Before and After Pics Together_Facelift
Thanks, Kim. Yes, I still have a LOT of healing to do. You can see the swelling along the areas near my ears (the sides of my eyes if that makes sense), and my forehead and scalp are still swollen, too. Every day I wake up to small but significant changes, and I love the new look more and more with each passing day. I'll be sure to update from week to week.
I don't think that people realize what a huge recovery a facelift involves. It's not painful (at least not for me), but it does take a while for the bruising and pain to resolve. I read a doctor's comment saying that at two weeks, you are "presentable" in public, but you could never be "discrete", meaning that you would still show signs that you just had facial surgery after two weeks. He went on to say that at one month, most people would be able to go into public without having any obvious signs of facial surgery. I'm halfway there!
I don't think that people realize what a huge recovery a facelift involves. It's not painful (at least not for me), but it does take a while for the bruising and pain to resolve. I read a doctor's comment saying that at two weeks, you are "presentable" in public, but you could never be "discrete", meaning that you would still show signs that you just had facial surgery after two weeks. He went on to say that at one month, most people would be able to go into public without having any obvious signs of facial surgery. I'm halfway there!
To me you are amazingly beautiful before even, but stunning after! I can see why you were so happy! You may have answered this before, but may I ask how much your work cost?
Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift
Thanks so much for the sweet comments, Sublimate. My work, including the removal of my old saline breast implants, food, transportation, and lodging was 11,200. I had surgery at CIMA hospital, whi*****luded a one night stay with a private, English speaking nurse (though I found that most people I ran across in Costa Rica spoke English).
My surgery was more expensive because of the implant removal and because I also got a small chin implant. I think his CIMA hospital price for a full facelift (including upper and lower eyes and a classic brow lift) is 4,500, and CIMA fee are about 3600.00 for the six hour surgery and a one night stay. His clinic surgery facelift is about 1800.00 less, I think, because CIMA is more expensive than the clinic.
Dr. Lev's U.S. cooridnator, Didi, has his price list on her site at eternallyvain.com (over to the left side towards the top). His clinic price list is there, too, and is less expensive than the hospital option for people who are comfortable having surgery in a clinic setting.
My surgery was more expensive because of the implant removal and because I also got a small chin implant. I think his CIMA hospital price for a full facelift (including upper and lower eyes and a classic brow lift) is 4,500, and CIMA fee are about 3600.00 for the six hour surgery and a one night stay. His clinic surgery facelift is about 1800.00 less, I think, because CIMA is more expensive than the clinic.
Dr. Lev's U.S. cooridnator, Didi, has his price list on her site at eternallyvain.com (over to the left side towards the top). His clinic price list is there, too, and is less expensive than the hospital option for people who are comfortable having surgery in a clinic setting.
Thank you for your response.. and again you look great! I'm keeping an eye on prices for neck lifts as I definitely need one! I love the way your neck looks and can't wait to have mine done.
Start weight: 388, Current Weight: 185, Goal Weight: 180, Weight Lost: 203 lbs
Certified Nutritionist ♥ VSG FAQ♥ sublimate: To elevate or uplift.
3/2012 Plastics: LBL, 3 Hernias Fixed, BL/BA, Rhinoplasty & Septum Fix. 6/2013 Plastics: Arm and thigh lift
So sorry about the late reply. I just noticed your post. Before going to Costa Rica for this facial work, I had never been on an airplane or out of the U.S., so it was quite an adventure. Everything went very smoothly with the flight and with the entire trip, thank Goodness.
I was not at all nervous, but mostly because I had researched Dr. Lev well, and I knew that I would be staying at a recovery ranch with other U.S. patients of Dr. Lev's. He only does one surgery a day, and I was the last of our group to go into surgery, so I had the advantage of seeing all of the other women in the group go into surgery before me.
I also had no nervousness at all the morning of surgery. The staff at CIMA hospital were wonderful. All of them spoke enough English to be able to communicate with me well. Dr. Lev and his anesthesiologist speak pefect English. The brother of his anesthesiologists is actually a college professor at a medical college here in the U.S., about 70 miles from where I live. Small world.
In Costa Rica, they start their medication with a shot that sort of "erases" your memory of anything that's going on, but apparently, you are awake and talking for a while before they put you out for surgery. Look at Didi's account of her surgery for a further explanation of that. Before they gave me the shot, Dr. Lev told me to "think good thoughts, because patients who go to sleep with positive thoughts tend to wake up happy".
