Date: 4/1 8/00
Location: Beverly Hills, CA
Surgery Date: 3/21/00 (4 weeks post operative)
Procedures: vertical lift, endoscopic browlift, subperiosteal rhytidectomy, lower blepharoplasty Results, Very Pleased with results at this point in time (Dr. Calabria says it takes about 6 months
to see the finale results.)
Cost:$18,000 plus physical, chest x-ray, one night with 24 hr. nurse at Hidden Gardens ($585), medications, and herbs.
Doctor: Dr. Renato P. Calabria, MD
Beverly Hills, CA
310-777-0069
or
911 Hampshire Road, Suite I
Westlake Village, CA 91361
805-496-0611
Surgery Site: Surgical Suite, Beverly Hills, CA Consultation: free

Board Certification: I was told by his receptionist that that he almost has his certification. He needs more in the area of reconstructive surgery. He is doing plastic surgery almost exclusively due to media exposure.

Research: I've been searching for 5 years and sent for Information packets, and went to 5 consultations. The price range in LA was $6000 to $43,000. 1 was very concerned with getting that pulled back, big mouth, masked stretched look. I saw a news story with Dr. Calabria and the vertical lift procedure, and I knew it was what I wanted. I sent for his Information packet and was impressed with the contents of the packet. I reserved the surgery date the same day I made the consultation appointment.

Consultation: I was impressed with the office, the office workers, and Dr. Calabria. He was the only plastic surgeon who really looked at my face. He explained and answered all questions. He understood that I wanted my outside to reflect my inside. I looked tired, sick, and/or angry. I work out, love life, and at S3 I wanted to appear that way to others. This is where you pay 1096 to reserve your surgery date.

3/7/2000 - Two weeks before surgery, I was given instructions on taking the following: ARNICA, BROMELAIN, VITAMIN C AND RUTAGRAV. The instruction sheet is before and after surgery. I was also given instructions on medication that should not be used before surgery. I was able to purchase all of the above herbs and vitamins from Shop@AOL: Vitamin Shoppe.

3/8/2000 - Final consultation with Dr. Calabria where everything was explained in great detail for each surgery, and I signed or initialed that I understood and had read all the papers. After reading about 30 papers, Dr. Calabria went over anything I didn't understand or asked if I had any questions. For each of the four surgeries I was given detailed descriptions of the procedures and what to expect for the first two weeks after surgery. The post-surgical papers were very important to me. When I was in doubt I'd just read the papers and I was reassured. You read them before the surgery, but they are not as meaningful until it's your face and you wonder if what you are experiencing is normal. I was given prescription to bring to the surgery of Cipro (antibiotic), Norco (for pain), Compazine Suppositories (for nausea-but never needed), and Medrol Dose Pack (prednisone to reduce swelling). This is when you pay the balance of the cost.

3/9/2000 - Physical Exam, lab tests, and x-ray with my own Internist.

3/21/2000 - Surgery Day - I reported at 6.45 AM and was prepared by the nurse. The anesthesiologist and Dr. Calabria came in to say hello. The doctor took the before pictures. Dr. Calabria did some markings on my head. He only does one patient per day. The four surgeries took all day. The surgical suite looked just like a same day surgery in a major hospital. I woke up from the general very thirsty, cold, hungry, and feeling strong. I was transported to the Hidden Garden about 4:30 pm by a nurse/driver. I had 24 hr nursing care. The hotel took care of food. The nurse checked on me. She took readings, emptied the drainage plugs, and supplied me with ice. I was surprised that the swelling would make my eyes blurred. I wasn't able to read for a couple of days. I felt uncomfortable from swelling pressure, It was not very painful for me, but I know pain is relative. My husband called to make sure I was all right and to see it he could do anything for me. I'm glad my husband didn't see me the first day. The swelling and drainage plugs would have been disconcerting,

3/22/2000 - At 9.00 AM I was transported by the nurse/driver back to the surgical suite for Dr. Calabria to check on the incisions and remove the heavy bandage and put on a light bandage. The doctor said everything looked good. I was swollen, but no bruising. I was home by 10:30 AM and continued with the medication, herbs, and ice. I had a soy protein drink and soup.

3/23/2000 - I was able to remove all bandages. Dr. Calabria checked on my progress. He said the blurring was due to the swelling and the eye ointment. I had asymmetrical swelling. The left side was much more swollen than the right. I knew from the post-surgical information packets that this does happen, I am very swollen and couldn't see to read, but could make out some TV images, I prefer frozen peas instead of ice. They can be refrozen and can conform to facial contours. I alternated 4 packs of peas and iced every 20 min of every hour I was awake.

3/24/2000 - Yeah Today I could shampoo my hair. I see hair- loss in the bathtub. There's no increase In swelling, no bruises, but I'm using the frozen peas and all the medications. I had oatmeal, soy protein shake, and soup. I can see the eyes and forehead look good.

3/30/2000 - Today I look more normal. My eyes look more like me. There is a big change in the swelling. I'm walking at night,

3/31/2000 - The swelling is down more, but itching has started. I notice hair loss on my pillow and in the tub after a bath as described in the post-surgical information papers.

4/01/2000 - The same, but less swelling.

4/12/2000 - More feeling returning to the middle of my face. It's starting to feet less like a rubber mask.

4/31/2000 - The same as yesterday.

4/4/2000 - Two weeks post-operative, but not ready for friends or co-workers. Dr. Calabria removed the screws from the endoscopic browlift and the metal clips from the subperiosteal rhytidectomy (face lift). Sleeping is much more comfortable I almost look like me.

4/18/2000 - Dr. Calabria just checks to see how I'm doing and looks at the incisions. He says I'm right on schedule and heating very well. This is always good to hear from the surgeon. I am scheduled to see the doctor in two weeks and have the after pictures taken. This is four weeks after the surgery. I can be more active and fool I look good enough to be seen. I feel good and went to Salsa class. People that I see look and usually say nothing or ask if I got a haircut. I'm very happy with the results. The doctor achieved the results I wanted. I look like me, but not sick, tired, or angry. I look as happy on the outside as I am on the inside. I chose the right doctor for me. I wrote this to help others on the message board, because I was helped by reading others comments. I thank all of you, Dr. Calabria, his office worker, Beth, and Melanie I also had very good support from my husband. I needed help for the first week so I could rest and heal. Each day I see subtle changes with less swelling I have a more refined look, and I look more like I did in my thirties.

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