Face Lift Diary
I knew I would never be able to grow old gracefully, so I've been saving money in my "face lift jar" for years so I could have a face lift when I wanted one. Notice I didn't say when I "needed" one, rather—when I wanted one. I want one before I need it because I don't want a drastic change in how I look. I don't want to look like they had to pull my skin so far that my belly button is on my chin. I also think that at a certain age, I wouldn't be able to enjoy having one. Say, in my 60's. In my 60's there would be other things that would age me so that the face lift would just be a band-aid on a broken down hag. I didn't want that either.
For the last several years my neck is starting to look my age. Face-on I look fine, my profile is where I look old. For the last 6 months my profile has really bothered me—especially when I get my hair cut and Tran gives me the hand mirror to look at my hair. All I can see is "turkey neck." So I think the time has come.
The picture above is about 9 months prior to my face lift. The photo is not "doctored" and most people say a good represenation of what I look like.
So, for all of you women out there considering a face lift, I hope you will follow along as I go through this process. If you have questions you want me to ask the doctor while I'm asking mine, fire them in here and I'll get them answered.
The first step in any elective surgery is to find a great doctor. Especially in the case of your face. I have found two— Dr. A and Dr. B. Both of these doctors were recommended to me by the guys next door to my office. The guys next door sell anti-aging products only to physicians and dermatologists. So I trust that they know something about who they sell to. BTW - I love their anti-aging products, but that's another story. :)
So yesterday I made an appointment with Dr. A. I stopped by the office to make the appointment, and they gave me an information packet to read and fill out and bring with me to my appointment Wed. Jul 18th. They told me to make a list of my questions and bring them with me on Wed. As I was leaving I noticed a sign on the counter offering a 25% discount on boob jobs (Regularly $4400 now $3300). BIG RED FLAG! Why would a doctor have to offer a discount for his services?
Last night I got out the packet and started going through it. Several things disturbed me. Maybe I'm putting too much emphasis on them, but they jumped out at me. The first thing I noticed was a flier to "Receive up to $100 in American Express Gift Checques" for referring a friend. Then another flier for "Patient Referral Reward Program." There is a grand prize for the "Champion" referral source. TWO MORE RED FLAGS. Why is he paying for referrals?
The next sheet I read was the Deposit/Cancellation Policy–this sheet explains that there are two payments, one for the surgeon and one for the Operating Room/Anesthesiologist fee. One of the paragraphs on this sheet was repeated (typo). ANOTHER RED FLAG! The doctor doesn't pay attention to details? hmmmm
Not looking good so far for Dr. A. But, I'm going to keep the appointment on the 18th to see what he has to offer. Which brings up another thing. I had to pay a non-refundable $50 on the spot when I made the appointment "to prevent no-shows." I really didn't like this—why is he afraid I won't show? Keep reading.
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