Knowing that I had picked a great doctor, and knowing that I was having surgery in a good hospital, my only worry was the ranch, as I had read mixed reviews. I went to the ranch fully expecting to hate it, but honestly, it turned out to be one of the best parts of the entire adventure. The owners are wonderful people, and I really enjoyed getting to know the other people who had surgery with various doctors.
Speaking of "various doctors", you do have to do your research and be very mindful of what doctor you choose in Costa Rica. While all of us patients at the ranch survived, I saw some stuff that I would consider to be questionable. For instance, one lady (very smart lady who thought she had researched well) ended up having a nine hour surgery at a clinic. She *thought* they were going to do two shorter surgeries to complete all of the work that she had done, but got one long surgery instead. She was also robbed of all of the things that she took to the clinic with her while she was having surgery. It all turned out alright, and she healed quickly, but that's one example of why you should talk to several patient yourself before choosing a doctor.
I can say FOR SURE that a person is safe with Dr. Lev. He is a great a person as he is a surgeon, and puts patient safety first. I've heard that Dr. DaCruz is good, also, but I have no personal experience with him. There are other good surgeons there, but I don't know enough to recommend anyone other than Dr. Lev. I also several instances of patients who were overcharged by patient coordinators, so you have to watch for that. Again, you are safe with Dr. Lev and Didi.
I would highly recommend surgery in Costa Rica if you are well-researched. I like the area, and there are many people from the U.S. who either live there or who have second homes there. You will meet lots of them on the plane or at the airport. It's a gorgeous country.
Oh, and yes, ALL of the patients that I saw in person who had surgery with Dr. Lev looked GORGEOUS!! I saw some in his waiting room who were not in our group, and they were beyond gorgeous! He's amazing.
I was not at all nervous, but mostly because I had researched Dr. Lev well, and I knew that I would be staying at a recovery ranch with other U.S. patients of Dr. Lev's. He only does one surgery a day, and I was the last of our group to go into surgery, so I had the advantage of seeing all of the other women in the group go into surgery before me.
I also had no nervousness at all the morning of surgery. The staff at CIMA hospital were wonderful. All of them spoke enough English to be able to communicate with me well. Dr. Lev and his anesthesiologist speak pefect English. The brother of his anesthesiologists is actually a college professor at a medical college here in the U.S., about 70 miles from where I live. Small world.
In Costa Rica, they start their medication with a shot that sort of "erases" your memory of anything that's going on, but apparently, you are awake and talking for a while before they put you out for surgery. Look at Didi's account of her surgery for a further explanation of that. Before they gave me the shot, Dr. Lev told me to "think good thoughts, because patients who go to sleep with positive thoughts tend to wake up happy".
Knowing that I had picked a great doctor, and knowing that I was having surgery in a good hospital, my only worry was the ranch, as I had read mixed reviews. I went to the ranch fully expecting to hate it, but honestly, it turned out to be one of the best parts of the entire adventure. The owners are wonderful people, and I really enjoyed getting to know the other people who had surgery with various doctors.
Speaking of "various doctors", you do have to do your research and be very mindful of what doctor you choose in Costa Rica. While all of us patients at the ranch survived, I saw some stuff that I would consider to be questionable. For instance, one lady (very smart lady who thought she had researched well) ended up having a nine hour surgery at a clinic. She *thought* they were going to do two shorter surgeries to complete all of the work that she had done, but got one long surgery instead. She was also robbed of all of the things that she took to the clinic with her while she was having surgery. It all turned out alright, and she healed quickly, but that's one example of why you should talk to several patient yourself before choosing a doctor.
I can say FOR SURE that a person is safe with Dr. Lev. He is a great a person as he is a surgeon, and puts patient safety first. I've heard that Dr. DaCruz is good, also, but I have no personal experience with him. There are other good surgeons there, but I don't know enough to recommend anyone other than Dr. Lev. I also several instances of patients who were overcharged by patient coordinators, so you have to watch for that. Again, you are safe with Dr. Lev and Didi.
I would highly recommend surgery in Costa Rica if you are well-researched. I like the area, and there are many people from the U.S. who either live there or who have second homes there. You will meet lots of them on the plane or at the airport. It's a gorgeous country.
Oh, and yes, ALL of the patients that I saw in person who had surgery with Dr. Lev looked GORGEOUS!! I saw some in his waiting room who were not in our group, and they were beyond gorgeous! He's amazing.
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