“I Still Don’t Recognize Myself”: Woman’s $15K Facelift Results Break The Internet

A 50-year-old from TikTok has become the internet’s newest beauty icon thanks to a facelift journey that turned her into a full-blown viral sensation.

Michelle Wood, who posts under the handle @michellewood165 on TikTok, has captivated millions after sharing a raw, step-by-step look into her cosmetic surgery recovery. 

With frequent updates, honest reflections, and jaw-dropping before-and-after shots, Michelle owned her transformation. Now, she has quite literally become the face of aging on your own terms.

Michelle’s journey began with a single, earnest video

Close-up of a woman showing her face after a facelift, highlighting the natural skin texture and healing process.

Image credits: michellewood165

When Michelle first revealed on TikTok that she was getting a deep plane facelift in Guadalajara, Mexico, her tone was calm and candid. 

She stated that she wanted to do some cosmetic surgery to “look more refreshed.”

@michellewood165#over50tiktok#facelift#over50women#faceliftjourney#faceliftjourney#medicaltourismmexico♬ original sound – michellewood165

TikTok users were very supportive of her decision to change her looks, with many commenting on how youthful she sounded despite her age.

Netizens were shocked at Michelle’s follow-up posts. From her Day 1 recovery update, netizens were already floored by the results of her deep plane facelift.

Before and after photos showing a woman's facelift transformation trending online after people see her look before surgery.

Image credits: michellewood165

Michelle’s face was still swollen at that point, but it was evident that her doctor, Dr. Maribel Belmontes, did a fantastic job.

It did not take long before netizens were gushing about how great she looked.

“You look like a young Amanda Bynes,” one commenter on TikTok wrote.

User comment stating “It's worth the price, she looks stunning” by Emem Rogong on a Facebook-style platform.

Comment praising a woman’s facelift results, noting the huge difference and mentioning people doing botox at a young age.

“You look 20 years younger,” added another.

“This is the best facelift I’ve ever seen,” another commenter stated.

She had several cosmetic procedures, and the cost shocked social media

Woman's facelift recovery on day one showing swelling and surgical tape after cosmetic procedure.

Image credits: photo

Michelle later revealed that she underwent a deep plane facelift, a forehead lift, neck lift, and lip lift. She also got a small chin implant. 

These procedures allowed her to completely reverse her aging and change her appearance.

Close-up images of a woman’s facelift recovery showing sutures and healing progress on day 5 post-surgery.

Image credits: michellewood165

In a TikTok video posted June 22, about 20 to 24 days after her surgery, Michelle confessed that even she is still not used to her new look. 

This was because she struggled with weight issues when she was younger, according toE! News.

@michellewood165#over50tiktok#over50women#facelift#faceliftjourney#medicaltourismmexico#deepplanefacelift♬ original sound – michellewood165

“I still don’t recognize myself. I think a part of that has to do with how I’ve never looked like this. Even when I was in my 20s, I didn’t look like this because I was always very, very obese,” Michelle said.

Michelle stated that the total cost of her transformation came to around US $15,000.

Side-by-side photos of a woman’s facelift showing before and after results with visible bruising post-surgery

Image credits: drafacelift

This amount covered her cosmetic procedures, food, aftercare, transportation, and a 10-day stay at a recovery center with round-the-clock nursing.

Overall, the costs of her cosmetic surgery were “very, very reasonable,” Michelle said.

Michelle’s healing process became TikTok’s favorite glow-up story

Side-by-side photos showing a woman's facelift transformation highlighting changes before and after surgery.

Image credits: drafacelift

By day 15, Michelle’s jawline was snatched, her eyes were brighter, and her lip lift had softened her expression. Her social media followers were stunned.

“This is the best non-celebrity facelift I’ve ever seen,” one user wrote.

“Jaw…dropped!!! You look unbelievable!!!” wrote another.

Woman's facelift reaction comment praising improvement and thanking plastic surgeons for the transformation and results.

Comment from Yen Hoang praising the bargain and great outcome of a woman's facelift procedure.

Even her surgeon posted Michelle’s before-and-after photos on her own Instagram page.

