‘RHONJ’ Alum Kathy Wakile Details Facelift Recovery: ‘Simply About Restoring’

Kathy Wakile is getting real about going under the knife.

In a video shared to Instagram on Wednesday, The Real Housewives of New Jersey alum revealed that she was back home and recovering after undergoing a facelift.

“Hi friends, I’m a few hours post-op and back home, comfortable, resting and not in any pain,” Wakile, 60, wrote alongside the June 24 post, which saw her bandaged and bruised. “I’m a little sleepy, as expected, and will be taking it easy for the next few days.”

The total procedure included a neck and lower facelift, as well as a brow lift and lower blepharoplasty on her eyelids. As for what inspired her decision to alter her appearance, Wakile said for her, it’s “simply about restoring and refreshing what time has naturally changed.”

“This isn’t about changing the face I’ve known and loved for 60 years, it’s simply about restoring and refreshing what time has naturally changed,” the former reality star shared. “I’ve chosen to share this journey openly because I know so many people are curious about the process and may be considering something similar themselves.”

Wakile, who starred on the hit Bravo reality show for seasons three through five before appearing as a “friend of,” went on to thank her surgical team, Dr. T. Y. Steven Ip and Melissa Locke, in the post, for “taking such wonderful care” of her, and keeping her reassured throughout the entire process.

“[You were] so gentle and reassuring throughout the entire process. I’m incredibly grateful to be in such caring hands,” Wakile wrote. “Thank you all for the love, support, and well wishes ♥️.”

The decision to get the procedures came after Wakile’s 60th birthday, with the mother of two writing in a pre-surgery post that she wanted to publicly embrace her decision to get a facelift.

“Can we normalize supporting one another instead of judging one another for the choices we make about our own bodies?” she said in a June 23 video shared to Instagram. “What makes someone feel confident and comfortable in their own skin is their decision alone.”

While Wakile appeared swollen from the surgery, she assured followers in her June 24 video that she felt “no pain,” and was doing “great.”

“Here I am home, post-op, and feeling no pain,” Wakile went on to explain. “Everything went well, and I’m excited. I haven’t taken any pain meds ’cause I don’t have any pain. You can see I’m speaking just fine and I feel great.”

Wakile is the latest bravolebrity to go under the knife, including Caroliine Stanbury and Tamra Judge, who also opened up their experience with elective procedures.