds, and had to put gooey medicine in my eyes. Three days later I could read though. More like a week before I could do a lot of reading.  Oh, almost forgot, I had little pain except that I had a headache for first few days- maybe from the tight bandage, or anesthesia.

Does anyone have any regrets?

Absolutely none!! I am thrilled with the results. However, I did do the minimum, ie. no forehead lift, mid-face, or lower eyelids. My surgeon said I did not need it at this time.

Did anyone have any major complications?

None. I had so much loose skin that I am going to have a small revision to my neck, but this will be a 15 minute office procedure.

Thanks for the great info.
All of this sounds so encouraging!!
I tried to look at your pictures but I need you to add me as a friend.....I just sent you a friends request.

I hadn't even though of "muscle tightening" in the face area....I'll make sure to clarify with my surgeon.  I don't think I need it in my neck but I'm not the expert.

Thanks again.  Look forward to seeing your photos.
TTFN
Ruth

Ruth I forgot to say...My eyes were never REALLY swollen, I had facelift/jawlift/tightening/brow lift/upper eye lift(along with breast lift). My Dear Mother put cold,iced gauze strips on my eyes , changing them out every 20 minutes all night and into the next day as she got up. She slept on a cot next to my bed. Because of her I had some puffiness but never REALLY swelled up.

Ruth and Laura,

I have added you as friends.

THANKS and you look GORGEOUS!!!!!

Thanks, Ruth! I forgot to mention that I also had fat injections to my nasolabial folds, frown wrinkles between my eyes, and upper lip. She also put in a little fat at the corners of my mouth that made them go up- a very nice effect. When I get my neck revised in a couple of weeks, I am going to get more fat injections in the same places.

Did anyone feel their face changed too much and they no longer look like themselves (I don't want to lose my identify.....know what I mean)?
See my pixs on my profile. I always had such a fat round face & looking like my Dad. Now I look more like my lovely Mom.
How long were you covered in bruises and hiding your face?I was out of work for 13 days and when I went back the only bruising I had left was under my chin where he tightened my chin waddles.
How long were you in a lot of pain (I have a pretty high threshold but I hear the face hurts) My face felt tight but it wasn't painful,in fact I was told that the face was the LEAST painful and that was true for me.I have a VERY low pain threshold.
How long before the swelling went down?
How long before you felt you could go out in public and didn't have to try to hid scars? I went shopping within 5 days and only waited that long because I was so groggy from anesthesia. I wore my "face sling" and a nice lady told me she had neck surgery ALSO recently and I didn't have the heart to say I'd had a face lift LOL
How long before you could get back to a normal routine around the house....like could you cook diner the next day? If I had not had such RESIDUAL grogginess from anesthesia I could have been cooking within 2 days.
Can you eat the first few days after surgery or should I stock up on shakes and straws?stock up on shakes & straws. Chewing was uncomfortable for a few days for me.
Can you read immediately after surgery?  I have a college course starting the same day of surgery (on-line course but I'll need to do a lot of reading).?I could read right away.Glasses just irrated my ears though.
Does anyone have any regrets?NONE!!!! Did anyone have any major complications?Nope

Thanks for all the info.  I'm going to check your profile too for pics.....thanks for sharing!!!!

Hi Ruth!
HOpe you made your decision.  It's probably too late to help, but I had a lower facelift 6 months ago, and the pain was minimal.  I only took pain pills the day of the surgery.  I did have swelling that made me feel self concious, but everyone else though I was fine.  I had no real bruising, but I didn't think that I looked like myself for 6 weeks.  No scars are visible, but I did wear that bandage for more than a couple of weeks, and since I was back at work, and doing groceries, I was very self concious.  Most people have no clue that I had "some work" done.  I just look like myself, but refreshed.

I'm feeling great, btw.  PM me later.
Adele