You Look Marvelous?
So I'll let you in on my mom's not so secret secret. She had a mini…facelift. At age 77.
I'm calling it not so secret because she didn't want me to tell anyone then turned around and yacked about it to everyone within 5 mile radius earshot. Thus, not so secret.
Let me give you the big picture before I proceed with my post. My mom is widowed (almost 11 years now), has the money to do it, and in my own personal opinion already a beautiful woman. So when she first told me what she was going to do a few weeks before Christmas, I kind of…freaked.
I don't know. Maybe I'm a worry wort but all I could see in my mind was some sort of botched Michael Jackson/Kenny Rogers/Joan Rivers kind of facial surgery. And I wanted my mom to look like my mom. And I didn't want her regretting what she had done. And I get a little squeamish when I think about all that pulled skin and cutting and… (well, you get the gist)
So I admit, I tried to talk her out of it. But then she told me something. She said, "Jenn, I know I'm old but I look in the mirror and see all these wrinkles and I want to cry." *sigh* Ok, that got to me and I could TOTALLY understand her reasons. If she wanted to feel good about herself then why not.
Then after I checked the guy out and she got the stamp of approval from her primary physician, I felt good about it.
I took her to the doctor. It was an outpatient procedure–about 2 hours. (4 hours total because they couldn't start the procedure right away because my mom's blood pressure was through the roof she was so nervous) Basically, they did a mini lift on each cheek and did a little liposuction under the chin. (Sorry, but even typing this is making me weak)
She got it done a few weeks before Christmas and looked pretty good on Christmas Eve and for the holidays despite the swelling. All her stitches are out now but she is still tender where they cut by her ears and behind them. So don't think it's all glamorous. There's a lot of recovery involved even in something as minor as her surgery was.
I saw her the other day and I have to say she looks really good. Still looks like my mom (thank goodness!!), still has wrinkles, and looks her age but…better. I told her she looks like early 60's. She was thrilled because she was looking for age 70. 
Anyhew, this doctor is pretty young (and single, ladies), so all my friends want his card so they can go to him in 20 years. LOL
For me, I'm sticking with extra sunscreen. Still not so sure I would want to go that route later in life.
What about you? Would you do Botox or have any cosmetic surgery? Is there an age limit to when you would have it done? How would you feel if your mom wanted to do it?
Wow, brave mom! I'm not anti-surgery but for me…I don't think I could do it. I'm glad things went smoothly for her though.
And good for you for helping her out despite the squeamishness. LOL
Jessica(Quote) (Reply)
She was such a mess before the surgery that I can't believe she had gotten as far as she did with it. But then after the surgery, she was like, "Wow, it wasn't that bad." LOL
Jennifer(Quote) (Reply)
I'd do it in a heartbeat. In fact, I plan to. Why not if you can afford it?
Kristen Painter(Quote) (Reply)
I'm definitely not a botox girl – I hate that fake, plastic look of people that can't really show facial expressions anymore. I've never been a sun worshipper, and have always believed heavily in hats and sunscreen – but when the time comes 20 years from now, I think I might consider it (if I don't like what I see when I look in the mirror.)
Debora(Quote) (Reply)
My husband's grandma had a facial surgery when she was fairly old because there was so much wrinkling, skin was blocking her eyesight. But while she was in there, they didn't a few extra…lifts.
Still…I'm with Jenn the whole idea of cutting and pulling. Ick. I guess I'll just settle for looking old!!
Linda Kage(Quote) (Reply)
I wouldn't have surgery or Botox, but I don't begrudge anyone who does. For me, it's products at the drugstore and sunscreen!
Theresa Milstein(Quote) (Reply)
I say, Good for your mom to treat herself. So many mom's don't allow themselves to do things that make them feel great, being uncomfortable with self care because they've been caring for children for years. Would I get a face-lift? I'll have to say no right now, but you never know how I'll feel when I'm 77 yrs. old.
lynn(Quote) (Reply)
I'm not big on any cutting or tucking that doesn't have to be done, but on the other hand I'm beginning to notice every wrinkle. It would be so tempting to do someday, but I'm hoping I'll just look at the wrinkles and see a life well lived…that's my hope anyway
Kara(Quote) (Reply)
Bravo! Good for your mom. She did it for all the right reasons and I don't blame her in the least.
Would I do it? I kind of doubt it but only on account I seem to be having surgeries for too many other things. I don't want to get cut on anymore. LOL.
I'm glad you checked the doc out. You're a good daughter.
Maria Zannini(Quote) (Reply)
Kudos to your mom for following her heart with this. I guess that's what's important here, to know what we want and find the best way to obtain it. I don't think I'd go through the procedure, but respect others' decisions and reasons for doing so!
Joanne(Quote) (Reply)
I use SPF 100 under my make up – my little way up slowing down the aging process. we'll see in twenty years if it worked.
Erin Kern(Quote) (Reply)
I am BIG on sunscreen. In fact, my hubby says when I go outside the sun shudders and hides. LOL! (But at age 40, I don't have wrinkles…yet, anyway.)
Kristen: what could you possibly want done? You're gorgeous.
Jennifer(Quote) (Reply)
I get kind of queasy at the thought of any surgery, so I doubt I'll ever go for something elective. But I'm a firm believer in to each her own, and if this has made your mom feel better about herself, more power to her.
Linda G.(Quote) (Reply)
Good for your mom. She deserves it. If someone has the money and chooses this, more power to them. Although, I have a grandmother who is addicted. That's when it becomes dangerous. I mean, she's had EVERYTHING done, three or four times. Yikes.
Ciara Knight(Quote) (Reply)
I've always believed in "each to their own". I'm an ordinary mum of two, a nurse, 37 and I've had a boob job and some botox. Hated my flat chest since I was teenager, went through two pregnancies living in hope to get a set of boobs and it never happened. Researched boobs to death and then went around 10 places before I settled. Honestly, best thing I've ever done and I've never regretted it for a minute. I finally feel as if I'm in proportion 34C (not exactly big) but clothes look better on me now!
As for the botox, girl at work started doing it as she tried to get some for her wedding but couldn't find anyone suitably trained. Noticed a big difference in her and thought I would try. I'm a pale skinned girl who's never been out without sunscreen but had big, big wrinkles in my forehead which are now gone. And, yes, my face still moves. Its all about the skill of the practitioner.
Have a really awful stomach too, but I'm just going to keep it as the type of surgery for that I consider too major to undergo for cosmetic reasons.
Good luck to everyone!
susan wilson(Quote) (Reply)
I think everyone has their "one thing." Something to make them happy. I get nervous for people that have their one thing and it turns into 20!
)
Diane(Quote) (Reply)
Susan: Thanks for sharing! I know 4 of my neighbors had boob jobs (one was a reduction). All but one look natural and great.
And good to know about the Botox. That's the thing with anything, you have do your research and get a skilled doctor.
Jennifer(Quote) (Reply)
I never thought I'd want plastic surgery but after having twins a tummy tuck would be nice to get rid of all that extra skin.
I wouldn't do it though. Too much recovery time. C-sections were bad enough.
I agree, to each her own. Do what makes you happy.
Joselyn Vaughn(Quote) (Reply)
Thank you for sharing this story, Jennifer! I loved it, and your mom! She's certainly courageous…even if I want plastic surgery later in life, I'm too scared to try it! Needles??? Ick.
Kristi(Quote) (Reply)
Bravo, to your mom! I think it's great that she did something for herself that made her feel good. Personally, I look young for my age and I admit to a degree I enjoy that but i've always wanted to look older. I know someday I'll regret that and i am started to feel old at times when talking with those younger than me but i still enjoy looking any older than i did before. So, call me crazy, but I wouldn't try any of the above and i have a feeling i might always feel that way. I also have a certain respect for surgery that most people might not have, because i have seen some of the complications.
Kristina(Quote) (Reply)
That's awesome! I think the problem with Hollywood is they have facelift after facelift, plus botox, eyelifts, etc. There's only so much you can do before you start looking fake but one little mini-facelift is just enough to young things up a little!
Stephanie Faris(Quote) (Reply)
I wouldn't do Botox, that whole face freeze thing isn't me.
But my sister in law had some done and she looked great. It wasn't anything obvious, but just tightened the skin a bit.
Personally, if I had the money, I'd get a bit of a lift. My eyes, for sure. The saggy jowls, for sure. If any were left over… a nose job lol. (I HATE my nose)
What I wouldn't do is go for something that makes me look not my age. But a bit of a nip and tuck? Yeah. I'd do it. (After checking out the doctor to the n'th degree!)
What I wouldn't do is have a boob job. But… if I could (and after all the tests and stuff I know I can't, because of how deep it is, and where it is) I would have my scar removed. In a heartbeat.
Unfortunately, that's not an option.
Silke(Quote) (Reply)
I might do eyelid surgery sometime in the future, especially if I have the very droopy lids later like my mom had. I think it's great your mom went ahead and had the surgery. Glad she's happy with the outcome. I regret not having nose surgery when I was younger.
Diane Craver(Quote) (Reply)