My Modified Brow Lift, Fat Grafting to Cheeks and Radiance to Lips - Page 1

"Click on all images for the larger view*

I have always had semi-hooded eyes, sometimes referred to "bedroom" eyes; that heavier-than-normal-upper-lid that seems almost puffy.  In addition to this, the outer third of my brow was not as arched as I had always wanted it to be.  While there are many women who have this appearance who are considered attractive by society, I prefer a more arched, open eye sometimes referred to as an Angel Eye.  Think Angelina Jolie.  Since I am not yet ready for an upper blepharoplasty, and do want arched brows, I am opting for a temporal brow lift instead.

Another interesting note is that since I don't have much outer brow hair.  I pluck the ones I feel are too low and the leftovers are hardly noticeable.  I had been waiting for a brow lift so I could get micropigmentation (permanent eyebrows tattooed on).  Frankly, life without eyebrows isn't so hot, I assure you. 

At the ending of March, we were contacted via email by a production company hired by Discovery for a plastic surgery documentary to be featured on their network.  The documentary was to portray the rising trend in plastic surgery, the utter popularity and the socio-impact of cosmetic surgery in general.  They requested that patients who are considering surgery within the next month and who wouldn't mind being filmed throughout the entire surgical process, contact them for more information.  Well, I mentioned Marc and I were both planning on having extensive makeovers soon so they said they'd call us to discuss the details. 

Soon after, an assistant producer for the production company contacted us for more info.  They had asked what we were considering having done so I explained that I wanted a brow lift, fat grafting or Radiance to cheeks, an injectable filler for my lips, a Benelli (peri-areolar) breast lift with an upgrade to smaller, high profile breast implants, an areolae reduction and liposuction from my navel to my knees.  I then described Marc's desires as buccal fat pad removal (lower cheek removal), sub-mental liposuction (fat removal from under the chin and neck), jawline liposuction, and full torso lipo, with gynecomastia correction (male breast reduction).  They were very pleased by the line up and asked which doctors were we considering. 

Choosing My Surgeon

Dr. Rusca also has a state of the art, beautifully decorated, 20,000 square foot facility of his own with an onsite hospitality suite and everything imaginable.  We felt that the facility should definitely be documented, because it is incredible, plus it had the room, and aftercare facilities that we would need as well. Although we had decided on him to perform our surgeries without question, we hadn't asked him yet so we crossed our fingers and gave him a call.  Well, Dr. Rusca said YES!  YAY!!

Our Consultations
We flew to Atlanta a month before for our surgeries to get our physical examinations, paperwork out pf the way, discuss options, etc.  We got in super early and got our rental car and hotel, then had some breakfast at Waffle House which was close.  THEY HAVE GRITS HERE!!! I pigged on cheese grits, eggs, breakfast sausage and decaf coffee.  I am elated!!  I never get grits living on the West coast, and might I add that is probably a good thing.

After breakfast, we went to the store to check out where we would shop for food when we came back for surgery, grabbed some property magazines out of curiosity, grabbed an Easter gift for Dr. Rusca's office and headed over for our consults.  

We immediately recognized the building as it looks just like the artist's rendition I had always seen.  We walked in and were mesmerized by the sheer, size, decor and opulence. We walked in, a little early mind you, and spoke with Courtney, the front desk receptionist.  We then saw Dr. Rusca and Cecilia and were greeted by them.  Finally we meet!  After all these yeas, I was immediately comfortable around them.  We talked a little bit, I gave them the Easter gift and sat down and talked a bit about one another.

We then were brought to the examination rooms to hang out all the fat and parts to be reworked.  I discussed the desired procedures at length and had exactly the same ideas as Dr. Rusca.  Although I like bigger lips and cheeks than he does (he kids me about that) he said it was ME who had to be happy with the results and that he was the tool with which I could obtain that goal.  He suggested a modified b row lift would leave scars about 3 inches long in the scalp, behind the hair line and the skin, subq and galea would be lifted along with it.  He wanted to lift only the middle and outer third of the brow and leave the medial (middle, or inner) brow as it was.  He suggested fat grafting for my cheeks to create what he called an 'Ogee' curve [:A double curve with the shape of an elongated S.]  An ogee curve is a term used in sculpture that mimics an elongated S-shaped profile.  Imagine the back of the top curve of the S as your cheek. The middle of the S swinging inside as your buccal fat area and then below the buccal fat swings out to create the jaw line.  He also suggested Radiance for my lips to define the borders and augment the vermilion.  I am delighted!   The red depicts the projected incisions, and the blue where the fat will possibly be placed. We also decided to replace my McGhan moderate profile 68's (480cc) breast implants with the newer McGhan High Profile 68's (465cc overfilled to about 520cc)  for the rounder, yet narrower, more projected, BAM!!! I HAVE IMPLANTS! look that I have always wanted.  He suggested my areolae be reduced and a peri-areolar lift be performed resulting in areolae about 39mm in diameter.

