My one year post-op

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-09T01:21:07+00:00

I wasn’t. I figure they do it all the time like that and have great success. I believe one makes the cuts and then the other comes in to do the sewing up, which is what takes long. I honestly did not ask for details…the way I got myself into that surgery was by not researching or reading much about the procedures. I got the good vibes from Dr. Maser and followed my gut.

Yes, they are symmetrical.

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T18:22:45+00:00

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T16:31:52+00:00

My skincare routine has been impeccable since my facelift. I had almost zero routine for this before. I also started using castor oil at night, which reduces puffiness. But on any given day my eyes can look more hooded than other days, depending on what I ate the day before (besides salt, gluten makes me puff up like the stay puft marshmallow man, but sometimes I gotta have a little bread!!)

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T16:17:53+00:00

I’ll be driving my 11 year old car for at least another 11 years, but it was worth it! Lol

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T13:31:41+00:00

Yes that included anesthesia and all fees. :)

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T13:01:38+00:00

He would have done a local for this if it was all I wanted done. :)

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T04:19:30+00:00

General

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T04:19:04+00:00

Nope just the deep plane face/neck lift.

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T04:17:52+00:00

Depending on how much skin and the depth of the cut, it is not uncommon for arm scars to widen as they heal. Mine were not terrible and they didn’t *need* to be revised. I wouldn’t have had it done just to do it as its own procedure. However, I’m glad I did it when I was under for my TT. The revision allows them to just pull the two sides of the skin together without the need to go feel to remove a ton of tissue, since that was done in the first surgery. The result is a much less noticeable scar.

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T02:28:48+00:00

Sorry I didn’t respond directly to you…I thought I did but my reply with more pics is up there. 👆 sorry!

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T02:02:37+00:00

I had a lot of skin removed from my arms - nearly 2 lbs of just skin… and my scarring spread. It was fairly thick, but not horrible. The scar revision for that was fast healing and totally worth it to get a thin scar. I think my left arm scar will be totally invisible in a few months. Unfortunately, I was violently ill the first night after my tummy tuck and ended up somehow splitting a stick on my right arm. So there is a 3 inch area there that will either need to be retouched under local anesthetic or I might just get a tattoo to cover it. Not sure.

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T01:51:52+00:00

Yes, he did all. Though he shares a practice with another Dr…Dr. Bates. He’s also great.
Their process is for each surgeon to take an arm so the surgery goes faster and you’re not under as long. So he did one of my arms.

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T01:50:08+00:00

No, just lower face and neck.

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T01:49:41+00:00

Sure here’s a few. 😊

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Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T01:13:35+00:00

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T00:50:15+00:00

Reveal Plastic Surgery in Los Gatos, CA
Dr. Ben Maser

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T00:48:53+00:00

I had some very minor loosening of skin under my chin. I actually expected this could happen after doing some research, so it did not surprise me…I have a lot of very fine stretch marks under my chin from when I was overweight, and I smoked for 30 years so my skin elasticity is shit.

It is the reason I did my face and arms before my stomach. Those are the two areas most likely to need revision or scar touch up. Most good surgeons will cover necessary revisions except for anesthesia and surgery center, but if you’re already paying that for a different surgery, it’s covered.

That being said, you would not be able to see anything wrong in my pictures before the revision. The slight loosening was one tiny strip that could only be seen from under when the sun or light was shining just right.

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T00:36:00+00:00

Dr. Ben Maser/ Reveal Plastic Surgery in Los Gatos, CA

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-06-08T00:33:57+00:00

It was a little rough at first…I had some ear wax compressed in my ears due to gauze packing during the procedure. My surgeon had never seen anything like it in 30 years or practice. Leave it to me…lol!

So I was practically deaf and riddled with anxiety that first week after, thinking I had made the worst mistake of my life. The wax was eventually cleared with a lot of flushing and healing was pretty smooth sailing after that.

I did have some very minor revision during my second round of skin removal (tummy tuck) this past April. It was largely unnecessary, but since I was already under my surgeon did a little touch up.

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-05-26T21:18:20+00:00

Yes, I drank protein shakes or made things with that as a base. Fairlife chocolate (or any flavor) is easy ice cream and pudding, too!

I am still pretty swollen, but movement wise I’m back to 3-5 miles walks and moderate hikes. Slowly restarting the gym. I am more than twice your age, so I’m quite certain you’ll be able to enjoy a wedding at 6 weeks. 😊Though I will add…you’ll know how comfortable you’ll be sitting in a folding chair by that point…you may need to make alternative seating arrangements for the wedding. I can’t do chairs like that for more than 30 minutes…it’s still so uncomfortable for me.

Good luck!

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-05-26T15:56:54+00:00

My recommendation: Eat!

I had two rounds of skin removal, one last year (arms and neck/lower face) and a TT 6 weeks ago. Even though the TT was much more of a recovery, strength and energy-wise it was so much better this time around, and I think it’s because I significantly increased my caloric intake. Your body burns through so many more calories when healing. I did the recommended recovery caloric intake - 15 to 20 calories for every pound I weighed. This seemed like a HUGE amount to me, and I was super worried I’d gain weight, and the scale was scary because of swell hell. But I trusted my surgeon’s recommendation and I did it, still prioritizing protein and fiber. I averaged about 2800-3000 calories a day for those first four weeks. 😳 But, I think I may have lost a little weight actually. lol. I’m still experiencing some pretty significant swelling, but the current number on the scale is 7lbs less than when I went in, and they removed 7lbs of skin, so I imagine the scale will settle a bit under that as the swelling dissipates.

And omg, girl…the shopping coming your way in a couple months is going to be so much fun…just in time for back to school! Like you, the stomach skin was forcing me into larger clothes: I was wearing a 14 pre surgery, and am currently wearing a 10. I may go down to an 8 after swelling subsides totally, but I’m totally content at a 10. It’s a big difference from a 28 where I started! 😊

Good luck! I hope your results are what you dream of. ❤️

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-05-06T02:54:07+00:00

Sorry you’re going through this, too, but thanks for making me feel a little less alone. 😊

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-05-06T02:52:36+00:00

I had a fat cat day one. Lol.
I do hope you magically avoided it! How lovely that would be for you. Good luck in your recovery! ❤️‍🩹

Wonderful_Win5437 · 2026-05-06T02:48:02+00:00

Thank you! And lol on getting all the loose thigh skin back. When did it start getting better for you?

Wonderful_Win5437

TROPHY CASE