Laser surgery on Monday

Well, Ladies.....it's scheduled....I go in for laser surgery on my face and neck on Monday. I was a lifegaurd in the 70's, have a lot of blotchy stuff from that on my face now, plus some pre-cancerous spots....okay, okay, and a bunch of pesky wrinkles too. So, with money I got as a gift, I'm paying to have this done....for me.
Back when I was with my ym, he always said he loved me just the way I was, and I'm sure he did...it's just that now I'm single and since my attraction is solidly with younger men, I really just want to "freshen up" and feel the best about my first impression on people as possible. So, I'll keep you all posted and answer any questions you may have.
One of my ballet teachers had the procedure done in February, and it was miraculous !! She is 62...her skin looks to be about 42 now. I got to see her during the stages of the healing process (minus the first 10 days when you look like someone took a blow torch to your face !!), and she said the pain was not all that bad at all. So, I'm not going in blind....I know it's going to be hellish for two weeks, and then I'll look red for another 2-3 months (but nothing makeup can't cover).
I'm turning 48 and my PS says that I am coming in at the perfect time for the porcedure since afterward I will look great, but not like I've "had anything done" in a totally obvious way.
Here are the percentages he gave me.
-fine lines and wrinkles GONE...100%!
-deep line (smile / frown lines) diminished 70%
- Eyelid skin tightened up immediately (he said that he
actually watches it shrink away when he applies
the laser....so no need for that "brow lift" )
-blotchiness/freckling/ pre cancer.....GONE 100%
- pores...shrunk and elasticity renewed....skin clear and
smooth.....general tightening all over (neck too)

Have to wear 45 sunscreen for the rest of my life or hyper pymentation results...but I've been wearing 30 for years, so that's no biggy for me.
Cost (here in Oregon): $4100...all inclusive.
Have to have someone spend the first night after surgery with me to give medicine and check on me...after that, I can go solo.

Of course, all my friends say, "Karen you don't NEED it....you look great!" I know I don't need it....but I want it. You've heard the phrase, "if the barn needs painting, paint it!"....We'll, I'm just having a little sand blasting done first to remove the old, peeling coat before I apply a new one. HA !! I'm all for personal choice and looking the best I can. I figure I've spent hundreds of dollars on all those alpha hydroxy creams and things over the years....now I can throw them out!!! Hey, I'll be saving money!!

Anyway....I'll keep ya posted. I'm excited....
Karen:D

Karen, I'm completely for it! You tell us later how it went, I'm sure the results will be great!

Go for it, girl! :)

wow. $4100. That's a bargain. I think it's great, Karen. I've never been one for any type of plastic surgery. But, lately, I've looked at my face and sure thought about it now! :p

Good luck with it all. I'm hoping it won't be too painful for you.

Karen-keep us all posted! I commend your 'bravery'....i'm such a chicken when it comes to things like that....I, too, think that women have to do whatever we need to do...to feel better about ourselves. That old saying goes around my house anyhow...if MOM aint happy....NO ONES happy=)! Goodluck and many hugs, Darla

Karen, first of all I am glad to see that you are doing what makes you happy and feel better about yourself. I too, looked into several different laser procedures, esp. the one my plastic surgeon offered. His laser treatment, which is called laser resurfacing, does all what you said except the shrinking of the eyelids and neck area. Does your doctor do a combination of the hot and the cold (or whever it is called) in order to get both effects of resurfacing and skin tightening? Do you have the technical name for it? I had seen a re-run of Oprah last week about a new procedure of cold laser treatments that a dermatologist said can replace the invasive mini and full face lifts. Shocks of lasers (if that is the right term) are made around the face and tighten it up in 6 months. The best candidates were those in their late 40's to early 50's before gravity really took its toll. So that is what I meant by hot and cold lasers. Thanks for any more information you can give that will shed some light regarding my questions. And good luck!

Here are the percentages he gave me.
-fine lines and wrinkles GONE...100%!
-deep line (smile / frown lines) diminished 70%
- Eyelid skin tightened up immediately (he said that he
actually watches it shrink away when he applies
the laser....so no need for that "brow lift" )
-blotchiness/freckling/ pre cancer.....GONE 100%
- pores...shrunk and elasticity renewed....skin clear and
smooth.....general tightening all over (neck too)




Karen~

That sounds wonderful... good luck to you and best wishes for a quick recovery!:)

Good Luck Special K!
I wish you a very speedy recovery and I am sure you are going to look gorgeous!