He then prodded and poked all my fatty, dimpled areas and said he would do lipo from below the base of my ribs to right above my knees and we both agreed curves are nice and not to get rid of them.  No square, manly butt for me!

After our examinations we met with Michele, Dr. Rusca's patient coordinator (and a beauty!) to discuss all the odds and ends.  We were given all of our pre-surgical instructions, which included no drinking alcohol, no vitamin E or other oil supplements, no aspirin, etc, and were instructed to start taking Vicon-C three times a day.  We were also instructed to have preliminary lab work performed when we got back to Vegas and the results faxed to his office, which included HIV, Hepatitis B, a CBC (complete blood count), and Urin analysis. We were also told to cease working out two weeks pre-operative.  Which meant I was NOT wearing a bathing suit for Booba, not that it mattered since I couldn't get in too much shape in 4 weeks anyway, lol.  I'd rather be publicly flogged than caught wearing a bikini in my present physical state.

We went back to our hotel, took a nap and met Dr Rusca and Cecilia for fantastic Italian dinner later on that night.  Dr. Rusca and I both had veal ravioli.  I rarely have veal but I was in the mood for ravioli in a tomato cream sauce and it was the only ravs they had.  And it was gooooood.  Cecilia had light fare, I think Marc had something really good and we talked and talked about everything. We had to call it a night pretty early because Dr. Rusca had surgery in the morning.

The next day, we got up early and had some Waffle House again for breakfast and took off to the Phipps Plaza for a little Tiffany's fix.  That afternoon, we took off to meet a few of the girls...

Booba Luncheon in Atlanta

The Jumper On The Fair Street Bridge

After the luncheon we took off at about 5 PM to make our 8:30 PM flight back home.  While driving down the connector we noticed that there was traffic, no biggie as it was commute time.  Well, then I started noticing there were no cars coming from the opposite direction. I thought it must have been a really bad accident.  As traffic came to a complete halt and people started getting out of their cars, we turned on the news on an AM station, it turned out a guy was on the Fair Street Bridge overpass threatening to jump because of a domestic dispute.  We called Kim, who was in back of us about 1/2 a mile and Marty who was in front of us (but they let her through eventually).  So, an hour goes by, than another--we missed our flight--then another, and then 30 more minutes go by before they finally talked him down.  But of course, not until after they decided to turn half the freeway traffic in the opposite direction so now we had another problem!

Here are some pics of us trying to check the boards from the freeway.  We couldn't connect to the Internet because of so many people being on their phones.  In fact, everyone and their grandma was on their phone so we kept getting disconnected. 

So we finally got to the airport, we missed the last flight (along with everyone else). So they sent us to Red Roof Inn and gave us $50. off thankfully.   The room was nice, and we slept well, and caught a flight back the next morning.

Preparation In Las Vegas
What an ordeal, everyone and their grandmothers were sick at the laboratory.   Marc had come down with something as well but I stayed in the clear.  All of our tests were taken and I had the biggest bruise in the crook of my arm for almost 2 ½ weeks. Then the lab failed to fax Marc's HepB results to Dr. Rusca, so we had to fight with them on that and get I resent.  Speaking of tests, is it me or does anyone get nervous every time they have to take a score of tests like that?  Like I'm going to find out that I am dying or something.  I am paranoid about germs and disease so this freaks me out.

We ordered our post-surgical compression garments from Design Veronique, ordered our Vicon-C and arnica for our post-op supplements, Physicians Complex Bruise Cream, bought Pill sorters, pj's, everything you can imagine to prepare. We made reservations for our hotel, rental car, airline travel, and room accommodations (microwave, extra pillows, towels, blankets, etc.) We also made arrangements to have our cats watched, bought a new laptop and set it up so I could work from the road more easily.  I had to buy adaptors so I could get online via my phone (instead of Marc's) in case of an "emergency" on the site as well.  I called Lisa from the TT board, told her we'd be in that Monday and set up dinner with her and her hubby, Mike. I called Kim but she had a family emergency and I couldn't get in touch with Marty either.  We got in touch with Danielle and old friend of Marc's. They actually met through their Christian youth group, Campus Life, when he was a Christian missionary (bet you didn't know that about him!).  We hadn't seen her since we attended Billy Graham's grandson's wedding 6 years before.  So it was GREAT seeing her!  Incidentally, she had a rhinoplasty and breast reduction many years before so she is in fact a YTF girl, lol.  

I had to stop taking aspirin, Ibuprofen, vitamin E, no garlic supplements, no Echinacea if I got sick, and no alcohol (Marc doesn't drink at all, never has) which meant no cocktails at Boobapalooza for me. Not even a glass of wine, I asked.  Ugh!  I had to start applying my bruise cream to my areas to be treated as well.  All on top of planning Boobapalooza for 25 people!