After Michell’s TikTok videos went viral, some critics questioned if she was using AI or beauty filters.

“That’s literally impossible, right? That’s a filter,” one critic wrote on X.

Woman smiling after facelift, wearing glasses with shoulder-length brown hair and a bright pink top in casual setting.

Image credits: michellewood165

“If you think this is real, then you are actually crazy,” another critic wrote.

Michelle quickly shut down her critics’ allegations by filming in multiple lighting conditions and making videos with no makeup.

Deep plane facelifts are changing the way people think about aging

Woman recovering from facelift surgery with visible healing wounds and medical tape on face, sharing her transformation story.

Image credits: michellewood165

According to the University of California San Francisco’s Facial Plastic Surgery Division, deep plane facelifts go beyond surface-level skin tightening.

The procedure lifts the deeper layers of the face, including muscles and fat pads, leading to a more natural result.

With deep plane facelifts, patients do not get an overly pulled look. They do not get any tight skin effects either. 

@michellewood165#over50tiktok#facelift#over50women#faceliftjourney#medicaltourismmexico#deepplanefacelift#necklift @Dra Maribel Belmontes ♬ original sound – michellewood165

The end result is just a softer, lifted version of their natural face. UCSF explained that the effects of deep plane facelifts can turn back the clock by five years, or perhaps even more.

Michelle’s results are definitely at the latter end of the UCSF’s estimate.

Netizens had strong reactions to Michelle’s stunning transformation

Screenshot of a tweet discussing a woman’s facelift making her look 30 years younger, sparking online interest.

Image credits: AbigailJoyFloat

Tweet by luxury influencer luxebarbie_ mentioning booking appointments for 2060, related to woman’s facelift breaking the internet.

Image credits: luxebarbie_

A woman sharing her facelift journey, sparking online buzz after revealing her before and after transformation.

Image credits: cinnamondcoke

Tweet from showerskittles stating Her face wasn't only lifted it got raptured in response to a comment about woman's facelift transformation.

Image credits: showerskittles

Tweet praising a woman’s facelift results, highlighting her beauty before and after and expressing support for her happiness.

Image credits: sarahttay

Tweet by Ruben S Barrera encouraging a woman's facelift, stating all the stress was worth it for the facial transformation.

Image credits: RubenChago

Tweet screenshot showing a user commenting on a woman’s facelift, saying it took 20 years off her face.

Image credits: Samieams

Tweet showing a reaction to a woman's facelift that breaks the internet after people discover her before look.

Image credits: model_daughters

Tweet from Briana Shanee stating she looks like a young Amanda Bynes in a reply on social media about woman's facelift.

Image credits: hottiebillion

Woman's facelift reaction on social media as people express shock over her before and after appearance.

Image credits: preettyylexx

Tweet criticizing a woman's facelift, questioning if the surgery caused a deformity after her transformation was revealed.

Image credits: Guacamole_Hater

Tweet discussing a woman’s facelift and reactions after people saw what she looked like before the procedure.

Image credits: Jooberloober

Tweet screenshot showing user commenting on a woman’s facelift, describing her appearance as good but uncanny and odd.

Image credits: xx_Tynehya_xx

User's tweet text reading she looks deformed now tho on a white social media interface, discussing woman's facelift reaction online.

Image credits: s4m31p4n

Woman's facelift reaction tweet, user expressing disbelief, questioning if transformation is a filter or real change.

Image credits: chicfryrice

Woman's facelift sparks online buzz after revealing dramatic transformation from her before appearance.

Image credits: Hotpinkkt

Tweet by user pimpcess commenting on patriarchy, displayed in a social media interface with timestamp June 25, 2025.

Image credits: xolisileeeee

Tweet discussing societal pressure on aging women and mentioning a woman's facelift transformation before and after.

Image credits: JamesFluker

Tweet discussing mental health concerns related to woman's facelift and the pursuit of an unstartling face.

Image credits: MoreOrLessAMess

Screenshot of a Twitter reply discussing the unsettling reality of women's facelifts and societal pressure on appearance.

Image credits: eternalcumslimz

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