At 65, This Woman Had 6-Hour Plastic Surgery After She Stopped Recognizing Herself – Her Before & After Photos

Lisa never imagined the right surgeon would be just a few hours from home, not on the coasts. With her daughter's help and a plan in place, she underwent a nine-procedure transformation in a single day. Almost a year later, she's not only turning heads but answering bold questions from total strangers.

Lisa had no hesitation about plastic surgery as a concept. She'd spoken openly about it since her thirties. But making the actual decision took decades. By the time she reached her sixties, she knew the moment had come. The tipping point came one evening when she caught her reflection and felt a deep disconnect.

With the help of her daughter and a renowned facial plastic surgeon, she underwent a suite of procedures that not only changed her appearance but redefined how she felt about herself. Ten months post-op, she boldly shared the story behind the transformation that's earned reactions ranging from awe to admiration.

From Hesitation to Action

By the time Lisa turned 60, the idea of plastic surgery had moved from a long-held intention to serious planning. Though she felt she had aged well, changes in her appearance became more noticeable. One evening, she looked in the mirror and didn't recognize the face staring back.

That moment made the decision feel urgent. Living in Iowa, she assumed she'd need to travel to Los Angeles to find the right surgeon. But when she asked one of her daughters for help researching doctors, the suggestion came from much closer to home.

Her daughter had been following Dr. Laxmeesh Mike Nayak on social media, a facial plastic surgeon based in St. Louis, Missouri. Lisa reviewed his before-and-after photos and liked what she saw.

She submitted her information and set up a virtual consultation. After the call, she experienced a brief moment of uncertainty but ultimately felt confident moving forward. The timing felt right, the surgeon felt right, and she trusted that everything would fall into place.

The Nine-Procedure Operation

In June 2024, the then 65-year-old Lisa traveled from Iowa to Missouri for the surgery. It was only on the day of the operation that she met Dr. Nayak in person for the first time. By that point, everything had been arranged remotely, including the consultation and planning. The procedure would be performed at Nayak Plastic Surgery in St. Louis.

Lisa's operation involved nine facial procedures completed in a single six-hour session. The list included a deep plane facelift, deep neck lift, brow lift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, lip lift, earlobe reductions, fat transfer, and full-face CO2 laser resurfacing. Dr. Nayak also added age-appropriate lip filler to the bottom lip only.

He performed the laser treatment during the same session to consolidate recovery time and reduce overall downtime. He later explained that Lisa's face appeared "contracted" before the surgery, with volume not only shifting downward but also pulling inward.

Her facial features, particularly in the lower half of her face, had become compressed. Instead of adding volume, he focused on repositioning existing structures. "She has fantastic cheekbone and jawbone structure," he said. "All I had to do was just reveal [them], not even augment or improve… just reveal it."

He also emphasized that the direction of lift is not always upward. It varies depending on the individual. In Lisa's case, the lift moved both up and outward to open her face and restore definition to her features. After the procedure, Lisa didn't head straight home.

Recovery in St. Louis

Patients who undergo surgery with Dr. Nayak typically remain in St. Louis for two to three weeks after the procedure. During this time, the clinical team monitors the healing process and ensures patients receive the necessary support. Lisa followed the same routine, staying nearby under observation during the early recovery phase.

She described the immediate aftermath of surgery as physically manageable but emotionally variable. Swelling and bruising were expected, and she experienced both. "Your face is swollen, you're bruised, you're [experiencing] highs and lows emotionally," she said.

But despite the extent of the work, Lisa reported feeling no pain. "Never any pain whatsoever, and people can't believe that," she said. "Some discomfort, but no pain."

Dr. Nayak had previously explained that patients are typically not "presentable" for the first few weeks due to visible signs of recovery. Lisa's experience aligned with that timeline, but the process was smooth. She credited the surgical team and the recovery process for helping her get through those initial weeks with confidence.

Once her time in St. Louis was complete, Lisa returned home with clear instructions for continued care, especially around skin protection and maintenance of the surgical results.

