Mel

My Story

I had been considering a lower facelift for quite some time, and with my 50th birthday approaching, I really wanted to look and feel my absolute best. It felt like the perfect milestone to take that step and invest in myself. Making the decision wasn’t easy, but I’m so glad I went for it! The whole experience has been so rewarding.

I had previously undergone Breast Augmentation with MYA and had a fantastic experience from start to finish. I was thrilled with the results, so choosing MYA again was an easy decision. Their aftercare is excellent, which made me feel safe and confident throughout the entire process.

How was your consultation?

When it came to my surgeon consultation, Dr. Hamadeh was fantastic. He made me feel completely at ease right away, and I instantly knew I wanted him to perform my surgery. As a facial expert, he was very knowledgeable, and we had an open conversation about my goals and expectations. He was honest about what results I could realistically expect, which I think is so important with any surgery. Dr. Hamadeh was excellent at managing my expectations, and I also trusted that he would deliver a very natural-looking outcome.

How did you prepare for surgery?

I stopped taking all my vitamins, supplements, and HRT two weeks before surgery, as advised by my surgeon. I also avoided alcohol and focused on eating as healthily as possible to make sure my body was in the best shape going into it. On the practical side, I made sure everything at home was sorted—my kids were taken care of, my husband was available to pick me up, and I had support lined up for the first two weeks, especially with things like school runs and day-to-day help.

How was your recovery?

My recovery was definitely challenging—I’m not going to lie! It’s a process, and there were moments of panic during the first week. Thankfully, MYA was amazing at calming my worries, and Dr. Hamadeh personally reassured me that everything was healing as it should. The aftercare at MYA is outstanding—I saw the nurse a week after surgery and several times afterward to make sure everything was on track. They also have a 24-hour nurse line you can call if you have any concerns.

It wasn’t so much painful as it was uncomfortable, and seeing your face swollen and bruised can be quite a shock. That’s why having good support is so important. After two weeks, I was out and about with makeup on, but I still have some swelling and numbness three months later, which can last up to a year. It’s important to understand this is a long journey—but the results are absolutely worth it!

What would you say to someone that is worried about the scar?

Definitely take the time to look at your surgeon’s previous work, especially when it comes to scarring. My results have been incredible—you can’t see any scars at all. One of the reasons I chose Dr. Hamadeh was because he’s known for his discreet, barely-there scarring. Also, it’s so important to follow your surgeon’s post-op instructions carefully. I stuck to the guidelines exactly, and I truly believe that made a big difference in my recovery.

What do you feel is different now following your procedure? 

I just came back from an influencer holiday, where people are always snapping photos. For the first time ever, I wasn’t worried about someone catching my side profile and that dreaded double chin showing up in pictures! In fact, I took plenty of photos looking to the side because I absolutely love my new profile. It really boosted my confidence—especially being surrounded by so many stunning, young influencers!

Were your family/friends supportive? 

Yes, everyone was incredibly supportive—they all knew it was something I’d felt self-conscious about for a long time. My husband did have some reservations at first; he’s always thought I was perfect as I was, and he generally doesn’t believe in having surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary. But he also understood how much this meant to me. He knew how self-conscious I was, especially about my neck, and once he saw that I was going with MYA and in safe hands, he was completely on board.

Did you have anyone that was opinionated about the fact you were having surgery and in what way positive/negative?

To be honest, I didn’t tell many people beforehand, simply because I knew everyone would have their own opinions. Sometimes it’s just easier to follow your own instincts and do what feels right for you, without the noise. Since opening up and sharing my story with my 300k followers, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. I was really nervous to put it out there—I genuinely expected some negativity but instead, I was met with so much love and support. What’s been most incredible is seeing how many women related to my experience. So many have reached out to say they’ve considered the same procedure or something similar that’s been bothering them. It’s been truly empowering.

Why do you feel it’s important for people to talk openly about their cosmetic surgery procedure?

In my line of work, honesty is really important—especially since I promote skincare and wellness. I always want to be transparent with my followers. There’s absolutely no shame in having cosmetic procedures if it helps you feel more confident, and thankfully, the response when I shared my experience has been overwhelmingly positive.