Boobapalooza Viva Las Vegas 2004

Saturday - Las Vegas Review Journal Shoot & Official Boobapalooza Party

Sunday: Interview & Life Casting with Theresa from Personal Sculptures
Sunday our group did an interview with Discovery and with all the girls at a nearby pool (Thank You Royal Resort Hotel!) No other hotel would let us, as they usually only allow filming during the week at their pools, not on the weekends.

It is a fantastic idea and almost eerie to stare yourself in the face and see yourself without the hair color, make up and eye color to REALLY see how your face looks. It is amazing the identity you actually have with hair, eyes open and make up.  You don't truly get to see your facial features in photos or in a mirror.  With Life Casting, what you see is what you really look like to the rest of the world. I highly recommend doing this if you have the chance. However, you may feel like you look worse than you do.  Once you paint your postive it helps hide your flaws. And everyone has flaws.  BTW my postive got a little messaged up during removal (we were on a tight filming schedule and it takes a full hour to harden) so the right lower side of my face got distorted.  Theresa took it back to Ohio and fixed the nose holes and the distorted area.  I will post it on my Life Casting Journal soon. :)

Arrival Atlanta!! Monday - May 3, 2004
I can't believe how fast time has gone by.  It is finally happening!!  We got in really early and it was freezing in Atlanta.  I stepped off the plane fully expecting to feel the mugginess and warmth.  However, I was immediately met with chilling wind and goosebumps.  I was wearing a pair of cargos, a tank-top, and sandals--clearly Vegas gear.  People who lived in Atlanta had jackets on that morning.

We took the shuttle to pick up our rental car, which was upgraded for free because they were out of what we reserved. YAY!  We had an early check in at our hotel, Courtyard By Marriott (Glenridge/Perimeter Center) which is right near Dr Rusca's) and took a nap.  After we woke up, we went shopping for our supplies, including gauze, alcohol, ice and warm packs, footie socks (I love footie socks now!), Soup At Hand, Jell-O, instant grits, fruits, and other soft foods.  Also we had to buy scissors and tweezers because the airlines never let us bring them on in our carry-ons.  We also told the hotel to have a microwave, extra pillows and extra towels in our room by Friday when we would be returning for our recovery.

That night we met with Danielle and ate at Vortex, which is the coolest little hamburger place in Atlanta.  Great fish and chips, too.  I highly recommend it. I had artichoke dip, french-fries, fried fish and lemonade because, after all I was getting lipo in two days and had to have my last splurge.

Our Pre-op Appointment
We got up early and left for Dr Rusca's about 8 am (although we were told 9:30 by the film crew), and they were already filming so we started early as well.  We were filmed driving up and walking in a few times and greeting the staff and our health/physical exams, then filmed our cosmetic physical exams, nekkid!  Although I had YTF panties on, then filmed our consults again to be sure we had all of our questions answers.  We then took our pre-op photos, and the tour of the facility so we knew where we were staying.  The hospitality suite is highly secure and reminds me of a French Bed and Breakfast Inn in Provence, but with security entry cards that you need to open the doors .

Also, we tried on our compression garments, Marc's fit perfectly but I had problems with mine being too tight, I was fatter than I thought.  I measured correctly but I was NOT a medium by any means, very depressing.  But I kept saying to myself, "Don't be sad, you get it all sucked out tomorrow!"  Michele, Dr. Rusca's Patient coordinator, called Richard from Design Veronique to get a larger size, which got sent but only the second stage garment so I got stuffed into the medium after surgery.

Pre-op Shopping- Again.
My surgery was in the morn so Dr Rusca prescribed our meds to we went and picked them up: Keflex (antibiotic), Lortab (pain med), Ativan (anti-anxiety), Prednisone (glucocorticoid, anti-inflammatory), Zofran (nausea meds), more footie socks, small tooth brushes, tampons (what are the odds??) and other items of necessity.  Plus a box of vinyl gloves, soft foods for each of us for the recovery suite. 

We then went back to the hotel, I primped and went to the producers room to film our pre-op interview with Discovery and some B-roll while surfing the boards. 

We then had our last (but early) 'bad' meal with Howard (cameraman), Percy (soundman) and Lisa and her hubby, Mike.  By the way, the crew including Jaime, the producer, was absolutely fantastic.  I have never worked with such a great bunch.  We rarely had to take more than 2 takes, Howard and Percy were very professional, respectful and pleasant to be around.  We really like them a lot!!  In fact, we may borrow them for some productions of our own, lol.

Return to the Patient Journal Index

Yes They're Fake! Plastic Surgery Patient Education & Support Network
Copyright © 1999-2006 Enhancement Media, All rights reserved.
Please read our Usage Agreement 
This page was last updated: 04/04/2006