I have always wanted to try some microdermabrasion to get rid of a scar from a youthful car accident by my right eyebrow but have never really looked into it too far.

If you need anything let me know!
:-)

I hope all goes well. Please take care. :`)
;)

Good luck with your surgery! I have been contemplating something like that at some time in the future, and have recently looked at something called a Lifestyle Lift. Is what you are having done something like it? All I know about the one here without going to a consultation is that it is a non-invasive procedure that takes about an hour. No lasers were mentioned and no pricing given by the woman I spoke with on the phone. Just curious.

I hope that Karen is doing okay after her surgery. Has anyone heard from her since Monday?

I hope she's doing fine and at home! Tell us how you are feeling, Karen! :) It must be hard the first days.

Hi, All! :D
Okay, I'm still smiling, a good sign, right?
I am totally open to giving anyone who wants to hear it, a detailed play-by-play of the healing process and little suggestions if you are considering laser resurfacing...pm me if you want the whole nine yards. But for now, for here, I'll give the brief version of things.
First....this procedure is not for the faint-hearted....but having said that, I would definitely do it again even knowing what it's all about now. The results, I can tell, will be....dramatic...the cost in time and discomfort is minimal in comparison.
Day One: the procedure took about 2 hours under local anesthetic and a narcotic drip that made me "feel" asleep. No general anethetic needed....low risk. I have no memory of the procedure at all. Had to have a friend stay with me the first night and take me to a followup appt. the next day. I went home looking like the "Elephant Man", with plastic wrap all over my face and neck covered with gauze bandaging. I could tell my eyes were swollen, but couldn't see much else.
No noticeable pain....but the head wrap was annoying
Day 2: on pain medication that made me sleepy. Drank Ensure-type meal replacements and water. Taking an anti inflamatory and antibiotic as well. Mostly just slept. Still no "pain"...uncomfortable a bit (mostly due to the freakin head wrap), but nothing the medication didn't take care of.
Day 3: Had a friend drive me for a followup appt. They removed the head wrap (Thank Goodness !!!!!)...it felt amazing to have that thing off! My face looked swollen and red. I was told to do vinegar/water rinses about 4-6 times a day (to cleanse the face from the weepy-watery secretions and prevent crusting). The rinses are refreshing. Still no pain...just a stinging sensation..and a little itchy. Off pain medication now...benadryl and extra strength tylenol keeps the comfort level good. Took a shower and washed my hair...that felt great!
Day 4-6: Still beet red, swelling markedly down....I have NO crows feet or freckles or "liver spots"! My top eyelids are not droopy anymore! This is cool. Skin feels tight...sometimes stings, but totally manageable with the rinses and vaseline cover I put on after....and extra strngth tylenol/benadryl. Still not EVEN considering going out in public though. My friend is bringing over Ben and Jerry's and a movie. I look freakish, but I knew what to expect so I have only positive thoughts (like: I can't wait to get makeup on and waltz out with the new.fresher ME and hear all those, "wow, Karen, you look really good, rested!" comments. Little will they know ;-) ). Going to a writer's conference the first weekend in August....should look good by then (part of the followup is an appt. with a makeup specialist who matches you for a base foundation that masks the redness while you heal. Redness/pink color usually gone in 2-3 months).
It hasn't been a week yet, and I'm SO glad I did this. The first 2-3 days are a little rough, and you have to be prepared to see "a monster" in the mirror for about 10 days....but it is all worth it to me. I'm excited and happy with the results so far. It was not horrible at all. I can't vouch for procedures that invole "cutting", but laser is a great first step...that I think will take care of everything I wanted freshened-up.
Let me know if you have any questions. I wish you guys all the best.

Woooo Hoooooo!

It's wonderful to hear from you, Karen, and you sound so well, it's a relief!

When you are ready, will you let us see a picture? :)

Karen~

I am so glad to hear the procedure went well and you are so upbeat! I kind of know about that monster thing... not to the degree you are talking about but when I had sinus surgery... Ugh! I hated to see myself in the mirror! But you know you will look gorgeous soon!:)

I'm glad to hear that you're doing well. Let us see the before and after photos after it heals.

I'm too much of a sissy to have any invasive procedures done on me. If something can be done some day without any needles, knives, cutting, or burning, I'd probably consider having it done. Right now....I'd be too much of a chicken.:rolleyes: