Live, laugh, love.... LIFT!

So... it's pretty hard on a woman's self esteem when her husband looks younger and better than she does!   Unfortunately or fortunately for me, (whichever way you choose to look at it,) I am one of those women!   More than once, a person who has met us for the first time, has assumed that I am his MOTHER!   Talk about an ego crusher!!

 This is one young looking 60 year old!

When we were living in Guadalajara a few years ago, we were out looking at new cars.   As we stood looking at a beautiful new car, a salesman walked out to talk to us.   Frank introduced himself to the salesman (sort of ignoring me,) and they walked around the car lot looking at different cars.   After a while, the salesman turned to Frank and asked him,  "Well, Mr. Hatch, which one does your MOTHER like?"   That was the straw that broke the camel's back!  I had heard enough of the "mother" business and I rudely said to the salesman,  "Forget about a new car!  I am going to take my money and get a face lift!"   Then I turned around and stormed off.

Then quite a while later, we were in the bedroom one morning, getting ready to go to the temple.  The TV was on, and that commercial with Debbie Boon singing "You light up my life!" came on.  For those who don't know, it is a commercial about a "Lifestyle Lift" which I assume is a face lift.   Frank turned to me and asked,  "Would you like to do that?"

At first I was a little offended by his offer.... even though I have wished I could do something to make myself look young.   I didn't know if he would want to spend money on something like that.   A lot of people have strong opinions about cosmetic surgery, and not knowing what it might cost, I had never REALLY talked to him about the possibility.

A few months later, we were on a flight from Salt Lake City back to El Paso, Texas, when Frank showed me the cover of one of the magazines tucked in the pouch in front of him.

He pointed out to me that one of the BEST plastic surgeons in the USA is in Tucson, Arizona.   Yep, that's her on the cover!    I read the article and "took" the magazine with me when I deplaned!

When I got home, I called Dr. Maxwell's office to make an appointment for a consultation.   I got an appointment for about three months later!   This lady is one busy girl, and in high demand, I imagine! She also has beautiful facilities and the surgical center right there!!

August finally rolled around and Frank and I headed to Tucson for my visit with Dr. Maxwell.   When Frank met the doctor, he was impressed!   This beautiful lady is close to my age and she looks great!   I had checked her website and seen that she had had a face lift a while back... had looked at her progress pictures.   But, I had never seen the end result!   When I saw her, I thought to myself,  "I'm in!!!"   We had a wonderful visit with Dr. Maxwell.   She is a very warm and friendly person.  Frank surprised both me and her, when he asked,  "Can you make her look like you?"   Then Dr. Maxwell said,  "That all depends on what you will let me do to her."   Long story short... we went for everything she recommended!

Face Lift-lower-face
Laser resurfacing with face lift... full face
Blepharoplasty-upper and lower eyelids
and fat injections.

After deciding to "go for it!" I was whisked away for some "before" pictures!

 

Dr. Maxwell talked to me a lot about what would be done during the surgery and what to expect.   She told me...  "You won't want to do anything but cry for the first five days!"  I smugly thought,  "How bad can it be?"   LOL!   The surgery date was set for October 1st, 2013.

After filling out lots of paperwork,  signing my name to all kinds of possible things that could go wrong, and having blood work done and an EKG to make sure I was healthy enough for surgery and arranging with my daughter in law, Laura, to be my nurse during my two week recovery in Tucson  I was good to go!   How hardy it was for me to have a son that lives right there in Tucson!

Surgery date came and I was "cool as a cucumber!"   Seriously, I had not even a twinge of anxiety!  I checked in and sat there laughing and joking with Dr. Maxwell as she drew all over my face!

An IV was inserted into my arm and the next thing I knew I woke up looking like this!

 

It was a L O N G night in the recovery room!   My poor nurse didn't get any sleep because I kept setting off the beeper every few minutes!   She kept telling me to take some deep breaths and then the beeper would shut off, only to go off a again a few minutes later.   A special type of burn tape was placed over my newly laser resurfaced (burned)  face to help the healing process and prevent scaring.

This girl was a trooper and made sure I had all the drugs I needed to be reasonably confortable!

 

Dr. Maxwell had suggested that I rent this cooling mask to help with the pain management.  Boy, oh boy, was I thankful for this mask.   You know how when you burn yourself, the best relief is to put the burned area into cold water.   Well, that's what this mask did.  It circulated cool water through it to help cool down the burn on my face!   Well worth every penny we paid to rent it!

I got to go home, to Brandon's house and my AMAZING nurse, Laura, the next morning.   It was a rough week for me but Laura did everything in her power to help me be comfortable and manage my pain.  Frank also surprised me with his tenderness towards me!   He really stepped up to the plate and helped take good care of me!

The following are some pictures of my progress as the weeks went by....

 

 One of the most painful things for me was that the outer edges of my eyes were sewn shut.   Dr. Maxwell said that was to retrain the eyelid muscles.   These lovely pouches had to be drained a couple of times a day.   Poor Laura!!

2 weeks

3 weeks

I might explain here, that the bruise on my cheek is not from the surgery!   I got up during the night a couple of days after the surgery and was trying to find my way to the bathroom in a drugged state in the dark and ran into a wall!   I just slumped down to the floor and cried it hurt so bad!

1 month

 1 month...WITH MAKE-UP!

THANK YOU, Rachelle, for helping me with my makeup!!   My first public appearance after surgery.

Before and after pictures at my one month out doctor visit.

                    October 1st,  2013                                                   February 13th, 2014

     I had my last check up with Dr. Maxwell on January 9th.   She was so cute!   She said to me.... "You know how when someone builds a house they go through the house just before closing and put little  pieces of blue tape wherever something needs to be touched up?"
     I said,  "Yeah?"
     Then she said, "Well, there are a couple of little things I would like to "touch up" about your face lift, if you will let me."
    Then I asked,  "How much will it cost?" 
    She said,  "Nothing.   I like my work to be the best I can do!"  
   And so I am scheduled in April to have a couple of little things "touched up."    I won't tell you what they are but.... stay tuned for follow up pictures!

I just want to say that my experience with Dr. Maxwell and those who work with her has been nothing but positive!   The staff is so kind, friendly and helpfull!!   I loved every single person who had anything to do with my surgical experience.   The facilities are top notch and beautiful!   One time Frank and I forgot to take into account the time difference between Mexico and Arizona and we arrived at my appointment a whole hour early.   No problem.   They took me in within 10 minutes after my arrival an hour early!   When has that ever happened to you?   NEVER!    And so, if you are considering any kind of plastic surgery let me recommend  Maxwell Aesthetics to you and Dr. Gwen Maxwell!   Call me for their phone number!
LOVE YOU, Dr. Maxwell!   Thank you for a wonderful experience!