Every procedure on RealSelf is accompanied by a Worth It Rating, a unique consumer-satisfaction score indicating the proportion of actual patients with first-hand experience who deemed the procedure “Worth It.” This narrative is part of the 2024 Most Worth It campaign to assist you in making intelligent and confident cosmetic choices.
Tricia McCall, a 48-year-old woman residing in Orange County, California, underwent a lower facelift in July 2024, achieving remarkable outcomes. This is her account, as shared with Melanie Rud, modified for length and clarity.
I detected the alterations in my neck and lower face quite abruptly; it felt as if my neck declined completely overnight. It occurred extremely rapidly, within a span of approximately six months, at the beginning of 2024. I've wrestled with body dysmorphia since my early years and seldom glance in the mirror. But whenever I did, all I could notice were my jowls and sagging neck. I also lost my job during the pandemic and was certain that there was no way I could present myself for job interviews in that condition.
I initiated the exploration of my treatment alternatives and promptly recognized that I wasn't a suitable candidate for Kybella. I eliminated the option of a thread lift when I discovered that the results weren't long-lasting. This left a lower facelift as the sole solution. Given my body dysmorphia [BD], there's a delicate balance when it comes to surgeries, and I was aware that many plastic surgeons wouldn't even consider operating on a patient with BD. I began investigating doctors, following them on Instagram, perusing reviews on RealSelf, and obtaining referrals from friends who had undergone lower facelifts. Eventually, I narrowed it down to Dr. Raymond E. Lee [a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California] and another doctor, and I scheduled virtual consultations with both.
What drew me to Dr. Lee was his and everyone in his office's comprehension of my body dysmorphia. They had requested that I send photos of myself, but that was overly challenging for me, so he consented to have a video call instead. He also took the time to communicate with my psychiatrist regarding my BD, and when I inquired about potentially undertaking other procedures simultaneously, he stated that he would only perform the lower facelift. It made me feel assured that he truly comprehended my situation, cared about me as a patient, and wasn't merely after my money.
I did inform some friends and family – my husband and children, my mother, and my closest friend – about the surgery in advance, but due to my BD, I was apprehensive that they'd tell me I was insane. So when I disclosed it to anyone, I essentially insisted and told them they had to support my decision. To be fair, they didn't truly understand how poor the condition of my neck and lower face was. I precisely knew how to position my face and neck to make them appear better, and I rarely permitted photos to be taken of me. The night before the surgery, I finally showed my mother how everything truly looked and asked her to rate the severity on a scale of 1 to 10. She concurred with me that it was a 10.
My lower facelift recovery and results
I underwent the surgery on July 29, 2024. The recovery, truly, was very straightforward for me. The most challenging aspect was having a headache for two days after, which I believe was because I wasn't permitted to consume caffeine. I had my drains removed the day after the surgery and took the prescribed pain medication for only one day. I took Tylenol for another four days and had my stitches removed on the seventh day. Two weeks following the surgery, I resumed all my regular activities.
I would undergo the surgery again without hesitation, both because of the effortless recovery and the final outcome. For anyone contemplating a lower facelift, I'd suggest: conduct your research, speak to other women who have undergone it, and ensure you find a reputable surgeon who will be honest with you.
Dr. Lee did an excellent job, and I'm extremely satisfied with the result. However, due to my BD, it's difficult for me to believe that I truly look this great. Even when I see the before and after photos of myself, I have to ask my husband and children if I really look like that in reality. But while I still grapple with body dysmorphia, my self-confidence has significantly improved.
