I had incisions in front of and behind each ear plus one underneath chin. Have seen my PS three times and he says the lumps and hardness is scar tissue and will go away. I read that same info on line but it just scares me. Recommendation was to massage tenderly. Wore the neck/headwrap for 10 days per Dr instructions. I guess I just worry about things going wrong. Reputable Dr. but wanted to know if anyone else experienced this. At least you didn't but mine was a complete separation of the skin from muscle to tighten up skin.

I disagree with dlm's derm. Prescription strength retin a creams/gels do help eliminate fine lines and improve the texture of skin. It has been shown to improve sun damaged skin. It wont work for sagging skin though. About 3 years ago, I had lipo done under my chin. I am not over weight by any means but did have this little bit of fat collect there. The lipo took out the fat but left the skin a bit loose (I was 56) I had a series of radio frequency treatments done and it helped shrink the skin. I have treatments done once a year now to help maintain my skin. The treatment stimulates the body to produce collagen. Finals results are 4-6 months after last session. Might not work for everyone, depends on the health of your skin, but works well for me. That is one area I find really ages a woman, next is the hands. . ..

Exactly squirrel! That is how our doctor works! He would do an exam, studies, etc. and then determine IF we needed to see someone else. He is very good about that. I think it cuts down on alot of unnecessary visits to specialists, etc. And I feel so much more comfortable with my own doctor who knows us and history so well. I also though the radiologist is who would read the x-rays, scans, ect. I trust our internist. Also, in regards to cost, it would only cost me $25 to see my internist, lab work, x-rays, scans, etc. would be no cost. A visit to a specialist would be $30, so even if I saw both, it would cost me very little. I would think it would be a waste of a surgeon's time if it were something minor such as a sprain, arthritis, etc. My internist is also very willing to work with specialists, and therapists. He would not send me to PT without knowing that was what I needed. He can also do injections (cortisone, etc.), if needed, although I have never had that done. My problem was minor and did not need a surgeon. I'm not saying yours is. tina

I think most of us have done things for cosmetic reasons at one time or another. Teeth straightening, lasik, mole removal, wart removal are often done for cosmetic reasons rather than health although often the reasons overlap. I think cosmetic surgery is great for someone who really has an issue that has always bothered them for most of their life. It's great for reconstructive purposes also. I can understand people wanting to change something that they were born with that detracts from their looks like huge ears or a crooked nose etc. I can also see having surgery for something that makes it hard to wear things. Big breasts or huge arms for example. I would have arm surgery if they ever came up with a way to do it with less scarring. Right now the scars from that surgery are almost as bad as the arms. from what I've read most end up covering the scars with long sleeves. So what's the point? I'd love to be able to wear short sleeves and go sleeveless and wear clothes that don't bind. But cosmetic surgery to fit in with the fashionable face of the day or to take away natural aging I would never do. It's not worth the risk of anesthesia.