At-Home Recovery and Lifestyle Adjustments

After her initial recovery period in St. Louis, Lisa returned to Iowa to continue healing at home. Her post-operative instructions emphasized the importance of skincare and sun protection, both crucial for preserving the surgical results.

Lisa, who already had an interest in skincare, became even more committed to it in the months that followed. For half of the year, she and her husband live in the Florida Keys, where sun exposure is constant. Rather than give up the outdoor activities she enjoyed, Lisa adapted her routine.

"We're big on offshore fishing," she shared. "I love to fish. I don't want to give that up." To balance her lifestyle with her surgeon's advice, she invested in full-coverage sun gear.

"I ended up getting this apparatus where I look absolutely ridiculous, but I am covered completely, and I go out fishing, and it hasn't affected that at all," she laughed. "But it's quite a scene to see me get on the boat!"

Her commitment to protecting the results of her surgery extended well beyond the recovery period. As she eased back into her regular routines, Lisa began receiving comments from people around her, some expected, others more surprising.

Social Responses and Public Visibility

Reactions from Lisa's immediate family were overwhelmingly positive, as they understood the importance of the transformation to her. Her husband and daughters supported her decision from the beginning and continued to affirm it after the procedure.

Outside of her immediate circle, she noticed a mix of surprise and curiosity. People she hadn't seen in some time often assumed she'd lost weight. "I think they see it in my face, but they're not really sure," she said. Others who had known she was having the surgery reacted strongly.

"They say, 'You look like Lisa, but you look super-refreshed,' and that made me feel good," she added. "I didn't wanna look different. I wanted to look like myself." The topic of her appearance tends to come up most often at cocktail parties, especially with strangers.

She shared, "I've run into a few people recently who have been brazen enough to ask me how old I am and if I've had work done." Lisa didn't mind. "I'm more than happy to answer. I'm not ashamed of what I did. I just think it's funny the way they ask."

Lisa's next visit to Dr. Nayak's office came nearly a year later, for a final check-in and minor adjustment, to complete the process.

10-Month Check-In and Surgical Outcome

In the spring of 2025, Lisa returned to Dr. Nayak's clinic in St. Louis for her 10-month follow-up. During the appointment, he added a small amount of filler to her right cheek to address a minor depression. "Everything turned out awesome," he said. "Often, we do a little fine-tuning."

Dr. Nayak described the filler as a long-lasting adjustment. "It's gonna last for years," he said, explaining that the area would typically improve over time. "Those depressions just get better over time, and this one bridges." He also reflected on Lisa's overall results.

"We gave her back 15 years, maybe 20, and she's just gonna age very naturally, very gracefully from here going forward," commented Dr. Nayak. He attributed the long-term success not just to the surgery but to Lisa's ongoing skin care and health habits.

"If you never do anything else again, you're always gonna look 20 years better than if we hadn't met," he remarked.

Lisa was thrilled with the result. "I couldn't be happier," she stated. Reflecting on the entire process, she added, "So glad I did it, so glad you did it, and I'll be back when I need another little tune-up," to which Dr. Nayak replied, "It's gonna be a long time."

The transformation sparked admiration across Dr. Nayak's social media platforms, where Lisa's before-and-after pictures were shared with a wider audience. Comments on TikTok included, "Wow, you look fantastic," "You look phenomenal ❤️," and "Wow!! Amazing!"

On Instagram, one person marveled, "Unbelievable change! Wow!!! What's the price on something like this?" while another one remarked, "Just wow❤️ such a beautiful woman." One follower commented, "She looks amazing!!! 👏👏"

Dr. Nayak, who operates out of St. Louis, Missouri, is widely regarded as a leader in the field of facial plastic surgery. He is known for his deep plane facelift and fat transfer techniques, and his work extends beyond clinical care.

In addition to performing surgeries, Dr. Nayak trains other physicians and frequently lectures at national conferences. He was once named "Clinical Professor of the Year" by residents at St. Louis University Medical School.

Patient education remains central to his practice, and he shares detailed surgical breakdowns on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Lisa's procedure was featured prominently among those examples.