I had lived for a long time with a crooked nose after injuring it in my twenties. It did not bother me much, but after falling last year and injuring it again, even suffering a fracture, I became more conscious of its shape. At 55, my face has naturally begun to age, and compared with before, I notice more drooping under my eyes and an overall loss of facial firmness. I was particularly concerned that I looked tired under the eyes and that my facial contours looked more sagged when I took photos or looked in the mirror.
At first I thought only about my nose, but this time I decided to consult about rhinoplasty, lower eyelid surgery, facelift, and neck lift together, considering harmony across my whole face. I spent a great deal of time deliberating before deciding on plastic surgery. I worried about having several areas operated on at age 55, whether the change could be as natural as I wanted, and whether I could recover well.
After much deliberation, I decided to have surgery at [Clinic A]. What I liked most during the consultation was that I could speak separately with a doctor specializing in noses and doctors specializing in lower eyelid surgery and facelifts, rather than having one doctor perform every procedure. Most importantly, they did not view my concerns merely as areas to operate on. They listened fully and empathized with why I had begun considering surgery. The coordinator also explained everything kindly and checked each question and concern with me, which made me feel much more at ease.
Through consultations with each doctor, I was able to clarify once again what I wanted. Because I have injured my nose several times, I want a nose that harmonizes naturally with my whole face while properly correcting the crooked areas, rather than simply making it high and attractive. For my lower eyelids, I want my tired-looking expression to become cleaner. For the facelift, I want a natural change that refines my facial contours and makes me look more lively while preserving the feeling of my current face as much as possible, rather than pulling it excessively and making it look unnatural.
It was also important to me that an anesthesiologist is permanently present. I was concerned about safety since several areas would be operated on, so I felt more reassured knowing anesthesia would be professionally managed. I do not want to look unconditionally younger or have a completely different face. I hope that, while preserving as much as possible the individuality and naturalness of my face at 55, the parts that have bothered me in the mirror will gradually improve.
I still feel tense and afraid rather than excited because surgery is ahead. However, after thinking carefully and consulting sufficiently, I hope for the most natural and safe result suited to me. Through this surgery, I want to show myself that even at 55, I can still make a new choice for myself. I would like to record honestly everything from how I look now before surgery, through recovery, to the changes afterward.