You’re listening to the Confident Choice Podcast with me, Dr. Roberto Garcia, a double board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Honest conversations and expert advice about the decisions that make you feel your best.
Dr. Garcia:
Welcome, everybody, to The Confident Choice. I’m your host, Dr. Roberto Garcia, and we are now filming Episode 10. Today, we’re going to talk a little bit about the emotional impact. And I have one of my most favorite people here. No offense to all my patients—but Jackie, you and I have been friends for a while, and I’m so thrilled and honored to have you on. You’ve been incredibly supportive of our practice, and you just seem to have done everything right.
Jackie:
Well, I had help. Truly, it starts with your staff, and then it’s you—you are Dr. Roberto Garcia. You’re fantastic. Okay, I’m done with the compliments—now let’s get into it.
Yes, ask me lots of questions. Let’s get to the crux of it.
Dr. Garcia:
The podcast was really designed as an informational base that people can use to make sound decisions. You know we’re very detailed and informative, and we want our patients to become experts. So, when you were first considering doing something, what drove you?
Jackie:
I looked tired. My body felt amazing—I felt 35—but when I looked in the mirror from the side, I saw gravity taking over. I said, “Oh my gosh, I’ve got to do something.”
I called my mother and told her I was getting a facelift. She said, “You’re beautiful. You don’t need one.” I said, “I’m getting one.”
I remember coming to you and saying, “I’m not sure I need anything,” thinking you’d send me home. Instead, you said, “Jackie, we can do this.” I told you I needed to think about it—I never make decisions immediately. I went home, thought about it for about 20 minutes, called the office, and said, “Sign me up.”
I wasn’t afraid. I was healthy, eating right, working with a nutritionist, and preparing for this. I knew I’d have a good recovery.
Dr. Garcia:
And then you said, “Why don’t you tell everyone what I did?”
Jackie:
Yes! I had work done on my chin, a tuck, and my upper area. I even had staples—I was more nervous about those coming out than anything. But they didn’t hurt at all.
Honestly, people worry about recovery, but for me, it was just one night where my head felt heavy. I had prepared mentally and physically, and my results look natural—that’s what I wanted. I didn’t want to look “done.”
Someone recently told me I look the same as I did 20 years ago. I said, “I had face work.” They were shocked—but I tell people. I think it’s important.
Dr. Garcia:
That’s such an important point. Early in my career, people didn’t want to talk about it. I’d ask to use before-and-after photos and often heard “no.” But when social media became mainstream, that changed. People became proud of their decisions.
Let’s go back—was your decision influenced by others?
Jackie:
Not at all. It was about how I felt. I’m not competitive in that way. I didn’t want to look like someone else—I wanted to look like myself. I just wanted to feel happy when I looked in the mirror.
Dr. Garcia:
That aligns with what we’ve talked about before—the impetus is often, “I’m tired of seeing something I don’t like.” It’s a personal decision.
I recently had a patient call it “superficial,” and it made me reflect. Early in my career, I did trauma work and felt I was making a major impact. When I transitioned into cosmetic surgery, I questioned that. But then I met patients like you and realized—it is incredibly meaningful.
Jackie:
I’ve always been a happy, confident person—but I feel refreshed now. Maybe even a little happier. When I get dressed and look in the mirror, I think, “Wow, I look good.”
Dr. Garcia:
Did you ever feel regret during recovery?
Jackie:
Never. Not even once. I went in with a positive attitude and came out the same way.
Dr. Garcia:
Let’s talk about recovery—people always want to know.
Jackie:
I was off medication after two days. I didn’t drive, but I wore a hat and went out. I had minimal bruising. I even went to the grocery store and worked on my computer.
People worry they’ll be down for 10 days—but I wasn’t. I credit my nutrition and preparation. My body was ready, and I healed beautifully.
Dr. Garcia:
We never really learned nutrition in medical school—but what I saw with you changed my perspective.
Jackie:
I followed everything: protein, no red meat, lots of pineapple and blueberries, fish, chicken, no alcohol leading up to surgery. I prepared.
Dr. Garcia:
Because of that, we’re now implementing a pre-surgical nutrition program based on your example.
Jackie:
That’s so important. Patients should be given guidance—what to do before surgery to set themselves up for success.
Dr. Garcia:
Your body performs based on what you put into it. I see a clear difference between patients who prepare and those who don’t.
Jackie:
And exercise matters. I do Pilates, strength training, and walking. I’m 66, and I stay active. Even if it’s just a couple times a week—do something.
Dr. Garcia:
I’ve seen patients undergo surgery and then completely transform their lifestyle—it’s like a reset.
Jackie:
Imagine if they did that before.
Dr. Garcia:
Exactly. But more patients now are coming in already focused on self-improvement.
Jackie:
And I remember asking you about my eyes—you told me no.
Dr. Garcia:
Because it wasn’t right for you.
Jackie:
And I loved that. You could have said yes—but you didn’t.
Dr. Garcia:
That’s critical. A physician needs to identify the patient’s concern—not create new ones. You’re the one who lives with your results every day—not me.
Jackie:
And that’s what makes your practice special.
Dr. Garcia:
Before we close, I want to share something my father taught me. Growth is a micro-movement. Nothing meaningful happens overnight. It’s about small, consistent progress—learning from mistakes and continuing forward.
Jackie:
That’s true in business too. You learn from every failure.
Dr. Garcia:
Absolutely.
Jackie:
And one last thing—just because you have a great facelift doesn’t mean you stop taking care of your skin. That’s so important.
Dr. Garcia:
Completely agree.
Jackie:
I keep it simple—moisturizer, SPF, minimal makeup. And yes, I have sunspots—but they tell a story.
Dr. Garcia:
Each one tells a story.
Jackie:
Thank you—it’s been an honor to be here.
Dr. Garcia:
Thank you so much. This concludes Episode 10. Next week, we’ll talk about revision surgery—what it is and what to avoid.
And I’ll sign off with our famous line:
With good information comes great decisions.
Thanks, everybody—have a great week.
Under the direction of visionary double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Roberto Garcia, Contoura Facial Plastic Surgery offers the latest surgical and non-surgical procedures in a relaxed and serene setting. Schedule a virtual or in-person consultation today to get the first glimpse of your future self.
230 A1A N, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082