When it comes to my looks, I have issues thicker than September Vogue. That’s why I don’t like having my picture taken. I would rather be behind the camera than in front of it.
One of my most scarring moments in college was when a schoolmate of mine made a comment about my full cheeks. (Karma got her; she’s got the full face now.) Because no matter how skinny I was, I always had full cheeks (read: siopao face). I blame it on my love for ice-cold Coke.
Also the first time I heard I had a double chin was shocking. My sister told me.
When I studied at Parsons New York, our illustration teacher told us how small faces were an asset. Even if you were tiny, a small face can make you look taller (read: Mary Kate and Ashley) while a big face would make you look shorter (read: Oompa Loompa).
I became conscious of my face. I didn’t know then it had something to do with my Coke intake. Years later I realized that if I stopped drinking Coke for four days I actually had a smaller face. But not drinking Coke made me grumpy.
Enter 2016.
In 2015 I tried very hard not to drink Coke. But three of my friends died last year—ages 37, 50, and 50. Life is short. I don’t want to go through life without that one thing that can pick me up in an instant. How do I give up Coke? So I didn’t. My face continued to puff and age and one day I woke up and I was haggard. I dreaded looking at my face in the morning. But I didn’t know what to do about it.
One day I texted my friend Patrice who was having lunch with Cristalle Belo. She talked about a new machine Dr. Vicki Belo was launching soon. It can make your face smaller!! They sent me this before and after picture of one of Belo’s staff.
That was it. I showered and hauled my ass to Belo Greenbelt at 2 PM.
Still didn’t know what the procedure entailed but I was up for anything. I was desperate.
Dr. Belo was there to interview and assess Patrice and I.
We were given a choice to do it awake or sleeping.
Sleeping would mean we had to take blood test, get cardiac clearance, and come back when ready.
Awake means we get local anaesthesia and a squeeze ball. But I could do it that same day. I chose awake!!
From Greenbelt we transferred to the Medical Plaza building (near Makati Med) for the procedure. I was not scared at all. Dr. Belo filled us in on what would happen.
I changed into a hospital gown, hair cover, and fresh socks and walked into the operating room.
It was already evening. The OR was filled with nurses, Dr. Belo, another doctor, and a photographer.
I laid down and held a squeeze ball and a rosary.
In preparation, they injected my face maybe 50 times (not sure) with local anaesthesia. Yes it hurt!! I felt my face swelling up and I was scared. I finished one rosary. Then Patrice came in to hold my hand.
There was a TV screen which reflected the temperature of my face. They made five incisions using a long but tiny canula. This goes under the skin. It heats up and tightens the flesh under your skin, like RF (radio frequency tightening). And yes, I felt it. It felt hot under the skin and I was scared.
Good thing Patrice was there to hold my hand, while Dr. Belo and I talked about the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to pass the time.
Two hours later, I was done. And I survived!!
Next they gave me a face massage using special gloves to reduce the swelling. It felt so good!! These were the kind nurses that helped me.
They wrapped my face in bandages. By now it was 9:30 PM and we were starving. Patrice, Dinna and I had a quick McDonald’s at the clinic before heading home.
I got home at 10:30 PM, swollen and covered in bandages. My husband Jeroen opened the door and told me not to see the kids because they might get scared. So I went straight to the room.
That night I couldn’t sleep because I was itching, but no pain.
The following day my face looked like that Danboard character (read: a box), but I was OK.
I had a blowdry and stayed home. I had no pain.
(To be continued)