I paid $102,000 for a facelift at 71. I wish I could have done it a decade ago, but I couldn't afford it.

Carolyn Rudolph in clinic pictures before and after her facelift. Courtesy of Dr. Carl Truesdale.

Carolyn Rudolph waited until she was 71 to have a full facelift that cost over $100,000.

She said she couldn't have paid for it in her 60s, but wishes she'd been able to have it earlier.

The great-grandmother is pleased with the results, but said some of her friendships had changed.

This interview is based on a conversation with Carolyn Rudoph, 73, retired Army personnel and postal supervisor, from Louisville, Kentucky. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I always kept myself in shape by going to the gym , maintaining a size 6, and having a pretty good figure.

However, when I reached 63, people would walk behind me on the street, walk past, and look back.…