Modified Brow Lift, Fat Grafting to Cheeks and Radiance to Lips

My Modified Brow Lift, Fat Grafting to Cheeks and Radiance to Lips - Page 2

"Click on all images for the larger view*

Surgery Day!! May 5, 2004
WOO HOO!!! It's very early though, in fact it's dark out it's so early. I don't do early. But for surgery I make exceptions!! It's kind of like, "I break for Plastic Surgery." I think I will make a bumper sticker for that, lol.

Here I am walking in my lucky surgery PJ's (how bad is it that I even have lucky plastic surgery pj's??) looking nothing short of scary without make up and groggy! I am thrilled to finally be getting my surgeries!! I am so excited I feel as though I am on a high. I have always wanted fake-looking, round boobies and here I am about to get me some, not to mention get my fat sucked out and put in my face! lol! Plus my brows will be arched and I can finally get them tattooed on. How glorious will it be to wake up with brows? Girls, don't ever take your eyebrows for granted. And Lips! I love me some lips. All this is going to occur in the next 7.5 hours!

The drive to Dr. Rusca's office was not very far away and for some reason, this time period is hazy to me. I remember being so excited and ready to jump in, but the details have faded. I remember getting there and meeting everyone again and talking to the film crew who was already there. I was then told to change into my robe. I got a cloth robe this time, YAY! Although my fat butt was hanging out for everyone to see. But alas, I will not have a fat butt any longer!!!

Anesthesia Preparation (IV) With Donald S. McLeod, MD
I met with Dr. McLeod, who is an anesthesiologist M.D. Dr. McLeod is board certified in anesthesiology and considered to be at the top of his game. We discussed the anesthesia and how I was and if I was nervous. I said yes, because I had never had General before. He told me I would have LMA (laryngeal mask airway) which is pretty new (1983) and less harsh on the throat. It had been determined that I had a big enough mouth the day before, lol!! (BTW it looks like vagina, I swear. I know a few nurses who call it that when patients aren't listening. I am not being crass, just very honest.)

So Dr. McCleod begins my IV and I tell him, "Don't hurt me." He didn't comment so I am assuming he planned on it. Just kidding! It barely stung. He started my saline and all was good. He would be adding something to relax and pretty much fall fast asleep so they could intubate me without discomfort or feeling as though I were choking. They also placed adhesive contact pads on my body so they could get a base heart rate and be able to monitor my heart rate during surgery.

If you click the pic for a larger image you will see I am concentrating very hard on Dr. McLeod's face. I may have been loopy but I don't think he had given me anything yet. Sonya, Dr. Rusca's nurse, can be seen on the left. I was ready to go!!

Talking To Dr. Rusca Before Surgery

Dr. Rusca came in to talk a bit more about the surgery, answer any last questions, and was filmed during all of this. He is such a fabulous surgeon, very professional, very skilled, yet fatherly at the same time so you feel really comfortable with him. I never felt nervous once about his ability or demeanor. The only nervous excitement I had was anticipation and concerns about going under General.

If you click on the pic to the left you will see the adoration and respect in my eyes :) I was so happy to finally be able to have the body and face of my dreams just at my fingertips!! I am absolutely at ease knowing Dr Rusca will be performing my surgeries.

Surgical Markings
I stood up for the surgical markings for my body work, I don't really remember this part very so I have no idea if I was given meds. This part is very hazy. I may have been given something to relax me, I have no idea. I don't recall ever being nervous at this point, even when standing half-naked in front of a camera crew and having a Sharpie marking the areas where I would need tissue excised and where the fat needed to be removed.

I got back in bed and then as the camera crew was talking to Marc and getting ready to film, Dr. McLeod started the liquid sedative so I would fall fast sleep. I started feeling groggy, FAST. Having felt this sensation before, I called out to Marc and the film crew all nonchalantly, "Excuse me guys, I am being knocked out now so you'd better get over here." Marc came over and held my hand. He told me he loved me, and I him. I don't recall anything else.

And I especially don't remember taking this pic with Marc. I don't know about you, but I think look loaded in the photo to the right.

Anesthetized & Prepped For Surgery
After I was asleep, they wheeled me into the O.R., intubated me and after being sure I was stabilized they inserted a catheter. I'd be under anesthesia for about 7.5 hours so a catheter was necessary, not to mention they needed to compare my saline infusion to my urine output. Marc, and the film crew were only allowed to enter once these steps were complete and it was positive I was stable and my genitals were covered.

After Dr. McLeod gave the go ahead, the film crew came in and after everyone was in place, the surgery began...

Surgery Begins
Dr. McLeod could see my face and pay attention to my vitals to adjust the anesthesia, if necessary. They began by cleaning my tissue with pHisoHex, a hexachlorophene topical soap, to lower my chances of an infection. Dr. Rusca uses pHisoHex instead of Betadine because he and more people that you'd think are allergic to Betadine.

Dr. Rusca prepared my body for lipo by infusing my abdomen area with tumescent fluid which contains normal saline, Lidocaine and epinephrine (left). Dr. Rusca then removed the fat for my fat grafting first to get the best harvest (right).

Tony then prepped the fat graft to increase the chances of longevity (below). He removed the blood, and washed the fat cells with saline did a few other steps (I'll have to ask to find out exactly).

Here are pics of Tony treating the fat (pic 1); the fat being gently washed in saline (pic 2); and also of the finished, treated fat next to the aspirated fat in the lipo receptacle (pic 3).

After this was done the fat, they began my lipo then breast surgery so we'll skip that part (unless you are interested you can see these journals by visiting my About Me section for links.)

Brow Lift
Here is my chance to look like Stephen King's Carrie on prom night. I was actually more anxious about this procedure than any other. My hair is fine and thin and I am afraid of losing hair, or the scar being visible, etc. Also, I have included my famous, Miss Rotten.com 2004 centerfold. Just kidding, but it is a gross photo with me with my eyes open again. Apparently I like to open my eyes throughout surgery. I look like a dead clown with that blood-red hair. How gross. Thanks Marc.

Dr. Rusca started off by sectioning my hair and drawing the planned line of incision with a Sharpie marker. He then injected my scalp with Lidocaine and epinephrine. He then made incisions in my scalp as planned. BTW the markings on my nose were to show the camera crew the natural curve of a brow and how it pertains to the nose.


surgical markings & injections	ready to start	Dissection & excisions begins	Excuse me waiter, there's a hair in my soup


the other side now	all sutured up	finished & opening my eyes again. Eww.

Now wasn't that the most unflattering photo ever?? I had to show it to you because you will now see how gross I can look, lol! Okay on to the fat grafting...

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