This story is based on an interview with Ariel Grunberg, 72, a semi-retired real estate owner and manager from New York City. It has been edited for length and clarity.
My eyes bothered me the most as I got older. I always felt they were drooping too much, and if I didn’t do anything about them, they would cover my vision.
One of the turning points was attending a presentation when the speaker had eyes similar to mine and peered upward in an exaggerated way.
I remember thinking, “Why doesn’t he get them fixed?” Sure enough, when I saw him again, I noticed that he’d had his eyelids lifted. You could see a lot more of his eyes, and he no longer had that mannerism of looking up.
In February 2026, I consulted the New York cosmetic surgeon, Dr. John Layliev, who came highly recommended, to discuss my options. He suggested eye surgery and a brow lift.
As we got talking, I mentioned how much I didn’t like my turkey neck, which made me think about my age.
People had remarked about how young and fit I looked — I did triathlons, including a half IronMan — but I was still self-conscious.
The total cost was around $60K
In the end, we settled on a deep plane facelift, neck lift, brow lift, lower blepharoplasty procedure, facial fat grafting, and fat-based liquid rhinoplasty.
I thought that, if I were under anesthesia anyway, I might as well get more than my eyes and brow done. The total cost was around $60,000.
My girlfriend was supportive, but I only told my two daughters about two weeks beforehand. I suspected they’d say I didn’t need it, but they said it was up to me.
I’m not the nervous type, so I wasn’t worried ahead of the operation on July 31. It took around eight hours, and I stayed in the hospital overnight.
My face felt very stiff afterward, which I’d expected. I had a spinal surgery a year earlier, and my body had temporarily stiffened, too.
There is less of a stigma about men having cosmetic surgery
There was very little pain or puffiness, but I stayed inside for three weeks, though it probably wasn’t necessary.
I’m not very good at keeping secrets, and I thought there was no point. There is less of a stigma these days about men and cosmetic surgery.
In fact, I told everyone who cared to listen.
I think the results are exceptional, as I don’t have as many wrinkles or as much facial drooping. I recently visited a new dentist, who said I looked 50. A taxi driver guessed my age at 55.
My younger brother used to joke with restaurant waiters when we were together that I was his dad. He can’t do that anymore, and it’s a good thing.
I’m considering veneers
I know 72 is relatively mature for a facelift, but I feel I’m less likely to need another one in the future. I’m considering veneers on my teeth, but I’ll leave it at that.
I didn’t go ahead with the surgery for my girlfriend, but she is delighted by my rejuvenated look. The feeling is certainly mutual.
Read the original article on Business Insider
The post I’m a 72-year-old grandfather and spent $60,000 on a facelift and other cosmetic procedures. People now think I’m in my 50s. appeared first on Business Insider.
