Diary of a Facelift...... SW

A few weeks ago, when the sun made an early appearance, I awoke with an overwhelming determination that I was not going to spend another summer hiding behind sunglasses and chiffon scarves to cover my tired looking eyes and turkey neck.

It was strange how once these seeds of change had been planted in my mind, all nerves subsided and a really positive attitude set in - I just knew right then and there that surgery was the right choice for me.

On mt GP's recommendation I put myself in the expert hands of Mr Manu Sood, at the Essex Nuffield Hospital, who thoroughly explained the procedures that would benefit me, and answered any questions that I had

So I booked myself in for a neck, cheek/jowl lift, together with an endoscopic brow lift.

Wednesday 20th May

Day of surgery - still feeling calm and positive. After a visit from the anaesthetist, who explained what would be happening, Mr Sood arrived and proceeded merrily to draw all over my face and neck with what looked like a black marker pen. I looked a sight but, hey, I wasn't going anywhere, and he did seem to know what he was doing. Went calmly into theatre at about 11 o,clock and woke up at 4.06 feeling fine - well with a bit of a headache, not bad enough for painkillers though, thought this was only to be expected after the brow lift. Returned to the room at about 5 o,clock, still feeling fine but just a bit jet-lagged, with my head wrapped in bandages. This was not uncomfortable but just a bit hot, a small price to pay for the miracles that were taking place beneath. Had a comfortable but sleepless night, without the need for any painkillers, I figured I had been asleep for most of the day anyway so just relaxed and watched TV.

Thursday 21st May

Had breakfast and took two ibuprofen painkillers which wiped out any remains of the headache. Mr Sood popped in, and after assessing that all was well, told me I could go home. After having the drains removed from the wounds behind my ears, the nurse helped me to take a shower and wash my hair - yes, wash my hair. Well I really thought that I would have had to wait for a few days so had not brought any shampoo. Washed hair with shower gel - felt just a good. Packed my bag, feeling a bit wobbly, only to be expected after the anaesthetic, and headed home with strict instructions to rest and to wear the supplied support bandage at all times. Once home had a snooze, and later a meal - soft food only for the first few days as face feels a bit tight - but surely that is the point!!!

Friday 22nd May

Lazy day - books, TV, all those little luxuries. Feeling fine but a bit grumpy with the support bandage, it's not painfull, just a bit tight, but very necessary. Slight swelling on my face and lips, and bruising on my neck, but this I am assured is normal.

Saturday 23rd May

Back to Nuffield to have stitches removed from front of my ears (cheek/jowl lift)  All other stitches behind my ears and in hairline on forehead will dissolve in time.

Sunday 24th May

Managed to wash my hair very carefully, all was fine. Feel I have taken another step forward today.

Monday 25th May

Result, able to clean my teeth properly, have been using mouthwash only up till now, as face still a bit tight and very wary of opening mouth too wide, but today it was ok.

Tuesday 26th May

Neck still bruised but facial swellling seems to have gone down a bit. Did a few 'light' chores, nothing too strenuous, not because I can't but because I mustn,t.

Wednesday 27th May

Can;t believe it has been a week since the op. Swelling gone from face and lips now but neck still bruised. I feel somehow that I have been short changed, what is that saying "no pain no gain", well when I look in the mirror (this has become my new hobby) I can cerrtainly see the gain, but as for the pain, well I'm still waiting.....,.

Thursday 28th May

Appointment to see Mr Sood. The wounds are healing well and he is delighted with the results, but not, in any way shape or form, as utterly and completely delighted as I am.

So for anyone contemplating surgery - you will just know when the time is right for you, take that step forward, you will never look back.