A New York woman is speaking out about how advanced plastic surgery and a skilled surgeon helped her recover from a failed facelift that once left her unable to close her eye.
Allison, 67, a retired nurse, first underwent cosmetic surgery years ago in hopes of improving her appearance. Unfortunately, she chose a low-cost option and ended up facing serious complications.
“I left saying, ‘Never again. This is never happening again,’” Allison told PEOPLE. “After the facelift, I couldn’t close one of my eyes. I was told it was due to Botox. It took three months to restore it, and during that time, I had to wear an eye patch and keep it constantly lubricated.”
Disappointed and discouraged, Allison refused to accept the outcome. She eventually turned to Dr. Oren Tepper, a well-known plastic surgeon in New York City who had been recommended by a friend.
From her very first consultation, Allison says she felt confident. “I trusted him immediately,” she says.
Her goal wasn’t to look younger than her age, but simply to look like a refreshed version of herself. “I didn’t want to look 20 or 30. I just wanted to look 67 — naturally,” she explained. “I’m not a movie star or a Kardashian. I need to look my age. My face has to match my body.”
Dr. Tepper reviewed Allison’s case and found that the previous facelift hadn’t been sufficient. “She had taken a step toward surgery but didn’t feel she looked much better,” he said.
His approach included a more thorough facelift, skin resurfacing, and volume restoration through fat grafting. He took fat from Allison’s thighs and used it to restore volume in her cheeks, under her eyes, and in her temples — areas that had become hollow over time.
Dr. Tepper used his signature “boomerang lift” technique, designed to add fat in a curved shape that mimics youthful contours. He explained that fat grafting using a patient’s own cells is more natural and often longer-lasting than artificial fillers.
“Allison had no major underlying health conditions — her facial volume loss was just her natural anatomy,” he said. “Restoring that volume had a powerful effect. She looked much older than she was, but the fat grafting made a huge difference.”
The surgery lasted four hours and went smoothly. Allison said her recovery was also better than expected, with swelling lasting just a few weeks and fully gone within two months.
“I wasn’t in a rush to go out, but even if I had, no one would care. This is New York — no one looks at you,” she joked.
Throughout the process, Allison’s family stood by her, especially her husband. Dr. Tepper praised his involvement, saying, “They really went through the journey together.”
But for Allison, the decision was deeply personal. “My husband would love me no matter what,” she said. “But I did this for me, because I was sad. Now, I’ll age gracefully. I’m truly satisfied — it was an amazing experience, and I look my age.”
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