Question
I am wanting to get a lift next year and want to schedule a consultation. What can I expect in my consultation? Will the ps show me what I'll look like? Will ps do a facelift and a /mmh/product/tummytuck/index.vm?procid=11" target=_blank>tummy tuck at the same time? or is this done separately? I am new here and I am enjoying learning from all of your posts. Thanks for any input you can give me.
Maria
Radiance Injections


Answer
Hi Maria and welcome to the board, your ps should explain what he thinks you need and probably pull your skin and show you in a mirror what you may look like after the surgery, Personally I would have the op's seperately, it's enough getting over /mmh/product/facelift/index.vm?procid=7" target=_blank>face lift//mmh/product/tummytuck/index.vm?procid=11" target=_blank>tummy tuck on it's own they are both big ops.Chez x
I can resist anything but temptation-- Oscar Wilde
Age 59 f/l neck lift u/l bleph ear lobe reduction
June 12 2006


Answer
If you have not already decided which PS you will use....make appointments with several and listen to what each one has to say. Ask questions and find one that your comfortable with, and can speak with openly. You'll find they all have different opinions and may each be equally correct. This board is a great place to get feedback on different procedures and how they may be done. Nows the time for your research work.....and theres alot out there. You have some homework ahead of you, but eventually when you get down to the day, it will give you a great deal of peace of mind. The group here are wonderful. My personal imput at this point is....if your doing your face....go to a PS who does only from the neck up. That PS may refer you to a very good tummy tuck PS. My main gig is in the medical field (unfortunatly not PS)....so I believe in sticking to people who do only what they do best.


Answer
If you have not already decided which PS you will use....make appointments with several and listen to what each one has to say. Ask questions and find one that your comfortable with, and can speak with openly. You'll find they all have different opinions and may each be equally correct. This board is a great place to get feedback on different procedures and how they may be done. Nows the time for your research work.....and theres alot out there. You have some homework ahead of you, but eventually when you get down to the day, it will give you a great deal of peace of mind. The group here are wonderful. My personal imput at this point is....if your doing your face....go to a PS who does only from the neck up. That PS may refer you to a very good tummy tuck PS. My main gig is in the medical field (unfortunatly not PS)....so I believe in sticking to people who do only what they do best.
I agree with Adhara, one ps for the face and one for the tt. And i think both together would be way to much.
ShirleySMAS face and necklift
8th March 2006
Age 53


Answer
Hi, Maria - Welcome to the Board!
In addition to writing out all your questions for the surgeons to review, you might find helpful what my twin and I did.
We sketched a woman's face--then filled it in with all the areas bothering us:
--folds over eyelids, sagging jowls, neck cords, brow lines, etc, etc.
In other words---we actually sketched in the "defects"--and then wrote in next to them what the problem was-- (hooded eyes, for example). From this illustration, the doctor was able to review each area that was problematic to us--and tell us just how realistic our hoped-for changes would be!!!
In retrospect, the doctor told us that it was the single most helpful guide he'd ever seen in helping him know EXACTLY what the patient....a) wished to have done....and b) how the patient viewed herself before surgery. He copied our drawing and planned to use it as a future guide to show other women who come in, unsure of just which areas are making them look 'older".
If you're not feeling like Michaelangelo and don't think you can draw this face....then just find a large magazine photo of a model's face---and drawn in the lines, pouches, etc right on the face, to indicate your own problem areas.
Listen carefully to his suggestions. The first time I discussed facial surgery with my doctor, he immediately honed in on my eyes as being the main area that needed word. Now---this amazed me--because I hadn't even THOUGHT about my eyes! I was agonizing about the drooping cheeks and jowls! But he showed me how my eyes were slowly falling back into my face behind these new skin folds---and I was then able to add that to my illustration
A good doctor will also tell you what you DON'T need done! Mine told me before the op that he may or may not do a little chin lipo after he pulled back the platysmal cords. He admitted that he would not know for sure until the cords were fixed....and, as it turned out, he realized after completing the neck that I did not have enough fat in the chin area to do lipo---that I did not need it. So....he didn't do it. And he was right--my neck really was firm enough under the chin line.
So--do listen to all the docltors' suggestions. And see what you think. Some people say the doctor's personality doesn't really matter as long as he is an expert. But I find the relationship very, very important--particularly in the follow-up--when you may have many questions you need to clarify. If I hadn't like my doctor--if I'd felt nervous every time I had to consult with him--I know that would have affected my attitude to the entire face lift. (Fortunately, I was lucky in that I'd known him for several years and we were friends.) So--if a doctor's personality really bothers you---I would definitely take that into consideration. He may bring that attitude into your aftercare.
Anyway, there's a treasure trove of threads here in the archive discussing what to look for in a surgeon. I don't know why...but I have problems using the search function. I'm probably not doing it right. But I'm sure our very kind moderator, Chez, would be happy to help! Right Chez???
So, again, welcome to the board, Maria! Nice to have you here.
TwinL (Lynn)


Answer
I wanted to have my upper and lower abbs lipoed same time I had my FL. My PS said no was to much for my body to handle at one time. Gosh what was I thinking. I would have been in so much pain . I am so glad the PS said no.
I agree with the other fine ladies dont do them both at same time.
All the best of luck,
Daisy


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Thanks for all the suggestions! I will keep reading on this board everyday. I am learning a lot and loving looking at the pictures of everyone. Thanks again!